gardening???

I plant Japanese cucumbers in our tiny yard (between garage and neighbor's storage place) every year.  When I put strings, always feel "I am weaving".  True, isn't it?  Maybe I will put more interesting weaving structure next year.

Belgium and Holland trip

First few pictures are Gent and Brugge in Belgium.

The middle pictures are at Zijdelings  www.zijdelings.com in Tilburg. The last few pictures are in Amsterdam.  I enjoyed learning a history of the East India company(17th.century through 19th century) at the Tropen Museum.  It connects with my favorite "sarasa" (chintz?) cotton textiles (madder & indigo dyed) to Japan.  It was indeed a global trading much more than now.   

Thank you my friends!  I had a wonderful trip to Belgium, Tilburg, and Amsterdam.  Thank you Karina (Zijdelings) for inviting me to teach a workshop.  I abserved a lot different histories and cultures.  Still these European countries had relationship with Japan, and it was interesting to view from different angle.  So many lovely people and they treated me so warm and kind.  "Dank U" and "Tot ziens".

Katazome with Natural Dyes in Netherlands!

I will teach a workshop Katazome in May (5/8-12) at Tilburg, Netherlands.  Rice paste is applied on silk.  Then cut a special stencil paper, prepare and brush natural dyes, such as Lac, Madder, Cutch, Logwood, etc. Since rice paste is water soluble, it wash out in water.  Most beatuful komonos in Japan have been made this technique.  Join us!  
 www.zijdelings.com

Solo Exhibition "Circle of Renewal" Tokyo, Japan

Solo Exhibition, "Circle of Renewal" at Gallery Uesuto: Ginza, Tokyo, Japan

Oct. 27 - Nov. 8, 2011

Solo Exhibition, "Circle of Renewal" at the Gallery Uesuto was well received. 250 people came to see the show! Since I was in the gallery all the time, I talked them observing their reactions. My family helped me a lot. It was so wonderful to be with my family and friends all the time. I felt that I am very lucky! Here are few images of the exh. Some pictures were taken by Nori Hamachi.

New Exhibiton, Tokyo, Japan

I am busy preparing for a solo exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. I will leave Chicago on Sept. 17th.

Wish you could come to see the show!!! This piece was dyed wahsi (hand made Japanese rice paper) in indigo dye vat with various numbers of dippings. Then brushed walnut and/or black oak on indigo paper. Constructed then cut out. Although I cut out paper as a stencil paper, I am excited to apply different way. Also, natural dyes work harmoniously.

I had a wonderful opening reception. Thank you for coming!

If you could not attend, the exh. runs this summer till Sept.14. Weekdays: 9-4:30, weekends by appointment, 773-371-5416 The Mary-Frances and Bill Veeck Gallery (Catholic Theological Union) The address is 5416 S. Cornell in Hyde Park. If you take Lake Shore Drive south, get off at the 53rd St. exit. Go 2 blocks west to Cornell and turn south (left). The Catholic Theological Union is about 2 blocks south on the right side of the street. Parking is available in the CTU garage which is attached to the building. The entrance is just south of the main door. Free.

The pictures: Artist Talk, with Lindsay Obermeyer (her beads piece is truly stunning!, and cutator Jannis Pozzi-Johnson.

katazome & natural dyes

I enjoyed teaching a workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts last week. Katazome takes time and paticient, but all students were so~ good!!! I am deeply impressed by thier energy. It was a wonderful group! Applying natural dyes are different comapre to chemical dyes; they are like vegitables or fruits. Soemtimes colors or effect are different. Depending on growing region or season, the color is varies. I have been doing so many years, but still using natural dyes is mysterious to me. (and difficult.)

Jennifer Weiler showing her finished pieces. Julia during crit. Jess is painting. Madder and Cochineal on rice paste. Dietta Hitchcock's pieces, Cutch with iron mordant.