Inspired by Japan

Happy October friends! Hope you’ve all been having a wonderful fall season! I’ve been busy working on a bunch of new work inspired by recent travels to Japan!

I used to live in Japan for a few years teaching English, and somehow time got away from me and I hadn’t been back in decades. Well, I finally made it back, and besides having the best time, I also found creative inspiration everywhere!

Above photos: Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Osaka Castle, Hakone Open Air Museum, Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Mt Fuji by shinkansen, giant rainbow cotton candy, Kamakura Daibutsu, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tokyo architecture, Owakudani, onsen time in Hakone, Enoshima sea caves, delicious food, Osaka, samurai armor.

A few sketchbook faves from Japan

Japan is full of artful touches and design inspiration in every nook and cranny. It was fun to get lost and wander, and observe all the little details everywhere. I especially loved the intricate woodwork in the temples and all the colorful shrines. From cutting edge architecture, gorgeous interior design, and amazing textiles to artful food—I was just soaking it all up! Even the manhole covers were fancy! I carried my sketchbook everywhere to capture all my favorite things.

Below: acrylic marker sketch of Enoshima, pen and colored pencil sketches of a takoyaki shop in Osaka, a Kyoto temple, and a dumpling mannequin in Yokohama’s Chinatown.

Japan inspired paintings

I’m back in the studio now full of fresh inspiration, and painting more than I can keep up with sharing online. (The story of the last several years, really). Below is a small glimpse of some of my Japan inspired pieces. Can’t wait to share the full collection with you!

Wishing you all colorful days and lots of coziness as we head into the holiday season!