Designs on Japan

Living in Ambleside my fascination with Japan developed through meeting many Japanese visiting the Lake District. Having trained as a Textile and Surface Designer I was also fascinated by the designs and colours of Kimono fabric and also Washi and origami papers.

In the 90’s we actually had a Japanese group in Ambleside made up of Japanese ladies who were employed in the local businesses like Mountain Goat and Dove Cottage in Grasmere. We taught each other songs. We sang and taught The Hokey Cokey in Japanese, they taught us the Sukiyaki Song. We had Damson (not cherry) blossom parties and also moon viewing parties. Then of course we had to learn a bit about making sushi and drinking sake!

I went on to learn the language as well as I could and then to finally visit Japan a few times, arriving home with a suitcase crammed full of paper and pens from Itoya my favourite Japanese store.

I like to draw with Rotring pen and work in to Japanese paper to add a splash of colour.

Japanese Shop Interior Edogawa.

Japanese Jenga’s

When I started making these little original art works taking inspiration from my love of Japan, collage and pen and ink I stacked them up to show someone and they said “Japanese Jenga like the game, and it stuck. So from then on that’s what I’ve called them.

Japanese Jenga

Sometimes I use a rotring pen for crisp black lines. I also like Sakura pigma micron pens (yes of course Japanese) or locally produced Derwent products like graphik line makers.

Small original artwork

Japanese Jenga

Another favourite are the Signo uni ball 153 white and metallic pens which again I can get locally at the wonderful Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere. https://www.heatoncooper.co.uk/

AmblesideArt

Watercolours I enjoy using are Kuratake gansai in metallics etc. Again Derwent produce metallics and also a new favourite tinted charcoal watercolours.

Metallics on black paper

Sometimes I use white paper but I do have a tendency to love black papers.

Working on black paper

I like the thought someone can buy a piece of art which is original not a print or copy at an inexpensive price.

Watercolour

Japanese Jenga

Patterns

Anyone that follows my Twitter account @AmblesideArt will see that I regularly post patterns but I hadn’t realised until recently that people didn’t realise that these are all taken from art work I have done and not completely computer generated.

Original work

Pattern design

Original Work

Pattern

Original Work

Pattern

To see more patterns feel free to follow me on Twitter @AmblesideArt

Kendal Quaker Tapestry

I am lucky to currently have my work on display at the Kendal Quaker Tapestry Garden Cafe. A lovely Vegan cafe in the centre of Kendal.

AmblesideArt at Kendal Garden Cafe

The Quaker Tapestry is an amazing museum which can often be overlooked. it is a fascinating exhibition and one that always leaves you thinking you need to revisit as there is so much to take in.

Art work at Kendal Garden Cafe

The needlework is amazing and there are over 40 panels to look at, a real journey through social history.
https://www.Quaker-tapestry.co.uk will tell you about the fascinating history behind it.
Follow your visit with delicious coffee and cake or lunch and you have the perfect day out

Kendal Garden Cafe

Art at last!

After a rather long break (literally) I can finally draw again. I managed to fracture my hand making badges. One of these things that seems like a good idea at the time but ended up a disaster. My hand literally hit the floor and hey presto ended up in a cast.

AmblesideArt Badges

At the time I had thought it would be good to have an inexpensive but unique gift. The badges were either hand painted or taken from one of my printed designs.

Badge sets

However doing them put paid to anything else art wise, so frustrating. I did catch up on a lot of reading design books I’d been meaning to catch up on but I had been in the middle of a large (for me) design which kept mocking me from the drawing board.

Underwater Fantasy

It was so annoying at first as I could finally draw but couldn’t get the tops off pens! Well finally I’ve finished it. Using metallic watercolours from Derwent and Kuritake Fudebiyori metallic pens on black paper. “Underwater Fantasy” is now finished and framed, and……. I’ve finally managed to finish the badges too. Don’t think I will be in a hurry to make more soon though!

AmblesideArt badges

Japanese Postage Stamps

Japanese Postage Stamp with Pen and Ink

I was lucky to find a large collection of Japanese Postage stamps recently. A fascinating insight in to the country and customs. Works of art in their own right. I decided to incorporate them into my artwork.

A Variety of Japanese Postage Stamps

Working with pen and ink and also the new Derwent Metallic Watercolours it was interesting to see how they could be worked in to a design.

Japanese Postage Stamp Art

I used collage techniques with watercolour paints and ink pens.

Work in Progress

The most difficult bit was choosing which to use, I had 300 stamps which I am still working through. I have sorted them in to colours as this seemed to be the easiest way to separate them.

Art Work using Japanese Stamps

Just for fun I also collaged a bell jar

Collaged Bell Jar

Also made some patterns from the artwork

Japanese Stamp Fabric

Japanese Stamp Artwork

This work is currently on sale at Beck Steps Gallery in Grasmere http://www.beckstepsgallery.co.uk

Fabric Designs

Although I do a lot of pen and ink drawing I do also have some of my designs printed on fabrics. These I then use for Cushion covers, Fabric by the length and also scarves.

Japanese inspired Fabric Design

Temple Door Detail Tokyo

The Designs above were inspired by a temple door I had seen in Tokyo and also Mount Fuji viewed from the top of Mount Komagatake Ropeway near Lake Ashi and Hakone. I liked the little wisps of cloud floating past.

Mount Fuji from Hakone

I also loved this little building at the top of the Ropeway for inspiration too. Bitterly cold but the air was so clear and the views of Fuji San were stunning.

Top of Hakone Ropeway

A Lovely Place to Exhibit

Currently I am exhibiting at the wonderful National Trust Property Allan Bank in Grasmere. A percentage of sales go towards the upkeep of this fantastic and very different National Trust house, what an amazing place to hang my work.

National Trust Allan Bank Grasmere

More information about Alan Bank can be found here. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere

We had a lovely opening night with Prosecco and of course National Trust cakes!

On display are works of art that I designed for the property which use pen and ink and Japanese paper.

It was difficult hanging things as the walls are typical for a house of this age and not exactly level.

The property is open seven days a week and although the exhibition was meant to be on for two months due to popularity has been extended to end of June.

Art Work on Display

If in Grasmere do pop up and have a look, a chance to buy an original work of Art and also support the National Trust. You might be lucky enough to see the resident red squirrels too. And if you feel inspired by my Art work or the view, there is an art room at Allan Bank for you to draw and paint in too.

Khadi Hearts Design

Trailing Leaves Design

Mystic Triangles Design

All the above works are originals. I do have some Risograph Prints on sale too in a Limited Edition of 50.

Vegetal Moons Risograph Print

 

My Favourite Time of Year. Ume Blossom. Japan.

So often I hear people saying they hope to visit Japan to see the Cherry Blossom. The only problem is if you are travelling to Japan on a budget this is possibly the most expensive time of the year to visit.

 

Plum Blossom Japan

Less known but just as beautiful is Plum “Ume” Blossom and although there may be crowds it is a much more relaxed affair.

My favourite place to see the blossom is Hanegi Park in Setagaya-ku Tokyo. With 270 red plum trees and 380 plum trees at the last count, in a lovely little park a few minutes walk from Umegaoka Station on the Odakyu Line. Just follow the crowds.

Hanegi Park Tokyo

The Festival has Koto instrument performances, Haiku classes, and more plum food and drink than you could ever imagine. The plum tea is my favourite. Taking place late February to early March I can highly recommend a visit.

Painting Ume Blossom

Many artists set up easels around the park.

Ume Blossom Designs

I waited till I was back home to draw but I always feel inspired after seeing the blossom.

Plum Gifts

And as always Japan has gifts for the season. Beautiful packaging.