Spring Wind

I sowed basil seeds last October, and now the plants are full of lush leaves and tiny blossoms. The leaves catch the light with a silky shine, and I can’t wait to cook with them. The painting below is titled “Spring Wind”, Acrylic on canvas, 13”x18”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art

Let It Shine

The other day my younger brother signed up for a gospel concert. I was really surprised because I thought he was the last person who would go to a concert. He has never shown any interest in music. I really wanted to go myself, so I couldn’t resist joining him.

During the concert, a workshop was held where both the singers and the audience sang a song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Katakana pronunciation guides were provided so that all of us could pronounce the English lyrics, and Japanese translations were added so that we could understand the message. Repeatedly singing “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine,” I felt optimistic, uplifted, and encouraged.

The painting below is titled, “Light in the Green”, Oil on canvas, 11”x11”, 2025

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Cheers for new beginnings

Wishing you a year full of blessing and filled with a new adventure.

Happy new year 2026!

The painting below is titled “Pink Wave”, acrylic on canvas, 24”x29”, 2025,©Kikuko Sakota Art

Something Different(2)

Another attempt was collage.  It took some time to collect materials: photos, flowers to make pressed flowers, plastic tape to transfer photos on it, colored paper, tracing paper, etc.  Also organizing my idea for collage composition was tougher than I thought.  But I tried not to think too hard and made a few works.  Here’s one. I picked a tropical parrot as a main role. 

Untiled, Collage, 24”x29”, 2025, ©Kikuko Sakota Art

Something Different (1)

This summer I tried something different from usual: Oil painting and collage.

I used oil paints for the first time in ten years.  They do not dry quickly like acrylic paints, so I felt impatient.  While struggling, paints became muddy on canvas.  After a few failures, I made several oil paintings.  The below is one of them.  

Untitled, Oil on canvas, 9”x11”, 2025 ©Kikuko Sakota Art

Thanks for coming

Thanks for coming to my solo show at Hiromart gallery tokyo.

Hiromart Gallery Representation

My small works are represented by Hiromart Gallery Tokyo. If you are interested in my works, please get in touch with the gallery.　 info(at)hiromartgallery.com

Solo Show at Hiromart Gallery Tokyo

My works will be exhibited at Hiromart Gallry Tokyo from Octorber 11 to November 10. When you are in Tokyo please joing us. Opening Reception will be held from 18:00-20:00 on October 11.

Gallery hours:13:00-19:00(Closed on Mondays and Tuesday)

Four Elements

Actors: Viridian, Quinacridone red, Hansa yellow, Ivory black, and Titanium white

When I was thinking about characters for painting, I thought of four elements, and looked into Wikipedia and I found it was the ancient Greek and Roman belief that everything is made of four elements, such as earth, water, air and fire.

I used the colors above mixing to act as earth, water, air, and fire with no playscript.  I picked up the colors that I have avoided to use, which were viridian, and black.  I focused on mixing viridian with others, but next time I would like to pay more attention to gray and black.

The painting below is Four Elements 24”x29” acrylic on canvas, 2023,©Kikuko Sakota Art

Gypsy

I was moved by the performance of the gypsy jazz band when I happened to listen to them.  The band consists of only strings: a violin, guitars, and a bass.  A guitar and a violin are main solo instruments.  If I did not know it was categorized as a jazz, I thought it was a flamenco-like Latin music.  Soaking in this music makes me feel like wander lust, or traveling to “see the world”, as the lyrics of Lady Gaga’s “Gypsy” goes.

The painting below is titled, “Gypsy”, acrylic on canvas, 21”x18”, 2023, ©Kikuko Sakota Art