I like the spontaneity and ad lib of jazz. They are unpredictable.
The painting below is the one that I attempted to depict jazz music. I tried to depict its spontaneity with the movement and directons of brushstrokes.
Installtions of Paintings And A 3D Work
I've just found a DVD featuring a group show 3 years ago, and I uploade in the link below.
https://kikukosakota.squarespace.com/new-gallery-3/2014/3/17/pou-group-show-2010
(This video focuses on my works in the latter half portion)
It was the first experience to join the show to individually exhibit one's own works in the given spacious booth with high walls in the museum, 9m high, if my memory is right. Also we had to put a 3 D work in place.
I was inspired by cards on the table so that I arranged paintings in 2 levels. The flower petals of each work direct up and down and left and right. Can you recognize it?
An object was made with cloths. I sewed it and stuffed cottons in it. It can work as a cushion.
Spring Song
During an interview, I was asked if I have something in mind, when I paint paintings. Yes.
Occasionally, I paint spontaneously without any ideas, but in that case I often fail. I can look into the picture plane to see what is required in its space. But anyway , basically I try to clarify the image of painting in mind.
The painting below is titled Spring Song, 13"x18", Acrylic and pastel on canvas.
From the beginning, I decided to use wet yellow-green and pink with soft brushstroke to depict a quiet and delicate spring song.
Skype Interview
Katie Adler invited me as an artist guest to her program over skype.
She was a great modelator so I could speak about myself very well.
I thought I was the last person to be interviewed, but I realized there were a lot to share with audience.
Thank you Katie and listeners.
Art Show Proposal
Now I am racking my brain to write a proposal. I looked into several blogs and I learned a little bit about how to write it.
Simply put, I need to convince gallery owners to show my art, so first I need to realize the significance of my works and what I can offer to my audience. Also I look for how my art is different from others'.???
In its process, I describe the idea of my possible art show in general, and illustrate a few example works with images.
When I finish it, on the following day, I will read it again.
Cherry Blossoms
Before spring I sometime paint cherry blossoms, which telling us the coming of spring.
The painting below was painted in 2008. I wasn't aiming at painting an abstract painting, but I tried to depict masses of flowers, branches, and its trunk reflecting the sun against the sky. I wanted to be unique in expression, because the theme of cherry blossoms is somewhat cliche, so I wanted to be very different. From this time I have started to focus on the directions,strength, and use of brushstrokes and pastels.
Sakura, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 2008, 21"x18", Kikuko Sakota Art, http://www.kikukosakota.com/
New Page
I added a new page in this website, Fine Art America Kikuko Sakota Page, which is a link for the online sales for my paintings.
I have just post only 5 paintings. But if you are interested in some other works, please let me know through email: kikuko@nexyzbb.ne.jp. Or through Contact page in this site.
Blog Everyday
English is my second foreign language so I really appreciate for readers' patience.
I just recall an art consultant suggested that we should blog everyday to be a good blogger.
Again I used paper but this time I painted a bit seriously rather than casually. Well I tried to be casual but I was into it and even struggled to finish it.
I painted my feelings. Very straightforward. I want to fly like a bird. Or I want to hold the sky opening my arms.
Title: Wish I Were A Bird, Acrylic, pencil and pastel on paper, 18"x21", Kikuko Sakota
Kikuko Sakota Art http://www.kikukosakota.com/
Online Sales
I am a Facebook user. It's fun to know new people and know how familiar people are doing.
Also I enjoy many works of the art groups I have joined. Yesterday as soon as I uploaded one of my work, Coming Soon in the one site, one of my friends just emailed me if it is for sales.
I uploaded that work to one onlie sales site and its print was sold soon. My intuition "Coming Soon" worked?
Please check out the link below.
Intuition
I use canvases for painting almost all the time. I use paper when I paint or draw casually just like keeping a diary. Frankly, I prefer canvases, because I can push brushes hard.
Today it's March 1 and I can feel the beginnin of spring. And I feel excited and I know something new is coming soon.
Title: Coming Soon, Acrylic and pastel on canvas 21"x18" Kikuko Sakota, 2014,
Kikuko Sakota Art http://www.kikukosakota.com/
Online Sales
I heard that recently online art sales have grown rapidly. I'm a bit conservative person, so I have been inquisitive about the use of online for selling art and presenting art.
But in addition to brick and mortar galleries where you receive face-to-face reaction of viewers, the online is a good tool to share your art more rapidly and widely. Also you can sell prints and cards more conveniently.
So I tried one site.
Work in Process: Day 4 (Completion)
After the distraction this week, I concentrated on working today. There had been more movement and conflicts in primary colors on the picture plane where I had stopped on the previous day. . I had wanted to paint "Will power" but I found myself indecisive so I changed my mind and followed my heart.
I think there are two sides in a person; strong and weak. I guess the weak and indecisive side of me was dominant today.
Title: Girl, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 18"x21" http://www.kikukosakota.com/
Work in Process: Day 3
I starded with mostly light green and then painted it to pastel colors. But now it came out like below. In the last week I have been distracted but am I full of energy?
Building I like
On the way to work, I saw a beautiful building in Kobe City. I just can remember I stayed in this hotel a few times before. If my memory is right, the interior of one of rooms was just like a room of the ship.
Work in Process Day 2
There are more movement and colors. It's just beginning.
Chelsea Fine Art Competition
I made an entry to Chealse Fine Art Competition held by Agora Gallery. Hope I can win?
The Gold Medal
Japan won a gold medal in men's figure skating. I was moved by his energetic performance and his endeavor to make his way to be a gold medalist.
Hanyu's home was collapsed by the Great Tohoku Earthquake. He almost gave up skating, but he overcame difficulty and now he won the medal.
I was also strucked by his word,"To be a gold medalist is just a beginning to do something to recover the affected area."
Work In Process: Day 1
I've just started to paint a new work right now. What I have uploaded the image of the work in process.
Color of light green symbolizes something budding. I have something new in my mind, but I don't know what is going to be next. I have a rough image of my painting completed.
My Favorite Artist 1
In 1994, I visited Sydney Australia for the first time. I can remember the year because it was before the Great Hanshin Earthquake. I have a koala teddy bear which was a gift when I was born. So I had been wanting to see koalas.
I went to several sight seeing spots and when I was walking around the Rocks, I saw a gallery.
I went inside. What I saw was several paintings with bold composition and very attractive and cogent color deployment. I was strucked by them, because I had never seen such great art before. Then I decided to concentrate on painting as one of my life work.
It was Ken Done Gallery. Later I learned that Ken Done had several shows in Japan, and painted the covers of one of popular Japanese magazines, Hanako. Now my mom and younger brothers wear his sweaters and T-shirts.
The Way I Paint
Recently when I paint, I approach a space rather than figures. Because now what I want to paint is energy, atmosphere, sound, and air. They have no figures.
In the paining below I tried to depict what I have experienced and felt in woods or forests. While I try to recall the momonet I was there, I focus on the color contrast and composition on the picture plane.
In the beginning, I started with paint dark blue and unbleached titanium. Then I have followed what I think the picture plane needed. When I finished painting it, I could accept that it was in my mind, but at the same time I felt that I would prefer to paint a bold comosition next time.
