This is another painting of my Limit Red Project. Usually I do not use any blacks but this time I tried and realized they stand out and are very active. Use of black is challenging for me. Also while avoiding red, yellow becomes difficult for me to handle. While struggling, I am really getting into it. Below is the painting titled Fall 2020 2, 13”x15”, Acrylic on canvas, 2020, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Limit Red
This is another experiment at the League where I attempted to limit using red, while depicting a space. I was trying to depicting an imaginative landscape that I can associate with the heavy snow fall against the background of pine trees along Japan Sea side. I just can recall that I was amazed by the beauty of the scenery which looks like traditional Japanese sumi ink paintings.
The painting below titled Limit Red, acrylic on canvas, 24”x29”, 2020,©Kikuko Sakota Art
SunSunSun
This summer is over. I almost stayed at home and did not go swimming, did not travel a long distance.
But when the sun is up in the morning, it is so refreshing to take a walk . Other than that, I am staying in the air-conditioned room, The air has been getting cooler since a few days before. I can see the sign of the coming of the fall. So no I miss this summer and the sun.
This painting is titled SunSunSun, 6”x9”, Acrylic on canvas, 2020,©Kikuko Sakota Art
Exercise
Recently I enrolled Abstract painting class at Art Student League, N.Y. to seek for new approaches.
The following paintings are exercises by limiting number of paints to be used. It was really fun. I really enjoyed and absorbed in painting.
Both are untitled, 8”x11”, Acrylic on paper, 2020, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Blue
What do you associate with the color of blue? (Blue runs the whole gamut). The sky? I feel hope in the blue sky. The sea? I feel safe when looking at the sea.
The color of blue makes me contemplative, taking me away from day-to-day happiness or sadness. It gives me the time to look into myself.
Here is the painting titled “Blue”,Acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 6”x9”, 2018, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Catalog 2006
Here’s the images of the catalog made by Gallery Gora, Montreal, Canada, in 2006. I used to paint birds and flowers. The first image is the painting titled Sakura(cherry blossom) an abstract painting. The idea is cherry blossoms are reflecting sun light, yellow color against the sky.
Thanks a lot-Kikuko Sakota Solo Show
I would really appreciate all viewers coming all the way for my show despite the heat wave and COVID 19 difficulty. I feel very sorry that I could not show up as an artist because I could not travel by Bullet train from Himeji to Tokyo, which is about 400 miles. I wish I could drive myself. I just can drive from home to the closest super market.
Also Takanashi san and gallery staff, thank you very much for managing my show. And Dr. Fukasaku, thank you very much for having my show in your gallery.
Kikuko Sakota Solo Show at Hideharu Fukasaku Gallery Roppongi
These are paintings exhibited in the show. Both are painted with acrylics and adsorbent. My attempt was to create depth and variation by thickness of acrylic layers, controlling the acrylic amount in the brush, and manipulating the brush. Size is 36”x47”.
Left one is titled After the Rain. Yellow indicates the sunlight coming into the rain and clouds.
Right one is titled Hand in Hand. I tried to make magenta and blue brush strokes look entwined. to express cooperation or collaboration.
I painted them quite recently during COVID 19 wishing to have hop all the time .and that many of us can help each other to overcome this difficult time.
Kikuko Sakota Solo Show 2020
I am going to hold a solo show at Hideharu Fukusaku Gallery Roppoingi Tokyo from August 11 to August 15. Opening hours is from 11:00-19:00(by 17:00 on the last day)
I will exhibit 18 pieces of paintings of which were painted during COVID 19 stay home. All works were thin acrylic layers applied on adsorbent applied on canvas, which creates depth, transparency, and imaginative atmosphere.
If you are in Tokyo, please join us for enjoying my paintings.
Stream 2020 Thanks for coming
Yoshimura san, and staff, thank you for letting me join Stream 2020, Group show at Art Point Gallery.
Also I would like to thank those who came all the way during this difficult time for viewing the show.
Mixed Feeling
Most of us tend to stay at home due to the recent pandemic COVID 19 and I’m no exception. I work at home, buy things online, and when going out, its grocery stores, and clinics which are in walking distance. I re-started to practice yoga in the class, which is very popular so I have to go to the gym very early to secure my position. The gym is limiting the number of participants to avoid infection. In another gym, participants have to draw a stick (lottery) to be selected, because there are so many participants wishing to join the yoga class in the limited space.
During this strange time, I do not have to travel by public transportation, in which as a result I have more time at home. I can cook and of course paint more at home.Also it is a good opportunity to straighten out mess at home. On the other hand, I feel scared and sad because still many people are infected. The painting below is titled “Mixed Feeling” 36”x47”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art. This is the one being exhibited in the group show, Stream 2020, Gallery Art Point, Tokyo now.
Stream 2020
One of my work will be exhibited in Gallery Art Point in Ginza, Tokyo. (Top right is my work)
Mr. Yoshimura, and staff, thank you very much for letting me join your group show.
The show will be open as follows:
12:30-19:30 Mon. June 29-Sat. July 4 (Closed at 17:00 on Saturday）
If you are in Tokyo during the above period , please join us for enjoying the art!
Iris
My American art teacher sent me her web site featuring katagami (stencils) for kimono collection before the wartime. I was just reading Iris in her website and I realized this is the season for iris. We can wear the kimono with iris patters at this time of the season. Otherwise, you don’t look chic.
May 5 is Children’s day of national holiday in Japan. We decorate worrier dolls wearing armors, iris, dumplings. One of the meaning is braveness. Iris is favorable design for armors, because of its meaning. Also we used to float iris in the hot water in the bus tub to repel evil spirit.
Below is one of my work in 2018, “Lights in the Dark”, Acrylic on canvas, 24”x29”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art It has nothing to do with “iris” but one of the message behind is power of nature which we always feel.
Stay safe
Japan will be in the state of emergency until the beginning of May. In this crisis of the globe, I just can imagine hardship of especially those with family members in critical condition and also medical staff. Many of us have various types of worries and difficulties.
As an individual and a tiny one Japanese and global citizen, all I can do is to stay safe.
The below is the work titled, “Lights” Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 6”x9”,2020,©Kikuko Sakota Art
Yellow dots in the painting are the sun lights coming between branches of trees or lights of stars in the dark sky, which I attempt to mean “Hope”.
2020
A year of 2020 started peacefully and many of Japanese and the world have been looking forward to Tokyo Olympic Games. But now many of us are concerned about Corona Virus, which is unexpectedly highly contagious. I see almost all people wearing masks in public. Social distancing is happening: People are staying at home, schools are closed, etc. Even though it was reported in the news that it is not lethal, there are the deceased somewhere in the world every day. I just can wish those affected to get recovered and all the people not to catch it or be strong even immune to the virus.
The following is one of the recent works titled “Ancient Memory”,Acrylic on canvas, “6"x9”, 2020, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
2020 Member Exhibition, Berkeley Art Center
2020 Member Exhibition will be held in Berkeley Art Center, from January 11 to 25, http://www.berkeleyartcenter.org/2020-members-exhibition
One of my works will be displayed there. When you are in S.F. or near Berkeley, please come join us.
Espacio Gallery London
The group show has been taking place from September 24 to September 29 in Espacio Gallery in London, where my work has been exhibited . This group show was organized by Gallery Art Point Tokyo. Mr. Yoshimura, thank you very much.
I did not go to the site this time, but some day I want to visit London.
Here is my artist statement for this show.
Recently Kikuko Sakota has been trying to capture the invisibles, especially, time such as the moment when she exists, passing moments, time space where she explores in particular places, or doing particular activities. One of the recent themes is music, in particular, jazz, especially jazz in 1950’s. Her attempt has been to create passing time space of jazz consisting of melody, rhythm, sounds, tones, etc. with acrylics and pastels on canvases. To express minor tunes, she avoids use of primary colors to finish painting but secondary colors and to describe improvisation of jazz, she spontaneously employs various brushstrokes to apply acrylic layers of different thickness. Referencing to the anecdote about Miles Davis, who did not point out mistakes of the pianist during the performance but he covered them up with the ad-libs, she also tries to liberate colors and compositions.
Today Is A Gift
Occasionally I am inspired by lines of lyrics or poems. One day suddenly one line hit upon me. “Today is a gift” Later on I learned that this is one line of the poem of one American poet and also I heard one American president or his wife referred to this sentence.
While cleaning and organizing at home, I found a very old notebook and saw one message from a teacher of my elementary school. It said, “Today never comes back.”
I tend to indulge myself in daily routine and humdrum. At home I am an oldest and nobody scolds me anymore. The comment of my teacher is a stimulant for self-indulgent person like me.
The painting below is tilted as Today Is A Gift, Acrylic and Pastel on Canvas, 52”x64”, 2019, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Thanks to all
My solo show ended on July 14. I would like to thank Ms. Higuchi, gallery owner, and staff for having my show and audience for coming all the way during the rainy season to view my work. Many thanks to all!!
Solo Show at Y Art Gallery
My solo show has been held at Y Art Gallery since July 9. It will be on until July 14.
Opening hours are 11:00-19:00(The last day ends at 17:00) Please join us when you are at it.
