Wish you all a happy new year!
The painting below is “Red Flower”, Acrylic on canvas, 6”x9”, 2022, ©Kikuko Sakota Art. Color of red symbolizes the passion. Kikuko Sakota Art http://www.kikukosakota.com/
Fog Cleared Away
One of my themes for paintings is woods. Their images come from my memories where I used to walk and play in childhood, went hiking and sometimes walked on the steep slope, or during the trip where I visited the big woods.
Usually I go walking with others in the woods, but if I am to go alone, I may get lost.
Feeling nice scents of trees, leaves and air, stamping on the soft soils, walking in the shades of trees, I just can follow the path and look for the light.
The painting below is titled “Fog Cleared Away”, Acrylic on canvas, "29”x24”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Before Going to Bed
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” I learned this was Mahatma Gandhi’s words for the first time. Actually, I heard the first sentence a few times this year. Maybe this is a very important message to me.
It is true. But I always pushed it aside; otherwise, I’m so scared. On the second thought, I may be wasting my time. At the end of the day, I don’t feel like going to bed, because I think there many things undone. But I decide to go to bed because I want to wake up early to take a morning walk.
Below is “Before Going to Bed”, Acrylic on canvas, 20”x20”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
With Peace in Mind
I was busy last year so I decided to slow down and change my life style. I wake up a bit earlier, take a walk two times a day and do some stretch or yoga every day.
When it comes to paintings, I have been exploring to develop/evolve my style of painting. Recently I have stopped controlling brush strokes and composition too much. So the movement created by brush strokes looks flowing naturally. I have a feeling that what I have been seeking was not always painting good works but peace of mind.
The painting below is titled “With Peace of Mind”, Acrylic on canvas, 13”x18”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
It was a peaceful day
I had a good news. I was just chatted that one of my old friends, who once had been very sick for more than a week, was getting better. I had been worried very much and remembered all good memories of her. I did not know how and what I could do to her spouse, but now I am a bit relieved. She is still not totally well but I believe she will be getting better.
The painting below is titled, “It was a peaceful day”, Acrylic on paper, 13”x16”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Sunflower
I have joined World of Co Artist Residency since the beginning of August, which is a Bulgarian program; however, due to the pandemic, they have had an online residency. I have met several artists from US and Bulgaria, and learned plenty of new things. This is very informative and encouraging opportunities.
During this residency, one day, I saw sunflowers in the garden in my neighborhood during my morning walk. I have never noticed them before. There must be a lot of beauties and miracles close to me. I want to keep looking for such small happiness.
Painting below is titled “Sunflower”, 6.9”x10”, Acrylic and water soluble pastel on paper, 2021,©Kikuko Sakota Art
Scintillation
Despite the pandemic, the Tokyo Olympic Games kicked off. I was not so interested in it before it started. But when TV program is on, before I know it, I am attracted to the games, and the performance. I am often absorbed in their excitement as if I were there. I can imagine how much they have dedicated their life to sports. I am really touched and moved by their spectacular feats and physical and mental strength. And I am so much inspired by their love for sports.
Below is the drawing titled as Scintillation, Colored pencils on paper, 5.6”x10”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Blue Flower
The summer in my area is generally hot and humid. In the morning, my younger brother waters plants in the yard and sprinkle water all over, which makes the air a little cooler. When hearing its sound, I feel like taking a cold shower by myself.
Below is the drawing tilted Blue Flower, Colored pencils on paper, 5.6”x10”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
One Sunny Day of the Summer 2021
I take a walk in the morning, but after the rainy season, it is getting hotter and more humid, so it is not so comfortable. But I can still come across some small natural beauty such as sunflowers blooming in the neighborhood. The color of sunflower petals boosts my mood. I’m even happily bathed in the lights in the air, brightness of the sky, and very quiet breeze.
Below is the drawing titled as “One Sunny Day of the Summer 2021”, Pastels on paper, 6.8”x10”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Lagna Art
Lagna Art, CA., US represents some of my works. Thanks for showing my works!
Gifts from the Sky
It’s been raining off and on since the middle of May. The rainy season started earlier this year. Sometime it rains up and the sun is shining, but it’s been raining for most of the recent days. I don’t feel like going out on rainy days so when it rains up, I go out. Rains wash away on the street, trees, roofs, and everywhere. So I can feel the new air.
Below is the painting titled, “Rainy day”, acrylic on canvas, 13”x18”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Artistic Moments
It’s been more than a year since COVID 19 changed our life style. While staying home, I have more time to cook, clean up, do choirs, etc. and I realized this peaceful day-to-day happiness
But when painting, I may enjoy as if I were in the different world. What inspires me are the scenes of movies, phases of the words in books, lyrics of songs, melodies, places I visited.
I painted the below inspired by the movies of which locations are countries in middle east, but I recalled Shirahama, which is a seaside resort city located in the southern-central region of Japan. I visited this town two times and what I like is its beach; it’s white sands!
White sands have colors of shadows of themselves and objects on them and the sun’s light.
Paintings below are titled ”White Dune1”and “White Dune 2” Acrylic on canvas, 8.8”x10.9”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Simple Life
Every day I take a walk about 30 minutes before breakfast. It’s been good weather these days and this is one of the pleasant moments of the day. Sometimes I feel sleepy and want to stay in the bed. But I fight with sleepiness and jump out of the bed because I do not want to miss this happy moment: I can walk in fresh air and I feel open and free. While I’m staying in my room, sometimes I feel it is stuffy and my body is tight and stiff. So I take a walk again after lunch to relax muscles and to refresh myself.
Below is the painting titled “Melt into the Sky”, Acrylic on canvas, 29”x36”, 2021, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Last Saturday I went out for cherry blossom viewing in the garden of Himeji Castle. According to the forecast of blooming of cherry blossoms in Himeji City, the blossoms in the garden of the castle were expected to be in full bloom on March 31, so it was a bit early. As expected, some of the blossoms were still in bud, but mass of cherry blossoms on the branches made most cherry trees looked like in full bloom. A lot of people were gathering around trees, photographing blossoms, and chatting. The lives of cherry blossoms are short, and when they die, flower petals are gone gracefully. Viewers enjoy viewing the short moment of cherry blossoms in bloom.
Here is the painting titled One Spring Day, 21”x26”, Acrylic and pouring medium,2021
Essential Oil
While I was cleaning up clutters, I found my old aroma pot. Recently it’s getting warmer and sometimes I feel sleepy during daytime and I cannot concentrate well. Then I went out to buy essential oil. I was looking for lemon oil but it was not in the shop, so I picked lemon grass. The essential oil of lemongrass, which is extracted from the leaves and stalks of the plant, is commonly used in aromatherapy. The oil has a wonderful, invigorating citrus scent, which makes me feel refreshing.
Below is the painting titled as Just Around the Corner, 10”x13”, Acrylic on canvas, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Botanical Garden
I went to the botanical garden nearby on Saturday for the first time. If COVID-19 did not happen, I would be going out further by train and never think of this botanical garden.
There are collections of various types of orchids, cactus, and carnivorous plants. I was attracted to amazingly unique shapes of the species of flowers and plants in the green house. I used to take their uniqueness for granted but in this occasion, I wondered what environments these plants inhabit naturally in their origins. Nature miraculously designs the right shapes for them to fit into their habitats.
The below is the painting titled, “Happy Moon”, acrylic on canvas, 21”x21”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Make Coffee
I was surprised that one of my younger brothers, who never drinks coffee, booked a class, “how to make coffee”, at the community center, and I decided to join him. I make decaf coffee every day, but it is not so tasty. Actually I just pour hot water on the coffee without much care and just wait for dripping.
Today for the first time I learnt we pour hot water (not to hot) slowly, while making a circle with a weak flow on the coffee beans, which making bubbles on the beans, resulting in gentle drips. Today’s coffee is stronger than my coffee. I was a bit shocked because I wasted beans by pouring hot water fast, which made my coffee weak all the time.
Anyway I really enjoyed coffee, ( all of us took 5-6 cups of different flavors) with my brother and neighborhood.
Below is the painting titled as Transparency, 19”x24”, Acrylic on paper., ©Kikuko Sakota Art
My inquiry page :Apology
Thanks for submitting your inquiries to my contact page, but I found an error in setting. As a result, no email inquiries were received. I do apologize for not getting back to you.
I have just updated my email address in the page and tested to ensure the message is received. I hope you would come back to view pages.
Feel like going out
Since COVID 19 cases have been declining due to effective nationwide emergency declaration , and it is getting slightly warmer, I feel like going out. the state of emergency will be extended more but when it is lifted, we can go out even go across prefectural borders. There is a concern over the rebound of the cases after emergency state is lifted. Meanwhile more people will be vaccinated, in the future, the situation will be much improved. As long as we wear masks in public, and with the effect of vaccination, hopefully, we will be able to handle situation
Below is the painting titled Brilliant Future, acrylic on canvas, 24”x21”, 2021,©Kikuko Sakota Art
Take a walk
During COVID 19, I stay at home and notice I am often using PC and iPhone, so to avoid my iPhone and PC, which often causes an eye stress, So I decided to take a walk in the neighborhood every day. iPhone is so convenient; I can search any words, watch video, and talk with friends. After enjoying a few hours of chatting with my crony by iPhone, next day I regret it because of eye sore.. Walking does not give me fun like connecting with others through SNS or entertainment, but it makes me feel refreshed, healthier, and stronger.
Below is the painting titled “Am I Happy?”, acrylic on canvas, 18”x21”, 2021,©Kikuko Sakota Art
