Back from Japan

September 8th, 2011
by Yuko



Maneki Neko, Welcoming Cat at Hanase, Kyoto

Coming back from the two weeks, traveling in Japan, I feel that we had a wonderful journey again. There were so much to learn and rediscover the beauty of Japanese Art through meeting the contemporary artists who live and work in Japan. This time, we focused visiting new artists who make washi art, Japanese handmade paper. We look forward to introducing these new exciting works at the upcoming art fairs across the country in 2011-2012! Hope you enjoy checking out the Verne Blog. Thank you.
Yuko Kimura(at the Verne Collection)

Meeting with Miku Ishizaki in Tokyo

September 5th, 2011
Photos and Writings by Yuko Kimura


Miku's new Diptych work,"Water-Slowly Move Around" (Yuruyakani Meguru)


After attending the Uniyo-e auctions in Tokyo, we had a nice meeting with Miku Ishizaki, a rising star at the Verne Collection. She started working with us since three years ago. Miku is the most talented young woodblock artist at the Verne Gallery who makes handmade kozo paper at her home studio. It is so unique that she uses oil base ink for woodblock print and print on washi paper which works so beautifully while woodblock printmakers traditionally use water base ink.




After having lunch at the Chinese Restaurant at Shiba, we took picture in front of the gate of Zojoji temple.

Papermaking Artist, Atsumi Murata and Katazome Artist, Masahiko Takada

September 4th, 2011
Photos and Writings by Yuko Kimura


We took a shinkansen-bullet train to get to Odawara and visited Atsumi Murata's studio. She is an calligrapher and papermaker.

In the process of making paper, Atsumi pours sumi ink between the thin layers of washi pulp.
"Behind the Mountains in Kyoto"
"Rabbit"



After having a nice lunch with Mr.& Mrs. Murata, we took a local train to get to Yugawara, famous town for hot springs. We visited Masahiko Takada's Katazome studio. He was one of the apprentices of Serizawa Keisuke. He worked with him for about 10 years and then, he became an independent Katazome artist.

Masahiko Takada and his wife, showing us his collections of Serizawa Katazome works.

Masahiko Takada, standing in front of his Katazome on Noren fabric
His original Katazome stencil paper

In front of old photographs of Keisuke Serizawa and himself working together

Michael Verne, learning the Katazome technique from Masahiko Takada at the Serizawa studio in 1982 which was Michael's first visit to Japan

brushes for Katazome

Typhoon in Kyoto

Very windy rain!



People riding bicycles in the rain, reminded me of Shigeki Kuroda's prints.

Michael taking a walk at the Nishiki market one morning in Kyoto.
Lots of fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, Japanese cakes and pickles stores lining up!

Meeting with Young Primtmakers at the Nagoya University of Arts

September 2, 2011
Photos and Writing by Yuko Kimura


We visited the printmaking studio at the Nagoya University of Arts and had a meeting with the talented young printmakers.

Painting with Natural Mineral Pigment on Washi by Yue Nakada



Chizuru Kondo's woodblock print.
She creates playful images by combining elements of Japanese symbols and popular cartoon characters.



Lithograph by Maki Sakamoto


Drypoint and aquatint by Sae Nakano. Her images and ideas come from her feelings and imaginations at night time.


Etching by Lucia Yoshida
Her work is about her childhood memories.


etching by Miyaco Suzuki
She filled drawings of lines and patterns on the etching plate, and after etching the plate, she cut out various shapes and prints from them.



We also met two artists from Holland working this summer at the Nagoya University of Arts. They were getting ready for the upcoming exhibition there.
Image: Lieven Hendriks and his painting


Hidenori Mitsue and his painting
He has been living in Holland for six years now.


Printmaking Professor, Masayuki Nishimura, standing in front of his new paintings for the upcoming solo exhibition in Kyoto. In spite of his busy schedule, he kindly introduced us the eight young artists at the Nagoya University of Arts today.

Indigo Textile by Shihoko Fukumoto and the NO.1 Ceramics Dealer, Robert Yellin in Kyoto

September 1, 2011
Photos and Writings by Yuko Kimura


The indigo textile artist, Shihoko Fukumoto at her studio. She is working on layering indigo dye on cloth.


"Furisosogu: Light Falling Through"(on the right) by Shihoko Fukumoto. She dyed washi paper and made the thread like washi, and then wove to create this piece. Middle part is gold leaf on Washi on top of the layer of indigo dye.


"Gekko: Moon light", Indigo dye on fablic and gold leaf


Shihoko dyes indigo on old kimono cloth.





Then,in the late afternoon, we visited no.1 ceramics dealer, Robert Yellin in Kyoto.

Sarah Brayer's new paperworks and Hideo Takeda's World Night Tour

August 30th, 2011
Photos and writings By Yuko Kimura


Sarah Brayer's beautiful home studio in Kamigamo, north of Kyoto. Michael and Sarah, having meeting in front of her most recent large scale- paper work.


This is her new paperwork titled "Two Umbrellas" whicn has thin translucent layers of washi.

details of "Two Umbrellas"


One of the new small pieces,"April Moon". Elements of handmade paper were collaged on aquatint print. The moon area glows in the dark after exposing to the light.


Sarah and her husband, Masa, cooking lunch. Masa is an architect who designed Sarah's home studio.


Yakitori dinner and lots of beer at Kushikura with Hideo Takeda. He showed us his new paintings called "World Night Tour".

The best Yakitori restaurant, Kushikura in kyoto