October and my next exhibition is not so very far away. Time to start sorting and framing. Most of my exhibitions have had a theme, a concept. This year I was just painting. Would that work for a title?
I'm Just Painting
Cut up /
I spent my day cutting up an artwork. It was an andon, a lantern. It was two meters tall and twelve meters around. I had made it for an exhibition in 2005, down the hill.
Kingyo gallery can be frustrating. It is a beautiful space and very nice people, but it is on a narrow road that no one uses. Hundreds and hundreds of people walk past on the main road, Hebi Michi Dori, about ten meters away. But they don’t turn to come past the gallery. I made a giant lantern to draw people in.
It was a limited success. A lantern looks best at night, all lit up. Unfortunately the gallery was not open at night.
After the exhibition I packed it. Even broken into eight it was large to store, for thirteen years, every year thinking that this year I may have a chance to use it.
I never did.
Enough was enough. Today I cut it into pieces.
It took almost as much effort to cut up for garbage as it did to make in the first place.
New again /
I went skiing this year for the first time in over 40 years. I decded to try oil paining again after over 25 years away.
This is a detail of Uguisudani.
New Year Pretty /
The new brsh turned out pretty. As to how it works, it is a very special brush made for linear purposes. It will take some time and practictice to figure out.
The first painting I made with it is on my, "Travels in the Low City," blog, relating to first night dreams. http://www.jimhathawayink.com/new-blog/
Ready /
I thought I would put them together new years eve, but the handles needed another coat of varnish.
When the glue dries I will still be able to try them with my first painitng of the new year.
Three times boiled /
Three boilings did it. I was left with enough for two brushes. Next to devise some handles.
