Inspiration…

Comes in many forms and from many places. One of my artistic inspirations comes from a source that I have returned to many times and in fact has inspired me since I was a little girl, and that is the art and design of both Japan and China. I have been collecting Chinese and Japanese art, porcelain, and embroidered silks since I was a young girl.  I visit the Chinese and Japanese permanent exhibitions at the V&A on a regular basis and have been doing so for years, and I own many, many books on the art of both cultures.  So, it’s no surprise therefore that I would revisit those themes and motifs periodically.

Recently having purchased new water colour paints, it was a natural progression that I would get out my books on traditional Japanese and Chinese art and see what I came up with. The style and motifs of traditional Japanese art lend themselves very naturally to a rendering in water colours. My last water colour piece and this one take their inspiration from specifically Japanese art. This work in progress is based on an 18th century silk weave wall hanging featuring many of the traditional and symbolic motifs of Japanese art; water, peacocks, parsley etc. I won’t go into a lengthy explanation of why I like this particular art form, or why it inspires me, because in truth, it speaks for itself, and anyone familiar with traditional Japanese and Chinese art will understand completely.  How could fail to be impressed and taken over by the deceptive simplicity, beauty and symmetry of Japanese art.

Sadly, I was hoping to have this finished by now, but due to my little girl being ill, I have not spent much time in my studio this week, and most of my painting has been done at night by the light of lamps (hence the glow). However, I plan to finish this by the end of the week. This and my recent flowers painting are just the start of what will be an ongoing series of water colour pieces. Originals and prints will be available to buy.