Sketch for "Autumn Dancer"

Sketch for "Autumn Dancer"   10" x 8"   Watercolor

When thinking of ideas for oil paintings, I often start with a watercolor in my sketchbook.  Last year, after attending the Japanese Garden Fall Festival and watching the Sakura Dancers perform traditional dances, I was inspired to do this sketch of one of the dancers.  I have since painted an oil of her and will soon show you the painting and tell you where it will be spending the month of June.

Koto Player

"Koto Performer"   10" x 8"   Watercolor

While attending the Spring Festival at the Japanese Garden, we had the pleasure of listening to a lovely performance on the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument.  Actually, we almost missed this opportunity.  After spending a morning at the festival, we were about to get in our car to leave when we saw this woman getting out of the car next to ours.  A short conversation revealed that she would be performing at the festival, so we headed back to listen.  It turned out to be one of the highlights of our day.  

This first sketch is a study for a larger oil painting I am planning, which will be a more exact likeness of Fumiko, whose grace and charm touched us as much as her music.   


  

Main Street Arts Festival

"Main Street Arts Festival"   10" x 8"   Watercolor 

I spent the weekend attending festivals!  Main Street, from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Convention Center, was filled with all manner of arts and crafts, live music, food, activities for the kids, and thousands(!) of happy festival-goers here to enjoy the 26th annual Main Street Arts Festival.  

This was also the weekend of the Japanese Garden Spring Festival, a Fort Worth tradition for over 30 years.  There was much going on here as well, with dance, music, martial-arts demonstrations, kid activities, tea ceremonies, and more.  In spite of all the activities, the garden somehow retains its beautiful, peaceful feel during these spring and fall festivals.  (Although the tranquility was momentarily interrupted by a flyover of five fighter jets -- it was also the weekend of the air show at the Fort Worth Naval Air Station.)  I'll soon post a sketch from the Spring Festival.