First full day at Chinatown Artists Lofts and I wake up to bamboo filling a bright alcove space. In Japan, on the first day of business, it is customary to see a new bamboo stalk ready to grow as the business does. Coincidentally it was also World Bamboo Day, an auspicious beginning, I felt.
Each morning lazy Loft Cat oozes about the greenery, but does deign to twitch his tail if you wish him a “Good Morning.” Jet lag hits hard in the afternoon so Loft Cat has the right idea.
Focusing this artist residency on the human form I have started with sketching ideas. Utilizing Adobe Sketch and all the fun layers options I designed a first test piece:
It’s been a great week of reconnecting with Hawai’i and reconnecting with friends with the week culminating in full day of concentrated studio time with my friend, Chloe Tomomi! I finished stitching the wire crocheted sculpture form I started earlier in the week. Using 20 gauge black wire and adding a 26 gauge navy blue, several stitch plans had to be revised to create the look I was going for. I still have a thought to add a few fiber accents. Not sure if it will be a good idea but adding them and changing my mind won’t harm the piece:
Total size: 24″ x 3″ – Using a Japanese size 8 hook.
As I took photos of our progress, I see that Chloe Tomomi’s colorful painting stands out:
Chloe and I started the days work with a conversation re the Japanese use of blue vs green and with a lovely landscape with mountains in just the right shade of ‘green.’
After creating them she chose to switch gears and made this lovely scene:
Materials: Arches Cold Press 140lb, Kuretake Gansai Tambi 36, Daniel Smith, Holbein Gouache 18
Later in the evening she chose to complete the first piece:
Materials: Arches Cold Press 140lb, Nicker Poster Color. Inspired by Nickerenogu YouTube vid.
Many of Chloe’s works are available in her Etsy Shop: Chloe Tomomi
You can follow my day to day works in progress & art adventures on Instagram: StudioDeanna
Ark of the Unicorns’ Artist Residency at Chinatown Artists Lofts: Instagram: ArkoftheUnicorns