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Il fait toujours beau en Bretagne! no.II

11/9/2014 1:18:50 PM

This painting is one of the demonstrations I did in my recent workshop in Brittany. Pointe du Chevet is at the tip of the peninsula near Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer on the Emerald Coast of Brittany, France. As seen in the photo (below), the view we had from there was stunningly beautiful, and the weather couldn't have been better, either. Both my students and I were so eager to take advantage of this one fine day to paint outdoors. When we arrived there, the tide was low, exposing much of the mud flat in front of us. Damp mud glistening in the sunlight, instead of [...]

Il fait toujours beau en Bretagne! no. I

11/2/2014 8:13:45 AM

Il fait toujours beau en Bretagne: I was in Brittany last month and my Breton host taught me this expression. When people say "il fait toujours beau" (the weather is always fine), it may be true in certain parts of the world. But "en Bretagne" (in Brittany) in northwest of France? The area is known for variable weather patterns even in a day. Recently I taught a plein-air workshop near the small town of Ploubalay of Brittany for 5 days. Each morning around the dining table where we all ate, our conversation started with "what's the weather like today?" and ended at [...]

Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy

11/21/2013 3:56:53 AM

One of my favorite paintings is John Singer Sargent's piece that depicted the façade of the Salute. Rather, this painting is much more than just "favorite." Early on in my career as a watercolor painter, I was simply in awe when I saw it for the first time. I would even call that a life-changing experience. Almost anything my eyes see in Venice can be a painting. At least that's how I feel. But scenes involving Santa Maria della Salute are especially magnificent... "Santa Maria della Salute, Venice III" (10"x29") - available "Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy IV" (19"x13") - sold "Venetian Sunset VII" [...]

Hakodate, Hokkaido III, Japanese Landscape Painting

8/17/2013 10:37:31 AM

Old-fashioned street cars bring me back distant memories of my childhood. As a toddler, I remember always wanting to go out for a little walk with my beloved grandmother. To me, it meant feeding pigeons at a nearby temple and waving to street cars on the way there while my grandmother was watching me with a gentle smile. I can't remember well a lot of other things from those days but a few things such as street cars have had a special place in my heart. Whenever I hear the familiar sound of a street car, I think of those old, happy days [...]

Hakodate, Hokkaido II, Japanese Landscape Painting

8/12/2013 9:10:10 AM

There are many things that make the city of Hakodate attractive and thus famous among visitors. Streets on the northeastern side of Mount Hakodate are particularly popular. And you will know why if you go there to see these streets (called "saka" or slopes), leading up to the mountain from the Port of Hakodate, command a breathtaking view of the city and the Bay of Hakodate. A number of historical buildings in the area is also what makes it worthwhile to visit there. In this painting is one of those slopes with the old Public Hall in the background. It's a beautiful [...]

Gion Festival, Summer Tradition in Kyoto, Japanese Landscape Painting

7/18/2013 10:29:36 AM

For people living in Kyoto, July means the Gion Matsuri Festival. Although in the city of Kyoto they celebrate so many events all year round, there's nothing like the month-long Gion Festival that culminates their pride in their historical and cultural heritage. It started as a religious purification ritual shortly after Japan's capital was moved to Kyoto in 794. Since then, the ritual has grown to showcase the pride and prosperity of merchants of the city that was Japan's capital for 1,000 years.A highlight of the festival is a parade of massive floats ornately decorated with various kinds of artwork. When [...]

San Giorgio, Venice I, Italian Landscape Painting

7/1/2013 11:21:18 AM

Painting en plein air in Venice may be every painter's dream. But, compared to painting in the comfort of an indoor studio, painting outdoors has more elements to factor in, so it can be quite challenging. For one thing, in Venice, there is a constant flow of people, mainly tourists, virtually everywhere. Yet with careful planning and a bit of luck, we can manage to set up an easel and paint without fighting a crowd even near a popular spot like San Marco. Get up and go out to paint before tourists finish their breakfast, or try it when day-trippers leave at the end [...]

Venice Reflections XI, Italian Landscape Painting

1/25/2013 12:02:25 AM

I am delighted and honored to announce my participation in the Les Aquarellades 2013, an international invitational watercolor exhibition. It takes place in Mons, Belgium, about 50km SSW of Brussels, from today through February 10. Four original paintings of mine, including this one, are on exhibit, together with works of other fine watercolorists selected for this show. I will also have the pleasure of doing a 2-day workshop, Saisir l'atmosphere et la lumiere en aquarelle and a demo during the event. Venice Reflections XI Click for an enlarged view. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 29 x 10 inches (74 x 25 cm) Frame/Mat: Yes Purchase: Available during exhibition. Please send me an [...]

Yurakucho Station, Tokyo, Japanese Landscape Painting

1/4/2013 2:22:44 AM

If you're a salaryman (corporate businessman) working or visiting in Japan's capital, chances are that you have spent an evening under the train tracks at Yurakucho Station. There you find numerous izakaya's, small, traditional Japanese eating places and casual drinking places. After work, a number of businessmen are seen here drinking and socializing with their friends or co-workers over popular dishes such as yakitori.This painting depicts an early evening scene around Yurakucho Station. The area is getting crowded with businessmen who have just come out of nearby office buildings. Are they heading home or are they here for chotto ippai (a [...]

Vienna II, Austrian Landscape Painting

9/17/2012 6:05:47 PM

Fiakers are to Vienna as gondolas are to Venice. Fiaker is a name used in Austria's capital city, for a carriage drawn by two horses. In the historical center of Vienna, one fiaker after another was passing by me every ten minutes or so. The rhythmic clickety-clack of the horses hooves so soothing and relaxing, it put me in the mood for a Viennese waltz. Vienna, Austria II Click here for an enlarged view of this painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 11.5 x 11.5 inches (29 x 29 cm) Frame/Mat: No Purchase: Please send me an email for details. - Join me on Facebook and follow [...]

Japan Watercolor Society Second Exhibition in Yokohama

1/31/2012 3:36:07 AM

I am pleased to announce that I have two paintings, "Le Panier, Marseille, France I" and "Orvieto, Italy VII" included in the Second Exhibition of the Japan Watercolor Society (JWS). The show starts on February 1 and ends on February 7. All the paintings hung in the show are original watercolor works by 24 members of the JWS. Venue: Gallery Dada, Yokohama Sogo Department Store 9th Floor, Yokohama, Japan Merchandise: Two sets of postcards (with images of artwork of the exhibitors) available for sale at the Gallery or online (order form). Postcards with images of the artists' work - already selling quickly Le Panier, Marseille, [...]

Retour de la série «Paris Café»

3/6/2011 11:57:19 PM

Paris Café LI (Montmartre) Paris Café was the series of mostly small works depicting different cafés in the city of Paris. I started it in 2009 and, after making 50 paintings, I announced the end of the series. I am happy to say most of the 50 paintings found a new home and that I still hear from visitors to my website that they continue enjoying viewing the images of those paintings. In fact, after the announcement, I myself couldn't stop painting scenes involving Parisian cafés, bistros, bars and restaurants, and occasionally showed them here on my blog (see my Paris, France category). Without [...]

Gondolier X, Venice Italy Painting

2/28/2011 7:02:09 AM

San Bartolomeo is a church tucked away behind the Rialto Bridge. Some time after its foundation in the 9th century, it became the church of the German trading community that enjoyed an active commerce in this area. The bell tower was constructed when the church was rebuilt following the 1688 earthquake. The onion shaped dome with an octagonal drum is visible from the Grand Canal. The traffic on the Grand Canal, Venice's main waterway, is always very busy near the Rialto Bridge, with all kinds of boats going up and down and across the corridor. But skilled gondoliers would just paddle their [...]

Santa Fe Depot, San Diego Paintings

2/17/2011 3:36:34 AM

I can't think of a better place than Santa Fe Depot (Union Station) to welcome visitors to San Diego. It's such a beautiful place and I even think making a trip to see just that is worthwhile. The architecture, reflective of the city's Spanish Colonial heritage, is breathtaking. When passengers get off a train and walk alongside the historic building and rows of majestic palm trees, I see them just smiling. Once inside, then the interior makes anyone stop and say wow. The high ceiling, brilliant tile work throughout, cozy benches, and a little cafe... all create a very inviting atmosphere. As light [...]

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego VIII, California Landscape Painting

2/14/2011 6:47:58 AM

This is one of my favorite views of San Diego. Halfway between Del Mar and the Torrey Pines State Reserve, where Highway 101 passes over the railroad tracks, we have this sweeping panoramic view of the coastal lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. While this painting was done in my studio, I like painting outside and Torrey Pines Beach is one of the local places where I enjoy doing so. Click to see other paintings of Torrey Pines Beach: Torrey Pines State Beach VI, San Diego 100 (#45), San Diego 100 (#29) painting en plein air near the Torrey Pines Beach Torrey Pines Beach, San [...]

Venice Reflections VIII, Italian Landscape Painting

11/16/2009 2:07:37 AM

Venice Reflections VIII I don't even remember what else was there because I was so mesmerized by the light at sunset time in Venice. Its soft and magical quality was amazing. And the reflection on the water was spectacular. That's all I remember about this particular spot. Using my photo and quick sketch, I did my first painting Venice Canal III-5. I think I was able to capture the atmosphere and the flavor of this magical moment. Based on this first painting, I made a few more pieces, including today's painting. For today's painting, I used a vertical format to give [...]

Julian III, California Landscape Painting

10/31/2009 1:02:17 AM

Julian III I have painted and blogged, many times, about Julian, a small town in the mountains north of San Diego. In each of my blog posts, I tried to choose a different topic about this favorite town of the people in San Diego, but what would Halloween be without a little scary story? Here's one about Julian Hotel. I never stayed there so I don't know how true the story is... Happy Halloween, everyone! Julian, California III A larger image of this painting is available on request. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 13 x 6.5 [...]

Albi La Rouge (French Landscape Painting)

9/10/2009 1:31:57 AM

Albi is a picturesque town with unique history and rich cultural heritage. It stands by the river Tarn in the southwest of France near Toulouse. This painting shows the towering cathedral that looks almost like a fortress. Many buildings in Albi have reddish hues because of bricks used in the local architecture -- the reason the town is called Albi La Rouge. Over the past years I have painted several times serene views of Albi's red buildings and bridges reflected on the river. One thing that draws me is its irresistible beauty, which is powerfully therapeutic as well. I can feel I calm down instantly when I [...]

Labor Day Weekend Sale - Paris Café Paintings

9/4/2009 1:24:24 AM

Paris Café IX (La Rotonde) Last year I started painting a series of Parisian cafe scenes (Paris Cafe Collection) as a tribute to someone very close who was a big influence in my life -- my love for Paris in particular. I didn't think how many pieces I would eventually create; Rather, I started this series as a long-term project. I knew I was passionate about the City of Lights but I never knew my emotion could go so deep. I love Paris more and more as I finish every single painting! I am very thankful that this series has been very well collected. I have just taken down three paintings [...]