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Gondolier III, Venice Italy Painting

1/31/2009 10:12:52 PM

I heard becoming a gondolier in Venice is a serious business. According to eHow careers, first you have to (1) find a mentor willing to tutor you, then (2) attend a school to learn how to maneuver the gondola, and (3) practice, practice, practice! When you think you're ready, (4) you take the exam offered by the Gondolier Association. If you pass this very difficult exam, (5) you finally get your license to be an official gondolier. The competition is fierce and there are only 400 licensed gondoliers in Venice. Wow, it sounds very serious. But one thing maybe I'd like to see change [...]

Roma, Italia XIV, Italian Landscape Painting

1/30/2009 1:25:56 PM

Roma, Italia XIV This is a busy scene with lots of things going on. Can you hear... a cameriere busily serving coffee inside the bar, neighbors catching up on what's happened in each other's life, a man trying to join in the conversation from a balcony upstairs, and another opening a huge door to his apartment, and probably one or two vespas zipping by in the background (or foreground) every few seconds? I don't even remember the name of this street in Rome, but I am glad that I captured this slice of daily life. Another of my fond memories of the [...]

Cadaqués, Spain I, Spanish Landscape Painting

1/29/2009 6:22:50 PM

To paint this lovely whitewashed village on the Costa Brava, I asked myself, what could be a better medium than watercolor? (Yes, I have to admit watercolor is the only thing I know a little of). I didn't need a lot of paint colors but squeezed plenty of cobalt blue on my palette and a few others to get started. Working from the top in wet-in-wet, making sure to cut around the white of the paper, employing a variety of brush strokes here and there, I re-created my memory of a fun summer day in Cadaqués. Cadaqués, Spain I Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 16 [...]

One More Cast (River Cruise, Kyoto IX), Japanese Landscape Painting

1/28/2009 6:26:18 PM

Over several points of pocket water and boulders, I think I heard this lone angler say "One more cast." This is one of the scenes that I remember from a whitewater boat ride down the Hozu River in the Arashiyama area. The river runs through an unbelievably picturesque gorge where mountainsides are covered with lush trees (pine, cherry, maple, cedar, etc). Different types of birds can be heard here and there (we spotted a common kingfisher) and sometimes monkeys come down for food (one greeted us). The ride took about 2 hours, mostly smooth but pretty exciting at times due to many rapids we had to pass. After conquering [...]

Roma, Italia X, Italian Landscape Painting

1/27/2009 5:19:22 PM

Roma, Italia X Some streets in the world are so well-known that the name itself has become an icon of something many people can associate with: Wall Street, Abbey Road, La Rambla, Champs-Elysées, Appian Way... just to name a few. This alley in Rome is definitely not one of those streets, as far as I know. In fact, I could have easily walked past without looking if a glaring reflection on the car hadn't blinded me. I turned to my right, and there I saw this view. The whole atmosphere was so arresting I knew I had to paint it. Roma, Italia X A larger image of [...]

Paris Café XII (Montmartre), French Landscape Painting

1/26/2009 5:08:11 PM

The Montmartre district sits on a hilltop in the north of Paris. It was more like a village until recently with vineyards and windmills. A few of them still remain today. It has a unique character of its own and thus has attracted an equally unique mix of people to live there. That includes great masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani and Toulouse-Lautrec. Today we see the next Van Gogh's and Picasso's on its squares and streets, offering to make our portraits. Paris Café XII (Montmartre) Click here for a large view of this painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper [...]

Marisqueira, Portuguese Landscape Painting

1/25/2009 5:35:32 PM

If you like fish and seafood, Portugal is a good place to be. Take cod, for example. I was amazed to hear the Portuguese know 365 different ways to cook the fish! I would imagine "What should we have for dinner?" is a question that is never asked in their households. If you smell any smoke while walking in Portugal, look around, and you will find somebody grilling sardines nearby. During its history as a powerful empire, this seafaring nation's culinary influence reached many parts of the world, including Japan, another small country in the Far East. Read my related post (Saudade in Portugal). Marisqueira, [...]

River Cruise, Kyoto VII, Japanese Landscape Painting

1/24/2009 7:20:44 PM

A leisurely cruise down the river in Arashiyama (in Kyoto) feels more like white-water rafting at times (read related post). But there's no need to be nervous because a couple of boatmen on board seem to know every single rapid and big rock along the way. They navigate with such ease, using long poles, that passengers can immerse themselves in the beauty of the mountains. They are also very friendly, funny folks, telling jokes the whole time to passengers. Here in this painting, my boatman is off to another ride. River Cruise, Kyoto, Japan VII Click here for [...]

River Cruise, Kyoto VI, Japanese Landscape Painting

1/23/2009 3:35:52 PM

In Kyoto, my hometown, there are so many temples, shrines, gardens and sights that represent Japan's traditional beauty, but no place is as peaceful and scenic as Arashiyama in western Kyoto. With lush mountains and rivers, the Arashiyama area has always attracted people who marveled at the breath-taking views of quite different colors in each season. Boating along the gorge was a favorite pastime of the Heian court. Today many visitors go there to have the same experience, a tradition that dates back to the 9th century. River Cruise, Kyoto, Japan VI Click here for a large view of this painting. [...]

Road to Eiheiji Temple III, Japanese Landscape Painting

1/22/2009 12:44:00 PM

This is one from my Eiheiji Temple series (read related post). Streetscapes like this are surely my favorite genre. In my paintings I like telling stories of ordinary people. It is ever so intriguing for me to depict their lives in the context of a streetscape. Is it merely recording a tiny piece of history of our time in a particular place? I'd like to think there's more than that when I see beauty, or rather the integrity of the humanity, in something banal or even vulnerable. Road to Eiheiji Temple, Japan III A larger image of this painting is [...]

Paris Café X, French Landscape Painting

1/21/2009 1:23:19 PM

Paris Café X (La Rotonde) Here's another painting of the famous La Rotonde café. In Paris, finding a café is never a problem as there are so many. But it may take some time to find the right kind for you as each one has a distinct character. No matter which one you choose, a café is a great place to sip your favorite drink and socialize or work or read. It seems to me, though, most people just enjoy watching the world go by. Or is it them who are being watched? By the way, this brasserie/café receives good reviews particularly for their [...]

A Boy in Vatican City, Italian Landscape Painting

1/20/2009 7:16:29 PM

A Boy in Vatican City I spotted this Italian boy in Vatican City. He was sitting on the steps that define the massive St. Peter's Square. He was so absorbed feeding pigeons I doubt he ever noticed I was sketching the scene. When I think of all the things I saw in and around Rome, I always remember the pure joy of watching him just being a kid. A Boy in Vatican City Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in (19.1 x 24.1 cm) Mat Size: 11 x 14 in Purchase: Sold [...]

Paris Café VIII, French Landscape Painting

1/19/2009 10:44:48 PM

Paris Café VIII (La Rotonde) La Rotonde is one of the historic cafés in the Montparnasse neighborhood in Paris. Founded in 1911, this place was a hangout for artists who left Montmartre as well as Russian exiles. Even if one doesn't know the history behind this famous café, its bright red canopies attract everybody's attention. Paris Café VIII Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in (19.1 x 24.1 cm) Mat Size: 11 x 14 in Purchase: Sold [...]

Venezia II, Venice Italy Painting

1/18/2009 7:07:57 PM

At day's end, a gondolier brought back his gondola to be moored. He said buona sera and disappeared into the crowd. Looking out to the Venetian lagoon with the San Giorgio Maggiore church in the far distance. Venezia, Italy II Click here for a large view of this painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 9.5 x 7.5 in (24.1 x 19.1 cm) Mat Size: 14 x 11 in Purchase: Sold [...]

Le Vieux-Nice II, French Landscape Painting

1/17/2009 7:16:12 PM

Le Vieux-Nice, France II Continuing on to work more on Old Town of Nice, France paintings. I just love the striking contrast of colors when they shine under the intense summer sun on the French Riviera. When it is cold out there, it feels good to get lost in the scene like this, n'est-ce pas? Le Vieux-Nice, France II Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in (29.2 x 21 cm) Purchase: Sold [...]

Firenze, Italy VII, Italian Landscape Painting

1/16/2009 9:01:38 PM

Firenze, Italy VII This is a street not far from the Ponte Vecchio in the city of Florence. I see a painting virtually everywhere when I walk in Florence or elsewhere in Italy. In fact, it is hard to keep walking as I have to stop and savor the atmosphere every few seconds. Mark Twain said, "The Creator made Italy from designs of Michelangelo." It must be true. Firenze, Italy VII Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in (29.2 cm X 21 cm) Mat/Frame: Yes/No Mat Size: 18 x 14 in. (Mat color: white) Purchase: Sold [...]

Firenze, Italy VI, Italian Landscape Painting

1/15/2009 6:16:44 PM

This is a view of Florence, Italy from Piazzale Michelangelo on the other side of the Arno River. A walk from the Ponte Vecchio to get here is long but definitely worth it for this lovely, panoramic view of the city. Firenze, Italy VI Click here for a large view of this painting. Media: original watercolor Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in (21 cm X 29.2 cm) Mat/Frame: Yes/No Mat Size: 14 x 18 in. (color: white) Purchase: Sold [...]

Gardanne, France I, French Landscape Painting

1/14/2009 2:37:03 PM

Gardanne is a small provençal town near Aix-en-Provence and is the only village painted by Paul Cézanne. He moved here to paint and his new style, cubism, was born. Gardanne, France I Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in (29.2 cm x 21 cm) Mat/Frame: No Purchase: Sold [...]

Restaurant (Arles, France I), French Landscape Painting

1/13/2009 10:54:01 PM

Blue sky, golden yellow walls, green shutters, and red awnings... So typically Provençal, so enchanting. Arles, France I Click here for a large view of this painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 21 x 14 in. (53.3 x 35.6 cm) Mat/Frame: No/No Purchase: Sold [...]

Stefano's, Hollywood Blvd., California Landscape Painting

1/12/2009 10:28:08 PM

Stefano's, Hollywood Blvd. In front of a casual pizza place on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles, several guys were shooting the breeze under the sunny California sky. Stefano's, Hollywood Blvd. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in (21 x 29.2 cm) Mat/Frame: No Purchase: Private Collection [...]

Procida, Italy II, Italian Landscape Painting

1/12/2009 1:25:00 AM

Sunset, a fishing village, a small island in Southern Italy ... Who can ask for more as a perfect setting? (read more about Procida). Procida, Italy II Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in (19.1 x 24.1 cm) Mat/Frame: Yes/Yes Mat Size: 11 x 14 in. (mat color : white) Purchase: Private Collection [...]

Painting Every Day

1/12/2009 12:53:58 AM

If you haven't checked out recent works or blogs of the current Daily Painters, here is a link to the site of each artist. I am really happy to be able to show my works together with these great artists. Enjoy different paintings of various subjects in a variety of media, every day on the homepage of the following galleries. Daily Painters Gallery: Abbott, Susan Adams, Mark Amberson, Tanya & Craig Anderson, Judith Animals, Art Helping Apple, Linda Applegate, Kimberly Argento, Joy Barbee, Diane Barr, Candy Beauchemin, Susan Beeman, Mike Bell, Fred Berry, Suzanne Bisbey, Brad Blencowe, Jan Boersma, Gerard Bohoy, Johanna Bonita, Todd Boron, Jeffrey J. [...]

Le Vieux-Nice I, French Landscape Painting

1/10/2009 10:57:33 PM

Le Vieux-Nice, France I Colors burst in the Old Quarters of Nice, France. No wonder... this part of the Côte d'Azur used to be Italian. Le Vieux-Nice, France I Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 10 x 5 in (25.4 x 12.7 cm) Purchase: Sold [...]

Paris Café V, French Landscape Painting

1/9/2009 11:35:15 PM

Paris Café V It would be hard to imagine Paris without cafés. This is #5 of the series of cafés in the City of Light that I started last year. Paris Café V Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 in (19.1 x 24.1 cm) Mat Size: 11 x 14 in Purchase: Sold [...]

Daily Painting - Clermont-Ferrand, France II

1/8/2009 1:55:51 PM

Clermont-Ferrand, France II Original watercolor on paper Image size: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (29 x 21 cm) Visit my website to see more French landscape paintings. Read related post on my blog. [...]

Daily Painting - Hollywood Blvd. V

1/8/2009 12:57:09 AM

Hollywood Blvd. V (Los Angeles, California) Original watercolor on paper Image size: 8 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (21 x 29 cm) Visit my website to see Hollywood Blvd. I and other California landscape paintings. [...]

Giclee Prints Available at absolutearts.com

1/7/2009 11:55:58 AM

Gondolier, VeniceV (original sold) I'm pleased to announce that five images of my popular paintings are now available in prints from absolutearts.com. These (except one) are limited-edition giclee professionally printed on high-quality watercolor paper and customers who bought them are really happy. They are all signed and limited-editions are numbered. A certificate of authenticity is included. [...]

Clermont-Ferrand, City of Black Rock

1/7/2009 2:48:00 AM

Cathedral in Clermont-Ferrand (photo) Entering the Auvergne region from other parts of France, one marvels at the dramatic change of landscapes from the flat farmland to the rugged, mountainous Massif Central. Clermont-Ferrand is a major city in the region. Situated in the heart of l'Hexagone, it is also one of the oldest cities of France with its history going back to the pre-Roman era. Once in Clermont-Ferrand, it doesn't take long to notice the city, especially in the old historic part of town, looks much darker compared to other French towns. For anybody wondering why, the answer is volcanoes (I don't [...]

Daily Painting - Clermont-Ferrand, France I

1/6/2009 12:10:31 PM

Clermont-Ferrand, France I Original watercolor on paper Image size: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (29 x 21 cm) Visit my website to see more French landscape paintings. View all my Daily Paintings. [...]

Daily Painting - Cavalletto, Venice II

1/5/2009 1:14:29 PM

Cavalletto, Venice II Original watercolor on paper Image size: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (29 x 21 cm) Visit my website to see more Venice Italy paintings. [...]

Road to Eiheiji Temple, Japanese Landscape Paintings

1/5/2009 1:35:43 AM

During the News Year’s holidays several years ago, I joined my family on a trip to Eiheiji temple in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. I did a series of paintings afterwards, which are snapshots of various scenes along the country road leading to this famous Zen temple. That day we had a typical winter weather of the coastal region along the Sea of Japan; very wet snow falling sporadically from a gray sky. We drove past fallow rice fields and up gentle hills. Everywhere it was covered with white snow, rooftops of the farm houses looking especially thick. It was so quiet [...]

Daily Painting - Hyères, France II

1/2/2009 8:36:52 AM

Hyères, France II Original watercolor on paper Image size: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (29 x 21 cm) Visit my website to see more Frernch landscape paintings. [...]

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