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Back to Toronto and returned to work. I’ve just done a workshop for kids and adults today at JCCC. I demonstrated some basic crayon painting techniques such as blending, stumbling and cross-hatching and showed how to use crayon by creating a fun crayon portrait. This painting technique can be very effective when portraying atmosphere and often heightens the sense of depth in a painting.I don’t think I’m good at teaching, but I like to encourage children in creative art activities. Read the article on Bits magazine here

 

 

 

 

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This week I visited pottery and master ceramicist artist Masanobu Ando in his gallery/studio at Tajimi, Gifu prefecture. It is a beautiful place in the middle of mountains. The gallery called “Momogusa” is in an old farmhouse he moved to the site and rebuilt.

I had first met him in March 2012, at the time he had a show at Mjolk, Toronto. We spent a couple of night together eating and chatting, and we promised to see each other again.

His wife, Akiko Ando is also an artist, textile and clothing. I fell in love with one of her pants series called “Salon” collaborated with famous textile designer minä perhonen. It is looks like a skirt, but we boys can wear it as Hakama-pants for tea ceremony occasion. So I bought one. YAY! 


I also tried pottery for the first time. Touching the spinning clay is awesome. Pottery is an art of essentials: earth, water, and fire, guided by the human element of spirit. mmm… it’s like Zen.

 

 

 

 

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Had a tea ceremony in Kamakura, Japan. I’m so happy that my dear friend has finally opened her gallery in such a prime location, just a minutes walk from ocean. So this tea ceremony is dedicated to celebrating the launch of her lovely space. I look forward to next one in near future.

 

 

 

 

 

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We’re back from Tohoku journey. We visited temporary houses, community centres and orphanage in Fukushima and Miyagi. There are so many untold stories, so many heartbreaking stories I can’t tell right now. Just give us a moment…

I would like to gratefully and sincerely thank my friend Yumi, Jason for all your help.  And thank our cordinators, Ms. Takahashi, Ms. Suzuki, Mr. Tsukamoto, Mr. Kawamura, Mr. McMichael, Mr. Itakura, Mr. Araki, Mr. Sato and many volunteers who made it all possible i would like to thank you all.

Just for now, take a look these photos on Facebook below:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?

 

 

 

 

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Yes, I’m in Japan. I was on a radio show called “Suono Dolce” this afternoon with George Koller to promote “MapleLeaf RisingSun“, our charity album for victims of earthquake and tsunami. Mari Inubushi, a radio personality -obviously pretty- led us into a very smooth conversation about why we are here and what we’re going to do, just asking us straight questions. One of a songs from the album, Aaliah Michaela’s “Never Walk Away” has been played. That’s good. We’re heading to Tohoku tonight!

 

 

 

 

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Photoshoot day. No matter you like it or not, you must wear clothes in public places. But you have a choice what to wear. George and I are going to visit Japan soon and we decided to wear a hat, dark jeans, collared shirt and putting Haori, Japanese traditional jacket over it. That has made a very big impact. There is a very strong sense of direction on where we are came from and headed. Much thanks for Stuart Lowe creating some of the most magnificent images we have ever shot.


 

 

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DAY 4: I chatted with neighbours and exchange cards all day. Then we wrapped up the four-day showcase in the Toronto Art Expo 2012. We delivered a painting to the customer’s house. Look! He’s happy that he found his new home.

A big thank you to everyone for all your support and messages! and I personally wanted to thank Funding Matters Inc., for their generous sponsorship to make this happen. Special thanks Melissa Bender ,Shinya Kumazawa and Miyuki for everything you have helped me with.

 

 

 

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DAY 1: Toronto Art Expo 2012 is kicked off. I performed a tea ceremony at the opening gala and served a bowl of tea to my guests including the Consul General of Japan Mr. Yamamoto, Fusako and Midori, featured artists from Japan.