“850. Koi & Waterfall” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

According to Chinese tradition, if the Koi swims up to the top of the waterfall, it becomes a dragon.

Japanese adapted the idea.

So Koi indicates ascendant, prosperity and more.

In Edo Period (1603-1868) Samurai family used to decorate Koinobori in their yard for wishing for their children’s succeed in life around May 5^th.

Koinobori meaning “carp streamer” in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a national holiday; Children’s Day on May 5th.

I have seen Koinobori, which are carp-shaped wind socks in California.

What an imagination, flying fishes in the sky, isn’t it?

When we went to San Diego in the last June, we visited Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park.

I visited the Japanese garden the last time was 5 years ago.

The garden looks much mature looking. The Japanese Friendship Gardener, who had worked the Japanese emperor’s garden in Japan. The Japanese garden takes long time to form. I heard a Japanese gardener images for 10 years ahead, and then plant.

They expanded Japanese Friendship Garden much bigger into the canyon.

They made creek and waterfall and Japanese buildings and planted many trees including cherry trees and willow trees.

Another 5 years after, these trees and bush will glow, it will be nice view.

They have a couple of Koi pond.

And near Art museums in Balboa Park, there is a water lily pond. You may find Koi and turtles as well.

“848. Koi (Carps)” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This painting “848. Koi” is created from these nice memories.

“853. Bird in Spring” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This is Uguisu, which is Japanese Bush warbler.

They start sing when Plum flowers start bloom.

After cold and gloomy winter, their singings indicate “Spring is here. Cheers!”

If you like to listen their singings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhXfQrKvokU

“852. Bird Waiting for Spring” oil painting by Mariko Irie

This Bird is Mejiro, which is a Japanese White-eye.

I have thought this bird is Uguisu, which is Japanese Bush Warbler till check with Wikipedia.

Many of Japanese confused Mejiro and Uguisu.

Because Japanese called Uguisu-Iro, which is the name of color, is same as Mejiro feather color.

The Japanese White-eye starts singing from early spring on or by the plum trees.

Hi everybody,

My show at the Northcoast Artists Gallery in Fort Bragg will be round the corner.

After my show reception at the Highlight Gallery in June, we went to San Diego to have a family gathering. We had a great time together for one week.

Then I started painting for the show “Mariko Irie 2016”.

I had ideas for this show in January in this year.

Now I finished main paintings.

I love to show you one of them  “847. Plum Trees”.

“847. Plum Trees” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This is Mariko Irie Japonnica.

Plum blossoms indicate harbinger of spring after cold winter.

How do you like my new direction?

And these are close-ups of the painting “847. Plum Trees”

“847-1. Plum Trees Part 1” Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

“847-2. Plum Trees Part 2” Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

“847-3. Plum Trees Part 3” Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

“847-4 Plum Trees Part 4” Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

Love,

Mariko

“846. Quiet Moment at Jug Handle Beach” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Jug Handle State Park, which is one of my favor beaches.

Some how, when I’m there, it relaxes and soothes me.

The atmosphere holds me nicely and softly.

What a wonderful place, don’t you feel?

“840. Spring Ranch” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is along the Hwy 1, Spring Ranch in Little River CA.

I painted “551. To Mendocino II”

“551. To Mendocino II” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This was same location but facing North.

This time I painted facing South.

I don’t know how many times I drove this location.

When I lived in Mendocino, facing north was my way home.

Now I live in Santa Rosa, so facing south is my way home.

After rain, fresh grasses cover ground. It’s spring.

Sun is going down. So shadow is long.

The oldest barn has been standing there since 1864. So many histories went by.

Everything is fresh and exciting for our lives and I will cherish this scene.

I love Roses.

“845. Rose World II” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Russian River Rose Company in Healdsburg CA.

This painting looks so busy. But actual place is very clean and neat.

I wanted to paint roses’ energy.

Lovely roses are everywhere, and cheer me up.

Cheer to May flowers and you.

“825. Clear Sea” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is very closed to Mendocino village CA.

It was cloudy day.

When it’s cloudy, I can see more colors than when it’s sunny.

I stared at waves coming and going without paying attention to the time.

I was watching the beautiful colors, aren’t they beautiful?

“839. Sunny April at Big River Beach” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Big River Beach, CA.

It’s April Spring.

Nice warm lights are everywhere.

Feel so good and relaxing.

Let’s breath deep and smile.

I painted same scene as this in Watercolor before:

http://www.mariko-irie.com/peekingbigriverbeach.html

I’m having fun painting same scene in watercolor and in oil still.

What do you think?