I took me a log time to decide to start a blog, partly because of my English. I came to this country (U.S.A) from Japan in 1982, and my English is still not “English.” My friends called my English MarEnglish. Or some nice people say, “Your English is like poetry.†Probably Japanese Language is like poetry.
Anyways, I really want to communicate with you. So I’m going to start… “All for the simple purpose of sharing†~Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales.
I’d like to announce that my painting “ Highwater†is juried in “Outstanding Visual Artists” of the region, and my other painting “Lonesome boat at the Tuna Harbor†is juried in First Paint Out Juried Competition.
Both of the shows are at the San Diego Art Institute/ Museum of Living Artist at the Balboa Park.
Shows run from December 10, 2010 to January 16, 2011
320. Highwater - 30" x 40" oil on wrapped canvas
I love the painting “Highwater†very much. I collaborated with my son, Ray on this painting. Ray photographed an old barn after a flood, with his cell phone, and e-mailed it to me. The photo inspired me to paint this painting. It’s very simple and good composition… I’m always amazed by his composition. It’s at Sunset in winter in Northern California. It’s soothing and some kind of feeling touches my heart. Some artist said at the opening party, “This painting needed to be this big.†I was so happy to hear that. This painting is oil on 30†x 40†wrapped canvas.
Happy New Year and congrats on your blog. I will check it out every so often.
Dave Bennett
Thank you David,
I will try hard to keep writing and painting.
Mariko
How wonderful to hear from you, Mariko! Your work is, as always, captivating. My favorite is still the windows in the Ahwahnee Great Lounge, which just captured my heart with its intimacy.
Please do not think of your English as anything but CHARMING! How many of us could write so well in Japanese — or any other language, for that matter.
Please give our love to your sons. I hope we can see you when we’re in Mendocino again, which should be just about any time. Happy New Year, you dear one!!
Andrea and Lani
Hi Andrea and Lani,
I’m so happy to hear from you too.
Your favorite “the windows in the Ahwahnee Great Loungeâ€, which I named “169. Snow View from The Ahwahneeâ€. At my website: http://www.mariko-irie.com under Japonica. A lot of people love the painting. And the image brings me to when you invited us to have a great time and your fantastic performing during Xmas time at the Ahwahnee hotel in Yosemite. What a wonderful memory for us.
I will send your love to my sons, Ken & Ray. At that time Xuan was Ken’s Girl friend, now his wife and have a baby Lucas. And I’m a happy Grand-ma. I moved to San Diego, where they live. It’s much warmer than Mendocino.
When you come to San Diego, please let me know. I’ll be back to San Diego on Jan.21st.
Thank you for your love and support.
Happy New Year. This year is Rabbit/Cat year in Chinese astrology; they say that it’s good year for starting new.
Mariko
Having lived in Belgium for three years plus and mastered French to the level that was impressive to fellow Americans and semi-retarded to the French and Walloons, I am deep admiration of anyone who masters a second language to the “charming” level, much better than semi-retarded!
Glad you are enjoying San Diego, but we miss your company and your beautiful simplicity of line art here in Mendocino.
Take care.
Larry
Hi Larry,
Thank you for your sweet comment.
I miss you guys a lot. After I moved to San Diego, I realized that I had a great support in Mendocino area.
I’m so glad that I started my blog. I’m getting comments and e-mails from you guys. So I feel much better.
Thank you so much,
Mariko
Hi Mariko!
Love your new blog – especially how you are sharing about your background and influences as an artist. Peter and I really enjoyed the Hokusai exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, a twin exhibit that was held at the same time as the Post-Impressionists at the de Young. The theme of the L of H exhibit was how much the Japanese sense of design, and Hokusai’s woodblock prints in particular, influenced the Western artists working in Paris in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Later Peter and I enjoyed a film about Hokusai. A real treasure of Japan! Wonderful to see how his work has inspired you, and to understand more about your art.
I was wondering how we will know that you have uploaded a new entry to your blog? Will you let us know or do we have to subscribe somehow? Can you let us know how that works?
I like hearing it’s a good year ‘to starting new’. Rabbit/Cat =^..^= or ^^.
All the best to you dear Mariko!
Rita
Hi Rita,
Thank you for your kind comment.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the Hokusai exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
They are exhibiting Dreams & Diversions 250 Years of Japanese Woodblock Prints: http://www.sdmart.org/art/exhibit/dreams-diversions at the San Diego Museum of Art through June 05, 2011. It’s wonderful opportunity to see these, so many original Woodblock prints in U.S. And right now they are showing half of the show. And they will change to the other half on Feb.13.
Yes, Hokusai’s woodblock prints in particular, influenced the Western artists working in Paris in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
When we were learning art history of European Impressionism, our professor told us that Hokusai’s woodblock prints went as wrapping papers for Japanese ceramics, which were imported to Europe.
“I was wondering how we will know that you have uploaded a new entry to your blog?â€
Thank you for asking.
I will ask my son, Ken who is my computer guy since he was eight years old. He sat up and designed my blog. I will ask how automatically email people when there are updates.
Thank you for your great support,
All the best to you too dear Rita!
Mariko