“959. Black Phoebe” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I love this little bird.

After I painted this bird and stump, my brush stopped.

I left this painting on a shelf, and had looked at the painting every day.

One early morning I was watching outside: small bits of blue sky in white clouds, morning lights were twinkling on the branches.

Then I got an idea for the background of the bird.

This back ground makes the bird warm and happy, doesn’t it?

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“965. Happy Spring” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I painted this “Happy Spring” in the last month, January.

We had unbelievable warm weather. It got over 80°F in winter!!

It was so warm and made us cheerful, but now we got very cold weather.

I feel so happy that I painted this painting then and now I enjoy it in cold days.

It makes us so warm and smile, doesn’t it?

Lady bugs are well known as “good luck bug”.

The sight of a lady bug is either a call to make a wish or a sign that a wish will soon be granted.

This is for you. I hope that you enjoy this “good luck bug”like I do.

Happy Thanksgiving day!!

In Japan we don’t have  Thanksgiving day.

But we have national holidays in November.

One of them is Culture Day on November 3rd.　

Culture Day is a national holiday when people are encouraged to love freedom and peace and to promote culture. The love of freedom and peace are declared in the Constitution of Japan, which was established after World War II. Historically, November 3rd was celebrated as the birthday of the Meiji Emperor and this day of feast was called Meiji-setsu. After World War II the Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3rd, 1946. In 1948, this date was designated as Culture Day in commemoration of this event.

Many cultural events are held throughout Japan during the period around Culture Day. Art, film, drama, broadcasting, and music festivals take place at this time. Many schools also have culture festivals where students use cultural activities to display what they have done.

Other one is Kinrō kansha no hi which is a national holiday on November 23.

It is called Labor Thanksgiving day in English.

Japan borrows Thanksgiving day in USA to translate the holiday into English.

The holiday is for commemorating labor and production and giving one another thanks.

The day was originally a festival in which new rice was offered to gods.

I’d like to say Thank you for being my friends. And I’m sending my love to all of you through my painting with my smile.

“952. Peace at Jug Handle State Park” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Jug Handle State Park, CA.

“917, Three Houses with Wildflowers” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is in Mendocino Village in CA.

We used to live the house on the left.

The house on the right is Blair House. The house was used for filming “Murder she wrote”, which is an American crime drama television series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher.

The wildflower field in front of these house is named Heider Field.

When we used to live this house, right before the “July 4th” parade, they mowed the wildflowers. Till then it was a great place for kids to play “Hide and Seek”.

A lot of nice memories are in Mendocino Village, you may have them as well.

It’s a Wildflowers season in Mendocino coast, CA.

Flowers are blooming everywhere.

I love any kind of Iris.

“916. Iris on the Cliff” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

But Douglas Iris matches to this scene, isn’t it?

“915.Barn on A Sunny Afternoon” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Spring Ranch in Little River, CA.

Green is fresh and little rain paddles that tell us it’s in spring in Northern California.

Eucalyptus trees and an old barn in warm sun light, what a charming scene, isn’t it?

“911. Morning Light” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is the North of MacKerricher beach, CA.

I love this painting.

Even it’s gloomy day, this painting lifts my energy.

Morning sun hits waves, lights are dancing and sparkling.

What a happy morning, isn’t it?

“910. Light in Mendocino” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This is in Mendocino village CA.

This location is on that corner of the West end of Main Street and Heeser Street,

The West side of Heeser Street there were old fence, now only posts are left.

The yellow house is never changed, I think.

It’s a quiet place, but a little excitement with these clouds.

I love to share my happy news with you.

“A Barn by the Hwy One” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

Senator Mike McGuire selected my painting “766.A Barn by the Hwy One” for the Senate’s 2017-2018 California Contemporary Art Collection Exhibit.

The Senate initiated this program in 1997 to recognize contemporary California Art. Each Senator is asked select an artist his/her district to exhibit their artwork there in the Stare Capital for approximately 18 months. A catalogue of the collection is also produced.

40 paintings which is including mine were selected for this exhibit.

My painting represents from north of SF to the border of Oregon.

I’m very delighted and feel so horned.

“900. Intermission of the Storm” Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

This scene was during the last storm.

Dark clouds covered over our head, suddenly the dark clouds opened and blue sky peeked.

Light came through clouds. It was so beautiful.

And sparkling on waves.

What a fantasy world, isn’t it?