This next watercolor is the fifth, and latest addition to my Best of Japan series. I love the way little Ramen restaurants look lit up at night. The warmth from the orange/yellow glow of the lanterns looks something spectacular with the shadows of the night time. These are the small little places, which only seat a handful of diners. This one in particular was in Matsumoto. I've taken many photos of these lanterns hanging up, inviting hungry folk in, and I'm glad to have fina

The third in my series: Fish River Koinobori This is my latest Manhole Covers of Japan series. I've developed this series a little by adding the black background. It provides the simple background contrasting to the highly busy, vibrant photos the fish bring. This piece is all about fish! Fish swimming on the manhole cover. Koi fish windsock streaming in the background: full of color and movement. And a few stray Koi fluttering across the scene. Some above the silhouette desi

I've painted many little watercolors inspired by Japan during my (almost) three years here. My time here is now on countdown, and I'm not quite ready for the next location yet (still unknown). But to celebrate my artistic time in Japan, I'm working on my 12 Best of Japan. The scenes I enjoy visiting and photographing most, and the seasons I enjoy painting most. So far, I've completed four of the twelve. The originals are 6 x 9. This is the first time I have made prints of my

I think I've developed a series with this 'shape of Japan' idea. After creating Structures That Shaped Japan, naturally I extended the idea to explore blossoms that shape Japan. With Spring around the corner, it made sense. So here's my recent photo montage. Blossoms That Shape Japan 2018 You can purchase this print here. Various print sizes available. You can view the progression of this montage in the video below. Have a wonderful Spring where ever you are! #blossoms #sakur

The half of me that is British is very British with my tea. At about 3 pm, its Tea Time. And what is rather amusing is that in England, 'Tea Time' in in fact dinner time. There's not normally tea to be had at Tea Time. For me, it's usually an Earl Grey caffeine boost to see me through the evening. I love my Peppermint tea in the morning for that refreshing wake up; especially with a drop of Peppermint Essential Oil. I miss tea with my family. Siblings chatting over cups of te

Since I started the custom travel montages for clients, I realized I hadn't actually got a Japan shaped montage of my own! Well, let's remedy that, shall we! Here's my Japan Photo Montage. I've limited it to the Torii Gates, Pagodas, bridges and Temples of Japan. Lots of vermilion red and some green and gold. I could do a city-scape one in the future, as I have plenty of those photos in stock: full of lights and neon signs. But this one is my traditional buildings ode to Japa

I started watercolor painting with little 4 x 6 paintings of Mount Fuji and all the glorious sunsets and sunrises I wake up to featuring this perfectly symmetrical mountain. (You can read more about my Fuji paintings here and here) Over the last two years I've expanded to other sights of Japan: Kyoto, pagodas, lakes, and geisha. I love geisha; it's high on my list of what I picture when I think of Japan. So I was very excited to paint this commission: three paintings, three g

I'm always amazed when looking at the stars. I love viewing other photographers' Milky Way shots. I went on a night photography trip to shoot the Milky Way above Mount Fuji. While my photos were alright, they fell so short to the splendor of the night sky above me. I shared a few of my night sky photos on my Facebook page, and shortly after doing so I was approached to do a painting commission based on the photo posted. A large painting. Well, pretty large for me. 24 x 36 inc

I love the delicate, almost spiced flavor of the Persimmon fruit. For ages, I found the shape off putting. It looks like a hard, orange tomato. When I first tasted it, it was a bit of a shock to find it sweet and delicate in taste; nothing like a tomato, I'm happy to report! I love the delicate, almost spiced flavor of the Persimmon fruit. For ages, I found the shape off putting. It looks like a hard, orange tomato. When I first tasted it, it was a bit of a shock to find it s

My dad used to live in Tokyo some 30 odd years ago, and developed an interest in photography. He and some work buddies went to the sumo tournament in Tokyo. As a child I remember looking through the slides he took on the projector. I think it's where my love for Japan began. I have roots without being roots to Japan. My granddad on my mom's side was a WWII POW of Japan. Three weeks into joining up, getting on a boat from England, my granddad was captured by the Japanese and s

What a great evening it was to explore and people watch in downtown Tokyo. We headed to the Starbucks looking over Shibuya crossing. Strawberries and cream Frappuccino: yes, I recommend! We waited a moment for some window seats to free up, and set up our cameras. I wish I’d been more prepared like Chrissy and brought a tripod, but I made do with the table. I only took my Prime lens. My 50mm. I love this little lens. It was my cheapest purchase and I love the low lighting I ca

Welcome to my introduction in to photographing the stars. And what better location than at Mount Fuji. After a week of rain and cloud laden skies thankful, how we were that it was a clear night. But with clear nights come the cool temperatures. I gave up to insufficient clothing attire about 5 minutes before our scheduled time came to an end. I used the long exposure time, of 30 seconds or so, to jump up and down; trying to regain feeling in my feet and fingers. Here’s to hop

For the last month and a half, I've been working on a triptych. Three different sized paintings of a beach scene. The scene is the beach with the red Torii gate on the rocks. These paintings were studied from a panoramic photograph taken at Shimoda, Shizuoka Peninsula, Japan sometime last year. My client commissioned me to transform the panoramic photo into a triptych scene across three different sized canvases. From left to right, we have 14 x 18 inches, 12 x 24 inches, and

Torii Gate Sunset 5 x 7 watercolor on paper $68.00 SOLD I didn't plan to be painting so many little watercolors of scenes from around Japan, but here we are a year and a half later! And I must confess how much I have enjoyed painting Chureito Pagoda with blossoms, or Geisha walking around Kyoto, or Mount Fuji. I paint different versions of the same landmark, or icon. I change the season: Autumn leaves, Sakura blossoms. I change the time of day. And the joy for painting these

This commissioned piece is all about Mount Fuji! Most of these photos were taken at the Chureito Pagoda at Fuji Highland, Fuji Q; at the base of Mount Fuji. I went in the height of Autumn; when the leaves were at the reddest and most vibrant. It is a beautiful sight in the Autumn for the leaves against Fuji. In the Spring, it is more famous for the blossoms at the foot of the pagoda, with Fuji in the background. In the afternoon sun, they glittered and gleamed like rubies. Th

This is a commissioned piece for a client who wanted a montage of the Great Buddha in Kamakura. I had visited the Daibotsu (Great Buddha) in the Autumn and taken lots of photos of it. It was a perfect blue, clear sky. The green statue stood out well against the sky. I had some late morning sun highlighting the Buddha. It was an impressive sight. I started my photographing journey from a distance; including the trees on either side and behind, as well as the paving stones. I w

We moved to Japan in 2015. Our 5th floor hosts a lovely view of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding mountain range. I love waking up in the morning and seeing how it looks. The cloud formations change, the sunset colors, and the sunrise hues: they all share very different views and feels of the same landscape. The time of year also adds interesting variation. I started making 20 minute watercolor paintings on 4 x 6 inch paper of these different views of Fuji. I guess I was inspired

I'm excited to share with you my newest Photo Montage Art! During the Spring, here in Japan, I relished, savored and celebrated the blossoms: Sakura Season. But, I must confess it has taken several months and many failed concepts and compositions before reaching these two concluding pieces. Dreams Blossoming in particular, reminds me of a dream-like world: its very soft in its layering, soft in texture and hue. There are areas of the piece that are pillow-esqe (just made up t

Today one of my Photo Montage pieces went up for exhibition in The East Design Festa Gallery, in Harajuku, Tokyo (near Shibuya and Shinjuku area). This is a great location; down the road from Harajuku station, passed the busy shopping street, and in a more laid back area. The gallery has a lot of rooms available for exhibitions; some small rooms, some very large! This is a new gallery for me, so I am only exhibiting one piece of work, but I am very pleased with the location w

A month ago, I asked for my subscribers to send me their ideas and suggestions for my new series of 5 x 7 inches illustrations. Well, after many suggestions, I can announce the winner is Rozanne Du Preez, for her suitably apt title of: Japanese Pearls. Du Preez will be awarded an illustration of her choice as a prize. Congratulations! Thank you to all the suggestions, and keep posted for more opportunities to win prints and originals of Evelyn Curry Art! Much obliged, Evelyn