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

It happens sometimes. The disaster photography trip. It's my last Spring Sakura season here in Japan, and I really wanted to photograph the blossoms at Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background. It's an iconic image, and I wanted my own version. It's very important to me to get my own photo, as it's a symbol that I was actually there. My memory preserved. Of course, I'm not such a fanatic that I ONLY take photos and don't sit and enjoy and absorb the memory of being i

I like naming my paintings with three words, three names. Sort of zen-ish, or of Haiku-esque. So here we have my most recent watercolor painting to date. It's featuring the Autumn season. It's got Mount Fuji. It's got Chureito Pagoda. The title had to be Autumn Fuji Pagoda, it just had to! Another Christmas present to be. Aren't the Autumn colors wonderful?! This is one of my favorite views around the Fuji area. I have yet to see it with Spring blossoms. That will be one my t

Another Mount Fuji painting! And this time overlooking the gorgeous Lake Motosu. It was a brilliant day for viewing all the amazing colors of Autumn. I took loads of photos, and one of them was worthy of being transformed into a watercolor painting. The blue of the lake against the reds, oranges and greens of the trees on the hills surrounding. Fuji was clear and crisp, with a wispy cloud floating across every once in a while. I stayed down by this lake until the sun went dow

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

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

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 have really enjoyed this series. My little 3 x 5 inches watercolor paintings; completed within 20-30 minutes. They have been very popular, and subsequently, I only have one or two unsold, at this point! I am painting more, though. I want to share with you some of the framed completed paintings, and my most recently painted ones. Fuji Views: Blue Line Mountains 2016 Fuji Views: Fuji View 2016 Fuji Views: Tree And Sunset Mountain 2016 And here's some (now) sold paintings in t

Our apartment windows host views of Mt. Fuji most clear days, and it is such a privilege. I understand the reverence many Japanese people have for this most beautiful mountain. I call these waves of blue mountains the 'mirage mountains' for some days there are layers and layers of rolling mountain range, and other days I can barely see the other side of the runway (we live near a runway FYI). It makes viewing them all the more poignant, and I make the time to stop and appreci