I have been painting since childhood.
I felt my history and evolution while taking this self-portrait with "Lotus Pond", from 2003.
It's traveled with me here to Florida, from Japan...
In the past, as in this painting, I mostly painted what I saw.
Learning as I go, in studio and en plein air,
and revelling in the beautious scenery of Japan!
Then I went digital,
using imagination and honing my hand to mouse skills, editing, and digital skills...
I've had many successful shows in Japan, mostly in the jazz clubs I also performed in,
and art house coffee shops and restaurants.
But never a gallery.
I've had no luck getting a gallery showing in Japan.
Consequently, many of my canvases, (including "The Lotus Pond")
have not been seen in public due to the smoking
that was prevalent in most non-gallery public spaces, then, in Japan...
As a jazz singer, I see similarities in the artistic creative process; you must first learn fundamentals;
learn the music as it's written, before you can "improvise" with any precision.
You just know/feel when it's time to fly.
It's time to fly.
I want to do a retrospective; incorporating my art, new and old and with some of my music
into one show.
Not much to ask from the Universe, is it?
Photo: Michio Yves Ueda
