In the first three paintings I have experimented introducing japanese “washi paper”. Again Tamasaburo Bando the famous Kabuki actor appears in the first two, as an adult first and then as a Child. The “Tamasaburo Child” painting is based on a short black and white video of one of Tamasaburo Bando’s first on stage performances probably at the age of four years old. Tamasaburo is a legend in Japanese Kabuki Theatre where he usually plays the role of a woman which is called playing “Onnagata” at which he is the undisputed master even now at his advanced age.
Looking back at black & white pictures of Japan I try to imagine what it must have been like living in those days.. and if the camera had captured the clolour, what might that picture have revealed? does coloring a black and white picture differently create alternative realities?… or is it the shape and essence of the person or object portrayed that really determines the outcome? … color setting the mood, here is my interpretation of these vintage Japan black and white photographs….
“ Bando Grace ”
“ La Elegancia de Bando ”
135,000 Yen
65 x 50 cm (26 x 20”)
mixed media: acrylic and washi paper on canvas
“Tamasaburo Child”
“Tamasaburo Niño”
35,000 Yen
27.5 x 27,5 cm (11 x 11”)
mixed media: acrylic & washi paper on canvas
“Camelia Girl”
“La Chica de la Camelia”
SOLD
36 x 53cm (18 x 21”)
mixed media: acrylic, washi & paper on canvas
“ The silk paddle fan ”
“ El pai pai de seda ”
95,000 Yen
53 x 41cm (21 x 16”)
acrylic on canvas
“ Reading in the Summer breeze ”
“ Leyendo en la brisa del Verano ”
98,000 Yen
46 x 53cm (18 x 21”)
acrylic on canvas
“ Hanami ”
135,000 Yen
SOLD
65 x 50cm (26 x 20”)
acrylic on canvas
“ Hair dresser games”
“Jugando a las peluqueras”
50,000 yen
41 x 24 cm (16 x 9.5”)
acrylic on canvas
“ Pontocho ”
95,000 yen
SOLD
53 x 41 cm (21 x 16 '“)
acrylic on canvas
“Artist Soul”
“Alma de Artista”
Comissioned portrait of Atsuko Ohno (based on a black and white photograph circa 1930’s)
These twenty paintings where exhibited for two weeks at my solo exhibition that took place in May 2017 which was titled "Colores de Kabuki" "Kabuki Colours" “歌舞伎の色彩”. This exhibition took place at the spanish Embassy of Tokyo in their beautiful gallery. The first paintings of this Series were done in 2015 and the last in 2017. The Kabuki theme also will appear briefly in my next short collection of “Washi paintings” that you can find under the “Vintage Japan Series” that I am now painting and will upload onto this website shortly.
I have continued attending Kabuki performances and the more I focus on Kabuki the more it draws me in. The drama is not just in the attire, music, song-narration, interesting stories, superb acting and unbelievable scenic beauty of it all combined, but also in the contrast of movement and studied silent poses that mesmerize you....
"Red Lion Dance"
"Danza del León Rojo"
230,000 Yen
73 x 73 cm (19,5 x 19.5 ")
acrylic on Canvas
"Wisteria Maiden"
"Doncella con Glicinias"
SOLD
65 x 46 cm (25,5 x 18")
acrylic on canvas
"White Lion Dance"
"Danza del León Blanco"
350,000 yen
91 x 91 cm (36 x 36')
acrylic on canvas
"Yayoi and the Lion"
"Yayoi y el León"
165,000 Yen
73 x 60.5 cm (29 x 24")
acrylic on canvas
"Memories"
"Recuerdos"
230,000 Yen
73 x 73 cm (29 x 29")
acrylic on canvas
"Passion in Red"
"Rojo Pasión"
210,000 Yen (includes made to measure acrylic (methacrylate) box frame size 59 x 59 cm)
53 x 53 cm (21 x 21") with frame 59 x 59 cm
acrylic on canvas
"Head Monk"
"Monje Superior"
225,000 Yen
91 x 65,5 cm (36 x 26")
acrylic on canvas
"The Blue Parasol"
"La Sombrilla Azul"
SOLD
65 x 50 cm (25.5 x 20")
acrylic on canvas
"Tangled Love"
"Enredos de Amor"
380,000 yen
73 x 117 cm (29 x 46")
acrylic on canvas
"Fan Dance"
"Baile del Abanico"
155,000 Yen
53 x 53 cm (21 x 21")
acrylic on canvas
"Princess"
"Princesa"
155,000 Yen
53 x 53cm (21 x 21")
acrylic on canvas
"Sakura Rain"
"lluvia de Sakura"
225,000 Yen
91.5 x 73 cm (36 x 29")
acrylic on canvas
"By the hand"
"De la Mano"
140,000 Yen
73 x 60.5 cm (29 x 24")
acrylic on canvas
"Beginners"
"Principiantes"
230,000 Yen
73 x 73 cm (29 x 29")
acrylic on canvas
"The Heron"s Daughter"
"la Hija de la Garza"
220,000 Yen
64 x 80 cm (25.5 x 31.5")
acrylic on canvas
"Reminiscence"
"Añoranza"
155,000 Yen
53 x 53cm (21 x 21")
acrylic on canvas
"Ronin"
225,000 Yen
91 x 73 cm (36 x 29")
acrylic on canvas
"In the mist"
"En la Niebla"
220,000 Yen
80 x 65 cm (30.5 x 25.5")
acrylic on canvas
" Nakamura Family Lion Dance"
"Danza de León de la Familia Nakamura"
230,000 Yen
73 x 73 cm (29 x 29")
acrylic on canvas
"Kabuki Afternoon"
"Tarde de Kabuki"
135,000 Yen
53 x 65cm (21 x 25.5")
acrylic on canvas
"Gion Festival"
"Festival de Gion"
135,000 Yen
50 x 65cm (19.5 x 25.5")
acrylic on canvas
"Himeji Castle"
“Castillo de Himeji”
SOLD
60.5 x 73 cm (24 x 28.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Stone Lantern with Carp"
“Linterna de Piedra con Carpa”
130,000 Yen
53 x 65 cm (21 x 25.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Onsen"
SOLD
19 x 33 cm (7.5 x 13 ")
acrylic on canvas
"View from Nokogiri Mountain"
“Vista desde la montaña de Nokogiri”
125,000 Yen
50 x 65 cm (20 x 25.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Kyoto"
SOLD
27.5 x 16 cm (11 x 6 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Hakone Shrine Stone lantern"
“Linterna de piedra del Templo de Hakone”
100,000 Yen
53 x 46 cm (21 x 18 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Sakura Fuji"
SOLD
42 x 32 cm (16.5 x 12.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Miyajima"
150,000 Yen (asian style bamboo frame included)
51 x 61 cm (20 x 24 ") canvas measure
acrylic on canvas
"Fuji Reflection in Pink"
“Fuji reflejado en Rosa”
SOLD
50 x 73 cm (20 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Red Fuji at Night"
“Fuji Rojo de noche”
SOLD
51 x 41 cm (21 x 16 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Sakura"
SOLD
37 x 51.5 (14.5 x 20 ")
acrylic on card board
Catching a glimpse of a Geisha or a Maiko in the streets of Kyoto is one the joys of visiting this city. Kimonos are still worn by many Japanese women on formal occasions or celebrations that require them to be more dressed up. The style, patterns and combinations of colors on kimonos and Obi are not just incredibly beautiful they also convey information regarding the age of the person wearing them and the occasion they are worn for.
"Maikos on a Stroll"
“Maikos de Paseo”
SOLD
73 x 61 cm (29 x 24 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Maiko Gathering"
“Maikos en Reunión”
190,000 Yen
81 x 65 cm (32 x 26 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Sisters"
“Hermanas”
SOLD
91 x 73 cm (36 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Oiran Parade"
“Desfile de Oiran”
195,000 Yen
91 x 61 cm (36 x 24 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Spring Matsuri"
“Matsuri de Primavera”
170,000 Yen
61 x 73 cm (24 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Tea Ceremony I"
“Ceremonia del Té I”
SOLD
53 x 65 cm (21 x 25.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Tea Cremony II"
“Ceremonia del té II”
195,000 Yen
91 X 73 cm (36 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
These are painting of monks and temples of some of the countries I have visited in South East Asia. Represented here in this order are Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
"Swedagon Monks"
“Monjes de Swedagon”
150,000 Yen
53 x 73 cm (21 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
"The teachings"
“Enseñanzas”
205,000 Yen
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 ")
oil on canvas
"The Co Loa Festival"
“Festival de Co Loa”
SOLD
102 x 76 cm (40 x 30 ")
oil on canvas
"Monks"
“Monjes”
155,000 Yen
76 x 56 cm (30 x 22 ")
oil on canvas
"Angkor heads"
“Cabezas de Angkor”
SOLD
46 x 46 cm (18 x 18 ")
mixed media on canvas
I first started painting Buddhas when I was living in Singapore and since then I have continued painting them throughout the different countries I have lived in. The latest ones (that appear first in this gallery) I painted here in Japan, they are Buddhas that are inspired on those found in the temples of Nara, as well as on the beautiful photographs of Japanese buddha statues taken by the late famous photographer Ken Domon.
"Nara Lotus Buddha"
“Buda del Loto, Nara”
SOLD
53 x 65 cm (21 x 25.5 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Domon Buddha"
“Buda de Domon”
140,000 Yen
65 x 53 cm (25.5 x 21 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Buddha in Blue"
“Buda en Azul”
SOLD
73 x 53 cm (28.5 x 21 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Buddha's Hand II"
“Mano de Buda II”
140,000 Yen
65 x 53 cm (25.5 x 21 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Sweet Buddha"
“Buda Dulce”
80,000 Yen
38 x 45,5 cm (15 x 18")
acrylic on canvas
"Dreaming Buddha"
“Buda Soñador”
SOLD
27.5 x 16 cm (11 x 6.2 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Buddha's Smile"
“La Sonrisa de Buda”
140,000 Yen
61 x 61 cm (24 x 24 ")
oil on canvas
"Ancient Buddha"
“Buda Antiguo”
140,000 Yen
61 x 51 cm (24 x 20 ")
oil on canvas
"Modern Buddha"
“Buda Moderno”
150,000 Yen
71 x 56 cm (28 x 22 ")
oil on canvas
"Verdigris Buddha"
“Buda Verdigris”
205,000 Yen
102 x 76 cm (40 x 30 ")
oil on canvas
"Happy Buddha"
“Buda Feliz”
SOLD
165,000 (included see through methacrylate & golden wood frame)
80 x 80 cm (31.5 x 31.5 ") (including frame)
oil on canvas
"Buddha Face"
“Cara del Buda”
SOLD
61 x 51 cm (24 x 20 ")
oli on canvas
"Buddha in Red I"
“Buda en Rojo I”
SOLD
76 x 60 cm (30 x 24 ")
mixed media on canvas
"Golden Buddha"
“Buda Dorado”
SOLD
61 x 51 cm (24 x 20 ")
oil on canvas
"Buddha's Essence"
“La Esencia de Buda”
SOLD
26 x 22 cm (10 x 9 ")
oil on canvas
"Buddha Reflection"
“Reflejo de Buda”
SOLD
61 x 46 cm (24 x 18 ")
oil and gold sheet on canvas
"Angkor Buddha I"
“Buda de Angkor I”
SOLD
122 x 91 cm (48 x 36 ")
oil on canvas
"Angkor Buddha"
“Buda de Angkor”
SOLD
76 x 61 cm (30 x 24 ")
oil on Canvas
"Buddha's Hand"
“Mano de Buda”
SOLD
71 x 56 cm (28 x 22 ")
oil on canvas
"Contemplation"
“Contemplación”
SOLD
101.6 x 76.2 cm (40 x 30 ")
oil on canvas
"Contemplation I"
“Contemplación I”
SOLD
122 x 91 cm (48 x 36 ")
oil on canvas
"Contemplation II"
“Contemplación II”
185,000 Yen
91.5 x 61 cm (36 x 24 ")
oil on canvas
"The Stair case"
“La Escalera”
SOLD
93 x 72 cm (36.5 x 28.5 ")
oil on canvas
"Farming Blossoms"
“Cultivo de flores”
170,000 Yen
92 x 61 cm (36 x 24 ")
oil on canvas
"Purple Clouds"
“Nubes Moradas”
165,000 Yen
61 x 73cm (24 x 29 ")
acrylic on canvas
"Flower Merchant"
“Mercader de Flores”
SOLD
44 x 33 cm (17.5 x 13 ")
oil on canvas
“Summer bicycle”
"Bicicleta de Verano"
110,000 Yen
61 x 46 cm (24 x 18 ")
oil on canvas
"Nieve"
“Snow”
28,000 Yen
23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 ")
oil on canvas
"Wishing Bridge"
"Puente de los Deseos"
180,000 Yen
76 x 61 cm (30 x 24 ")
oil on canvas
"Turbulence"
“Turbulencia”
SOLD
56 x 71 cm (22 x 28 ")
oil on canvas
“Waves”
“Olas”
..in process…
"Red Lantern Girl"
“La chica de la linterna Roja”
SOLD
51 x 41 cm (13 x 9.5 ")
oil on canvas
"Star Explosion"
“Explosion de Estrella”
28,000 Yen
23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 ")
oil on canvas
"White Horse"
"Caballo Blanco"
160,000 Yen
61 x 75 cm
Oil on canvas
"Carps"
“Carpas”
SOLD
81 x 55 cm (32 x 21.5 ")
free style sumie ink on rice paper
"Pelican"
“Pelicano”
SOLD
81 x 61 cm (32 x 24 ")
fine line sumie ink on rice paper
"Family ties"
“Lazos de Familia”
90,000 Yen (including glass & wood frame)
66 x 46 cm (26 x 18 ")
free style sumie ink on rice paper
"After the storm"
“Stras la tormenta”
SOLD
86 x 61 cm (34 x 24")
fine line sumie ink on rice paper
"The Tea Ceremony"
“Ceremonia del Té”
SOLD
45 x 45 cm (17 x 17 ")
free stye sumie ink on rice paper
"The Stork"
“La Cigueña”
SOLD
45 x 69 cm (17.5 x 27 ")
free style sumie ink on rice paper
Just as many other artists, I have been inspired by famous painters of the past. These three paintings are an example of my version of their work. The purpose was not to make an exact reproduction but to change it slightly so that I could put some of myself into it...
"My Girl with a Pearl Earring"
33 x 24 cm (13 x 9.5 ")
oil on raw canvas
In my version of Vermeer's painting, I changed the colour of her eyes and the bridge of her nose and here she is... I Started painting her in a special "Medieval Painting Techniques" Course I took at the Musee du Louvre in Paris. We were practicing how to make oil paint from scratch as it would have been done in those days, mixing dry powder pigments with oils. Vermeer is of course from the XVII th century but he still would have used a similar technique. We are so lucky now a days to have all the paints already industrially prepared for us....
"Nature Morte"
16 x 23 cm (9 x 12 ")
acrylic on canvas
This tiny painting is inspired on the simple beauty of Chardin's still life paintings. I went to see an exhibit of his work for the first time here in Tokyo and just had to express my appreciation of what many think of as boring European art but that is in fact very calming and beautiful in its minute depiction of every day objects.....
"Nieve" ("Snow")
23 x 30 cm (9 x 12")
oil on canvas
This small painting, although different, is clearly inspired on Monet's "La pie" (The Magpie) but with no bird in sight..
I very much admire the Spanish painters Goya and Sorolla, the first for being a clear impressionist painter ahead of them all and the second for his exquisite treatment of light. The impressionists being my all time favorites I still very much enjoy any style of painting that can make me "feel" or "guess" the painter's mood. For this reason I also enjoy abstract art....
"Portrait of Richard Collasse"
SOLD
acrylic on canvas
"Onsen II"
SOLD
acrylic on canvas
"Onsen III"
SOLD
acrylic on canvas
"Karuizawa Onsen"
SOLD
acrylic on canvas
"Listening Budha"
SOLD
acrylic on wood
"Sakura Toto"
SOLD
acrylic on canvas
“Artist Soul”
“Alma de Artista”
Comissioned portrait of Atsuko Ohno (based on a black and white photograph circa 1930’s)
“YIS Kyoto Starry Night Dragon”
“Dragon de YIS en la Noche Estrellada de Kyoto”
35,000 yen
24 x 33 cm
acrylic on canvas
