Karakami Square Series

     While watching programming on NHK TV I was introduced to the Japanese art of karakami and the beautiful patterns created by using wood blocks to print mica paints on to handmade washi paper.  This inspired me to use karakami for my paintings and I was able to buy some online from Kira Karacho.  I purchased a pack of 50 sheets (10 patterns with 5 colors each) of elegantly patterned karakami from this Kyoto atelier who has produced karakami since 1624.  Karacho was founded in Kyoto, Japan and has been in continuous operation since the early Edo Period.  Their karakami is made of the finest hand-made washi paper and colored with the soft tones indicative of the Kyoto aesthetic.  Then woodblocks, handed down from generation to generation and numbering around 650, are used to print their wonderful patterns in mica.  This results in paper which, even standing alone, is a true work of art.  The washi squares I bought were so beautiful that I decided to create a series of small paintings on the karakami.  

At the bottom of this page is a YouTube video from NHK Television celebrating Karacho karakami.  I would recommend watching it if you are interested as it is a very informative program.

KARAKAMI SQUARE #1: CHERRY TREE
Acrylics & Mica on Karacho Karakami Washi
Spring 2016
PRICE $100

KARAKAMI SQUARE #5: LA CONNER SCENE
Acrylics on Karacho Karakami Washi w/Red Oak Frame    Winter 2017
DONATED TO SKAGIT ARTISTS' ASK AUCTION