Still Hot Summer

Tokyo has had a run of hot sunny days.  Ambulances are running  the overheated to local hospitals in a constant stream.

It is about now that one feels that summer will never leave, high 90s for the rest of time.  But riding my bike through Ueno park I could hear the samba band practicing, and could see the new mikoshi well on their way. 

The Tokyo Fine Arts University festival is nearly here, which means that Autumn is nearly here as well.  Geisai will be September 3, 4, and 5 this year.

last night in Ueno Park

New Paintings

John  Irving says that before he begins a story he already has written down the last line.  Before he starts he know the ending.  It may be true, but I know that between his first line and his last his book will take him places he never expected.

If you want me to paint you a horse, I will paint you a horse, or an apple, or a sunflower, or a naked man.  But when I am  really working, I can no more control my paintings than I can control my dreams.

My new series of paintings comes as a complete surprise.  I am not sure what they mean, and to tell you the truth, I am not even certain which way is up.

point of view at a gaijin bar

3 sting banjo

New banjo is done, 3 strings and a drone.  Hoping for that high lonesome sound, but as I used a little samba drum for the pot,  it has that high pop of a samba drum, more of a surprise to me than I suppose it should have been.  Fun to play though.  Took it for its test run to the pub last night.  Mike had his old time banjolin and sang a couple old time folk blues songs.  Real fun. 

Now back to the studio and to paint this time.  Banjos production will rest for a while

Kyoko Nakajima

It is a very happy thing to have a friend recognized for her hard work and creativity.  Kyoko-san has been writing such beautiful stories.  Now that she has won the Naoki Award her books are right out front!