Rosewood Hotel Willow Pattern products

I’m so excited that these two ceramic products are now available at Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong. I designed this Rosewood Willow Pattern for them using lots of elements from the hotel itself, with its signature pattern as the blue of the sea, and several icons directly based on items in the hotel.

The peacock, the butterfly and the elegant bird sculpture are things you’ll find within the hotel. The dragon in the clouds represents Kowloon.

You can purchase the candle here. (It smells pretty nice too)

The coasters feature the whole of my illustration - a map of Kowloon side all the way up to the Lion Rock tunnel. You can see the famous Wong Tai Sin temple, goldfish market, and the Palace Museum.

The coasters are made with a special 3-D effect so the illustration is embossed, and have a shiny gold glaze to highlight various details in the design.

You can purchase the coasters here.

Hong Kong part II

After Japan, I went back to HK at the end of May, and managed to do some fun things, as well as have the usual round of meetings. I even managed to visit my artwork installation at Cheung Sha Wan MTR station, that I haven’t seen in a while.

It was great to check up on how the panels are faring, and to feel like (hopefully) the artwork isn’t dating too badly!

I also popped in to Stanley, saw the house where I grew up (it’s changed alot) and wandered in the slightly depleted market.

I went to see Alvin on Lantau…

…and had all sorts of wonderful, wonderful meals with friends.

I visited the Faux showroom, worked on new product ideas, and saw my ceramics in shops and even at a dinner party.

The weather was grey, hot, and rainy. But HK just always looks so fantastic, whatever the weather.

I spent my last evening with friends at their boat club, swimming, chatting and eating, as we watched the lights on the water. I made a little sketch with my emergency paint kit…

HK is changing, but my memories keep me tied to all my favourite places there. I hope it never loses its essential HongKongness.

Tokyo ...and Mt Fuji

For our last few days in Japan, we returned to Tokyo to spend time with our friends there. We ate wonderful meals and chatted about all sorts of things. This is one of our favourite restaurants: Nihonbashi Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke where I managed to sketch, eat and draw at the same time.

Just walking around a big city was a lovely change, and we visited lots of favourite spots from our time living there.

As I flew from Tokyo to Hong Kong, the pilot tilted the plane slightly, so everyone could get a spectacular view of Mt Fuji. Hazy and majestic, it was a fitting last view for this extended visit to Japan. I already can’t wait to go back…

Kyoto part II

For our second week in Kyoto, we moved to another adorable renovated house, this time with a lovely private garden. You could see it from the dining room and also the bathroom. I sat and watched the leaves fluttering at all times of the day, in both rain and sunshine…

We celebrated our wedding anniversary with a spectacular meal at Kushiage Omoto. Kushikatsu is our favourite Japanese food that just doesn’t seem to be available outside Japan. The chef brought out each stick one by one as it was cooked, so it was piping hot and fresh. This kind of meal is perfect for sketching, and I captured the whole evening in one drawing.

The house was within easy reach of the Kamogawa River, and we would often walk there, admiring the greenery and mountain views. We even managed to find a cafe one day that looked over the river in the rain.

We walked one early evening in the Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, and I managed a simple sketch in the dusk.

As it was Golden Week when were there, we avoided the central parts of Kyoto as much as possible, to keep away from the masses of tourists, but we did pop in to Gion to take a look around. We saw an amazing heron in the shallow river, who had caught some sort of eel. He managed to swallow it whole!

We visited the Toji Temple Antique Market on an extremely hot and sunny weekend, and I wandered happily for hours browsing the many stalls.

We ate so many incredible meals, and found lots of pretty places to eat. I don’t think we could ever get bored of eating out in Kyoto.

I spent alot of time walking, and loved finding the little corners filled with plants outside people’s houses. I wonder if this is a place I could live one day…

Kyoto part I

We stayed for a few days in a little renovated Japanese house right by the start of the Philospher’s Path on the Eastern side of Kyoto. I woke up early every day and explored the area on foot. I loved walking along the pretty path…

I discovered the incredible Honenin Temple very close by, and fell in love. I visited twice, once in the gentle rain, and once in the sunshine. The spring greens are beautiful either way, but the singing of the frogs in the mist and rain made that experience extremely special.

I visited Ginkakuji Temple, also close by, and although it’s very beautiful too, because it’s so famous, it’s hard to avoid the throngs of tourists, even though I got there right when it opened.

We visited a tiny little garden temple called Gioji, in Arashiyama, to the West of Kyoto. It was so green and adorable and mossy. I like the quiet places best. I want to enjoy the stillness…

…there was even a little bamboo walk, and hardly any visitors. I can look at the shadows of momiji on the moss all day.

Osaka - a brief stop

After Karuizawa, we took the shinkansen to Kansai. We had a little city break in Osaka, where we stayed in a tall hotel on Nakanoshima and I drew the view from the window...

Karuizawa

After Kanazawa, I spent a few days catching up with friends in Tokyo, and then made my way to Karuizawa, a resort town north of Tokyo at a higher elevation.

It’s cooller there and the cherry blossom was still blooming and it was wonderful to spot all the different shapes and colours of sakura.

Two weeks was spent very happily there, mostly at my computer catching up on things, but also walking everyday and doing small sketches…

We even picked some strawberries, and I learnt that there are different types! I don’t know why I hadn’t really realised that before. We tried 7 different types and I now have a favourite type of strawberry…

Mt Asama is not as grand as Mt Fuji, but it’s still impressive, although perhaps a little ominous. It sits, quietly puffing away, reminding you that it could erupt whenever it feels like it. We walked in the mountains whatever the weather, and the foggy rainy days were as beautiful as the sunny ones.

The night sky was often crystal clear and we watched the stars and listened to the sounds of the mountain.

Kanazawa part II

While in Kanazawa, I walked on a rainy day around the small Samurai district of preserved houses and streets. It was atmospheric and quiet.

The rain and wind had made lots of the sakura petals fall, which was beautiful in its own way too…

I visited the Higashi Chaya district on a sunnier day, and tried to beat the crowds by going early. I took a midmorning break and enjoyed a traditional treat of shiratama, which is a type of mochi.

I really loved these traditional streets, it felt like being in an NHK costume drama. The falling cherry blossom petals really added to the atmosphere.

I had lunch at the top of one of the department stores in town, and snagged a window seat so I could sketch the view towards the castle and mountains.

I popped in to the Kanzawa Contemporary Art Museum, as I’d always wanted to see the famous Swimming Pool sculpture by Leandro Erlich, but unfortunately it was closed for renovations due to earthquake damage from earlier this year. I did get to experience their James Turrell though, which was very calming.

Kanazawa was an interesting mix of old and new, and I feel like I had a good taster. I’d love to visit again in another season!

Kenrokuen - Kanazawa

After the excitement of the mokuhanga residency and conference, I went to Kanazawa for a few days to walk, and catch up on work. On my first day, I visited Kenrokuen Gardens, which were free to the public for the week so everyone could enjoy the cherry blossom which was in full bloom…

The gardens took 200 years to perfect, and have been open to the public since the Edo era. I found a little teahouse by a pond, and enjoyed a refreshing plum soda and made a watercolour sketch.

The views of the sakura were breathtaking, and I enjoyed walking along the various paths and seeing all the different trees.

My favourite parts of the garden were the mossy bits - I just can’t resist the glorious greens.

I would love to visit these gardens in other seasons - imagine how stunning they would be in the Autumn!

mokuhanga exhibition

As part of the International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen, my printmaking collective Mokuhanga Sisters held a special exhibition at the Udatsu Paper and Craft Museum.

The museum allowed us free reign to design our show, and we displayed our work in the beautiful historic gallery as if it were precious jewels. Some of the prints were hanging, so you could walk around them to see the reverse side, and some were layed down on black velvet.

My print for the collaborative project is titled Camellia Bowl, and is the largest print I’ve made thus far. I used sumi ink from Nara, and masaban-sized washi from Echizen.

Here’s the statement I wrote about my piece:

We also showed our collaborative scroll piece in the main gallery, that we made together in 2020/21.

In the back room of the gallery, we showed some of our own personal work, and I had 3 flowers prints close together like this.

A reporter from the local Fukui Prefecture newspaper came to speak to us about the show and the conference, and we held a private view of the show the evening before it opened.

Thank you to everyone who came to see our show, and left lovely comments in our book. We’re looking forward to our next show when we complete part 2 of our project!

mokuhanga conference

I attended the 5th International Mokuhanga Conference that was held in Echizen last week, and had an incredible time. Our collective, Mokuhanga Sisters, put up a group show that was magical, and my tiny folded piece ‘le petit jardin’ was also featured in the juried show.

I did several workshops, but my favourite was papermaking - I’ve tried it once before, but truly enjoyed it this time, making 2 pieces of washi that I hope to be able to make prints with.

There were lots of talks and several demos, which I sketched, and I especially found Kyoko Hirai’s printing demo fascinating. I am always learning so much…

I’ve never really sized my own paper, preferring to buy it ready-sized, but having tried it out at my residency a few weeks ago, and then seeing Taki san’s demo at the conference, I think I may make it a habit.

It was great to participate in the open portfolio and show some of my work. Thank you to everyone who came by and chatted. It’s a real confidence booster!

It was a hectic few days, but extremely rewarding. Already looking forward to the next one…

Japan part II - mokuhanga residency

I worked hard at my mokuhanga residency in Echizen that finished last week. This was my desk, facing a pretty plum tree.

I started 2 projects, but eventually focussed on the smaller block so I’d have time to print.

I love the carving process, and am still a bit nervous of the printing, so I try to prepare as much as possible.

I planned this flower print in colour, and tried out various combinations…

…but then decided to also try a version in sepia tones, to really capture the idea that this is a print made from a fluid line sketch.

Here are both versions. Let me know which you prefer!

Echizen

I’m having a lovely time at my Echizen residency, and it’s been great to be working on my newest, largest print. The weather has been changeable so far: bright sunshine, thunderstorms, hail, rain, and several flurries of snow. I haven’t been so cold in a long time. And this morning there was an earthquake!

This is the view from my room, during a light dusting of snow…

Tokyo

I arrived in Tokyo for just a few days, before travelling to the countryside. It was lovely and sunny and so so so wonderful to be back!

I managed to fit in some brush shops, a paper shop and even a pigment shop. I’m all set up for my upcoming mokuhanga residency…

Hong Kong

I’ve loved being back in Hong Kong after so long. Just seeing all these ordinary things, with fresh eyes, is making me so happy…

I had my first real dim sum in over a year!

I even managed to spend a relaxed and nostalgic day on Lantau, taking the slow ferry to the island…

…and wandering around, reliving the days when it was my home, surrounded by ginger marshes and local gods.

For my last few days here, it’s mostly work now!

Hong Kong - and product launch

I’m off to HK, for a week of meetings. Also, having a private sale of my Japan Toile Ceramics Collection…

It’s a lovely fine bone china design, in indigo blue, with the sake set having gold details too. I’ll be at the Sale on March 13th - if you’re interested in attending, please contact me via e-mail.

bread

Every weekend my wonderful husband bakes sourdough bread, and I have recently been trying out some interesting patterns in the dough. I’m getting the hang of it and find it makes the bread look even more delightful than usual!

Valentine

Hope you had an enjoyable Valentine’s Day, whether you celebrate it or not. Here’s a fun illustration of a Valentine’s bear on a penny farthing…

All my love, Mariko x

year of the dragon

A very Happy Lunar New Year to you! This is the year of the Wood Dragon, and may it bring prosperity and happiness and magic to you all.

Here’s the illustration I made for the Keswick Foundation charity this year.

I’ve realised that over the years I’ve illustrated many dragons, usually the Chinese kind: from ceramics and book covers..

…to watercolour sketches and brush drawings.

I especially like this simple slightly abstract dragon I made as part of the Chinese Horoscope interior decorations for Pacific Place in HK a while ago.

I’ve always loved the magical dragon, and look forward to creating many more in the future. Here’s more of a Japanese dragon, made as a greeting card…

online meetings

I’ve had so many meetings this week! I usually try to sketch people as they talk, as this helps me to focus.

I attended a Creativebug seminar with all these artists, it was great!

I also joined a COPE meeting, about our new book - I’m already working on this one…

And a smaller and more casual meeting with Katie and Yoonmi about our brand new wood+paper+box project, also starting right now!

So many meetings, and so many opportunities to sketch…