Japan

My heart was saddened when I heard about the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan last week. I love Japan for many reasons. The culture. The people. It is where my husband proposed to me. It is home to my brother-in-law and his family. It is peaceful and beautiful and fascinating. I have so many wonderful memories from the times I have visited. With the threat of nuclear disaster and the images of the devastated landscape, I pray that Japan will recover quickly.

There are so many wonderful people and companies working to collect money to send to Japan for relief efforts. Here are a few that I have contributed to.

Japanese disaster relief t by Ahpeele
100% of the profit from this shirt will go to the Japanese Red Cross

LOVE letterpress print by Heartfish Press

50% of sales to Japan Earthquake Relief Fund

joshua smith designed t-shirt for the salvation army japan
100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go toward The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan

Help Japan poster by W + K Studio net proceeds will go to Red Cross

Sketchbook Project

Since graduating from college and moving from Arizona to Southern California, I haven't been an active part of the art community. Sure, I work along side graphic designers every day and a network of artists from Etsy, but I haven't exhibited in years. This changed last fall I found a website called Art House Co-op, which "creates massive, international art projects that tie thousands of artists together – and anyone can participate."

Art House Co-op

I signed up for the Sketchbook Project. They sent me a blank moleskin notebook and two rules to follow: "first, the book must be used in some way - no sending us back an empty book or a completely different book! Second, the sketchbook must stay within its original dimensions (because we don't want to have to provide an extra suitcase just for your book while we're touring the country)."

Art House Co-op

Each book was given a barcode and cataloged into the Brooklyn Art Library system. It's really cool because as every time somebody views my sketchbook, I get an email letting me know.

Assigned with the topic of mysterious maps, my sketchbook was based on my travels to Japan. Instead of "sketching", I created layers with photographs, scans and patterns using recycled paper and transparencies. The cover resembles the Japanese flag with a circular window revealing a map of Tokyo printed on transparency, backed with a classic red Japanese pattern.

 

With a map of Kamakura as a backdrop, the photo was taken in a tunnel en route to the coastal city of Kamakura.

The Daibutsu Buddha paired with bamboo. Both symbolizing strength and serenity. It takes my breath away every time I visit.

These images were taken at the Hasedera Temple in Kamakura Japan.

Taken moments before my husband proposed to me, this is the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

The very peaceful and beautiful sand gardens at the Ginkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

My portfolio and other artist's portfolios can be viewed here. To check out other projects taking place at Art House Co-op, visit their site.