So it seems that the posts this week are laced with my trip to Kamakura, I had this in mind when I started out and was deliberately trying to find similar shots or themes that I could work with. The obvious theme would have been temples and shrines one would think, however I have tried to think outside the box, or outside the camera, so to speak.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of people, mostly older, who were out painting and sketching. Though there was a group of school kids, who must have had a class assignment to sketch something at the temple I was at, I fondly remember having to sketch an animal or two while visiting a farm or something equalling boring on class trips. As much as I love having my camera with me and taking photos, I sometimes wish I had more artistic skill, so that I could draw or paint; it should be noted that the young children I teach English to always comment on how well I color and stay within the lines!! After seeing one or two people out with their sketch pads and firmly seated on their teeny-tiny folding chairs, I decided I should capture them, as long as I would not be disturbing them.
It might be hard to see, but every single painting in this gallery features CATS … artists and photographers in Japan have a fascination with cats …
Two men crouched down drawing hydrangea bushes. Both men had tiny seats but opted not to use them, instead they propped their pads and paints on them
Either the lady is looking intently at what she is sketching or she is giving me the evil eye for taking her photo, either way I scurried away shortly after taking this
There were a few shots I wanted to get of people, but being of the mind of not wanting to bother or intrude, or scare them with my terrible Japanese, I opted not to take photographs of several people. I would have had to get too close and would have breached my comfort zone, some of these places people were set up were awfully tiny and cramped. I wonder how many of you out there have wonderful artistic skills? I come across a lot of photography on WordPress, but so far not so much drawn or painted materials. Perhaps I need to broaden my WordPress horizons, any suggestions?
Check out Eldy, she has some stunning drawings!
http://ldthoughts.wordpress.com/
Thanks, I’ll check her site out later this evening!
Hi Kristopher, check out my artist sister’s blog at: http://www.constancebaltuck.com
Great, as soon as I can get back to my pc this evening I will take a look. Thanks for the recommendation!
So the Japanese artists share your fascination with cats
. It is tricky to take photos of people and getting too close… not comfy for either party….
Kids love getting their photos taken, so it seems somewhere along the line between childhood and adulthood most people develop a camera-phobia. strange isn’t it?
Yes, they (we) get more self-conscious I guess
. Take care Kris. We’ll talk soon.