The Painting of "Japanese Buddhist Celebration" is Done


I finished the painting I've been working on all this month and some of last, it's titled "Japanese Buddhist Parade: 1954" and it's take from a photo my Father took while we lived in Kamahura Japan during my upbringing. We lived their about six years altogether and it was the greatest education is living with people of different origins than my own. I had Japanese friends and playmates, I spent sometime in Japanese homes with my playmates and was invited to dinner just by myself. I enjoyed having friends who were different than me, we did the usual kids stuff. It was during the beginning of my life so it made a big impression on me. When I discovered that only five year prior we had been at war with Japan it helped me realize that War is evil, and we can be friends with those we hate if we just open up and communicate. I know it was the Japanese who began it, but they too need to open up and commmunicate with others. Well, let me get off my soapbox and back to art.
My Dad took photos of lots of events in Japan and I remember this one I did a painting of as a parade of sorts going down the main street in Kamahura and it was a surprise to us. My Dad grabbed his camera and hopped out of the car to snap a photo of the men as they passed by us. I can remember this because the men were making a turn with this giant wooden structure grunting all the while very loudly while making this turn. The grunts were in cadence so they could move as one while they turned the corner. It was quite a once in a lifetime scene and my Father was able to photograph it.
This is what I was remembering while painting this canvas. I took some artistic liberties as an artist usually will in order to have it be a little more enjoyable to look at, for example the scene happened on a very rainy day but I change it into a sunny one just to highlight the good colors I like to use, and that would be bright and joyful.
The steps I took to do this painting will soon be posted on my website. I took photos of the painting as I finished painting, there are ten different stages in all.

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What Has Worked;

Wyant's Store in Whitehall,Va.

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Walking Along W. Main St.

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Firecycle in Kamahura: 1954 or So

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The County of Nelson's Courthouse

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