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Halna du Fretay recently started to work with Japanese shikishi, either as a direct painting surface or as a mounting board for Arches paper

Olivia Lomenech Gill’s original illustrations for Clever Crow are built through layers of ink, watercolour, gouache, charcoal, oil, gesso, and collage. This essay explores how her technique gives depth, texture, and presence to the image, turning illustration into a living surface.

Ortaire de Coupigny's artwork titled Punk is not dead! embodies his characteristic humor, cultural commentary, and inventive use of material

The artist's pseudonym, "Suito," meaning "A city with beautiful rivers and lake," further enhances the artwork's contemplative ambiance.

This post provides valuable insights into the sizes, Japanese names, and uses of traditional shikishi boards.

Haruka Miyamoto, the renowned sculptor from Hiroshima, Japan, offers her own homage to the Tasmanian tiger through a breathtaking creation.

Ortaire de Coupigny's artistic journey began with a foundation in stained glass, a discipline that would shape his approach to art.

A shikishi is a type of traditional Japanese mounting board or card that is often used for calligraphy and artwork.

As recounted in the inaugural post of this blog, the launch of an online gallery feels akin to embarking on a digital odyssey—a submarine's plunge into uncharted depths. Since August, we've tuned our sails to the rhythm of this virtual sea. Visitors playfully peer through the portholes, navigating the site with clicks that resonate like Morse code. Statistics sometimes unveil their origins—from the captivating islands of Japan to the emerald landscapes of Ireland and the mist

Nestled in Groix island, just in front of Port Louis, lies a hidden gem that beckons sailors and art enthusiasts alike. Port Saint Nicolas, a natural harbour, offers a picturesque setting for sailboats to anchor. It's a place where the elements of nature combine to create a tranquil haven, inspiring artists to capture its essence. Clotilde Aksin-Frappier did just that through her oil pastel artwork titled "Port Saint Nicolas." Her approach to art is a harmonious blend of re

It was in the city of Le Havre, France, in 1872 that Claude Monet painted 'Impression, Sunrise,' which gave its name to the Impressionist movement. This famous painting was stolen from the Musée Marmottan in Paris on October 27, 1985. Thieves broke into the museum and pointed guns at the public. Fortunately, the painting was recovered in Corsica five years later. It seems that the thieves were negotiating with the Japanese Yakuza. We all know how Monet was fascinated by Japan

As recounted in our previous post, the history of Port Louis has influenced artists for over a century, such as Paul Signac in 1922. Unfortunately, sardine fishing is no more. The numerous fishing boats have been decommissioned. Sardine canneries have closed down along with many sailor bars. Fortunately, not all of them. When Ortaire de Coupigny settled in Port Louis, he took an interest in the city's history and decided to carry on the torch. This is what he humorously share

In 1922, Paul Signac spends the summer in Port Louis, Brittany. Alongside Georges Seurat, he is one of the founders of the Pointillist movement. His technique is characterised by the use of distinct touches of colour. The optical blending of colours occurs when one contemplates the painting from a distance. In Port Louis, Paul Signac paints the fishing boats using a bright palette consisting of cadmium yellows, vermillion, rose madder, cerulean and cobalt blue, emerald green.

The launch of an online art gallery evokes the departure of a submarine setting sail into the vastness of the oceans. At least, that's the impression one gets from the development of a website: a lot of technicality and little visibility; a sort of blind navigation, which is paradoxical for a gallery presenting pictorial artworks. Thankfully, we've got Ortaire de Coupigny's sardines peeking through the portholes to keep our spirits high. So, armed with the optimism of intrepi