As we head towards the start of Summer proper, here’s a Japan inspired landscape painting featuring the Hydrangea Garden at Yohena, Okinawa. Following the fascinating micro seasons guide we have reached Geshi. This colour study is inspired by one of the many ornamental gardens that celebrate the Ajisai (hydrangea); which along with Irises are already blooming all across Japan.
The Summer Season (s)
Geshi 夏至, observed around the World as the Summer Solstice, is a key point on the ancient calendar when the day is longest and night is shortest. The sun rises behind Mt Fuji and travels across the sky taking its longest path. Japan is said to be full of hot, humid and rainy days.
Hydrangea Garden in Bloom
I really enjoyed how abstract this piece has gone with the natural forms filling every available space! Quite the challenge to recreate but a wonderful mess of colour and shape. Embedded below is a quick waltz around the painting. Showing off the different angles in its black floater frame. The canvas itself is 30 x 30cm, but within the frame it’s 34cm square.
If you do want to see more of these seasonally inspired paintings, i’ll continue to post them here on my studio blog under the #smallseasons tag. Or find me over on facebook, twitter or instagram.
