Looking at my brand name, one could guess my love and respect for the Japanese art and culture. This is partly due to my mother and her love of Japanese paintings. She loved to paint and taught me how to paint as well. One of her favorites of her work was a painting of a Japanese woman done on a Bamboo mat. The subject wore layers of patterned kimonos and I would spend hours looking at it as a kind. So when I saw the prompt for Art Bead Studio’s Art Journey 9. I knew I had to participate in it. The theme is the expression of Yuki (snow) in the Japanese landscape through jewellery. After frantically looking through my art beads, I finally found what I wanted and create the Japanese woman at Asakusa necklace. Here it is.
Art Journey #9
I have seen snow only twice in my life and touched it only once. While snow (or in this case ice) is beautiful to look at, shivering in a snowfall is no fun. Looking at the image prompt, a woodblock print by Hiroshige where the subject, huddled in layers is trying to keep herself warm, I was reminded of myself on Mt. Titlis. In hindsight, a picture of a tropical creature like me, trying to keep on a hood that was a size too big, during a strong wind and a blinding fog on an icy slope is hilarious. Add holding on to my backpack, phone, and camera wrapped in my woven scarf to the mix. Quite a picture I must have made. Believe me, it wasn’t funny back then.
Japanese woman at Asakusa necklace
As the inspiration became personal at this point, I knew I had to incorporate a female figure in my design. A woman holding an yellow umbrella in one hand while the other fist is thrust deep into a pocket. Creating a resin pendant would take time and supplies that I didn’t have. I was almost about to give up on this challenge when I spotted a bronze clay Goddess component given to me by Lesley Watt for wining a past challenge. With beautiful stamped patterns, it became the personification of the Japanese woman at Asakusa. I used some patina inks to add a tinge of blue to the piece. Then the necklace came together pretty quickly.
An enamelled mushroom headpin that I bought from its maker at Beadfest became the umbrella and its wire (pin) her hands. I used glossy handmade paper machie beads from Wellpaper Auroville (painted and glossed by me) to mimic snowballs. Murano and Indian glass beads provided the accent while plastic button with MOP finish helped complete the necklace along with antique brass chain.
As I was photographing the necklace, on my terrace as I usually do, I saw a floor tile with powdery flakes on it. Since it resembled snow, I couldn’t resist taking a picture with my necklace on it. Here is the Japanese woman at Asakusa necklace on a snowy background.
As I write this post, Christmas day is coming to a close where I live. But as the day is still young in other parts of the world, I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas. Do come back in a couple of days for the Art elements Christmas reveal and bask in the holiday Goodness. Until then don’t forget to indulge yourself with jewellery by making full use of our Endofdecade sale on Facebook page.
“Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
PS: I think the verse above is a metaphor of the present times with all its economic, political, and emotional turmoil. I really hope that the next decade brings with it positivity, good health and happiness.
Merry Christmas!!
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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