from Montreal
26th July - 31st August 2015, I stayed Atelier Circulaire in Montreal, Canada
26th July Sunday
I flied from Narita to Washington first by ANA. It took about 12 hours. I suddenly remember I should apply ESTA before coming to US. I worried if I can pass to enter US. But I don't need to worry about that. I didn't know about ESTA so much. It work for a few years. Anyway I changes plane to United Airlines to go to Montreal. Mr. Alexandre and his father, Louis were waiting for me at the airport.
They picked me to their house. My room was under their room. It was bit cool. It looked like perfect space to stay for one month. I had a strong jet lug. I was sleepy. I took a nap for a while. They invited me to take a dinner together. Ms. Louise cooked a whole roast chicken, boiled potato, fresh salads and so on. They were delicious. We talked a lot. Alexandre was a wood engraving artist. He have been to Mokuhanga residensy at Kawagutiko last year. He was learning Japanese now, so he understood some Japanese. They drunk Japanese sake. After the dinner, Louise gave me a sheets of bread, butter, cheese, and hand-made blueberry jam. They were so nice.
27th July Monday
Alexandre kindly walked around the neighbors with me. He took me to the laundry shop, Asian grocery shop, big super market, liquor shop, large farmer’s market, and so on. I bought a piece of cheese.
Finally he took me to the Aterier Circulaire. I could not remember how to get there although I have been there 2 years ago. It was renewal a bit. I met Wah Wing again. I remember him well because he talked very quickly. He show me some equipment in the studio. I will get the studio key tomorrow, then I start to work. I met a few artists. It was not busy because almost artists had a vacation in this season.
Alexandre and I took a late lunch together at the near British restaurant. I ordered hamburger with coke. After that he was back to his house. I was back to the studio. I used a internet, then I was back to my room by subway.
It was also hot day today. I really felt thirsty. I wanted to do something using a computer. But I drunk a can of beer, then felt really sleepy. I went to bed at 5 pm.
28th July Tuesday
I had a still jet lug. I awaked at 3 am. I wrote blog, checked emails. I still have enough time before I go to the studio. I walked around neighbors. I checked Bixi station, laundry shop. I found a kind of “100 Yen Shop”. I bought tiny stuffs, sunflower oil, salt& paper, loupe, shampoo, detergent, tissue paper-box, and so on.
I made it with stuff at the gallery at noon. I made signature on our contract about artist in residence. Finally I got “artist stipend” and studio key. Wing explained how to use the key very carefully. I started my work. I made 2 portraits, Alexandre and Wing. I am going to finish one portrait in two days. I didn’t have a time to think slowly. I met Mathieu again. I met some members of the studio, and introduced each other, or talked about Japan. I asked how to use press machine or etc. They are nice and let me know a lot. I went to the small supermarket near there to buy foods.
Suddenly I felt sleepy around 6 pm because of the jet lug. I could not stand it. So I decided to go back. I try to use Bixi at the first time, but my key didn’t work. I have got a bad feeling about this.
29th July Wednesday
I also awaked at about 4 am. I have to do laundry today, but the laundry shop will open from 8 am. So I wrote a blog, then ate breakfast, a slice of bread with cheese and fried egg. But I still have enough time. Bixi company game me an email. It said validity period was from today! It was a bit relieved. I used Bixi bike first time. It was nice system but it is not so perfect. There were a lot of Bixi staion everywhere. But I sometimes couldn’t find bike at the Bixi station. I sometimes did not know where the station was. I lost my way to the studio many times. It took over one hour to reach there. I have to pay additional fee later.
Today it was also very hot day, over 30 degrees. Wing and I talked a lot in cozy dining room. He will have solo exhibition from tomorrow. We talked about International print competition, artist-in-residence, etc. He was really talkative. He didn’t stop talking for a while with odd jokes. I met some Canadian artists. Some artist were making superior works. I asked some persons to draw their portraits. I felt getting better to stay here.
4 days passed today. But I felt as though one week already passed.
30th July Thursday
Alejandra drove me to Wing’s exhibition with her friend at about 5 pm. It took more than a half hour to reach. It was beautiful landscape outside. Not so hot, wonderful sky. I was refreshed a bit. Wing and other woman’s 2 person opening show was held at the gallery next to the local library. I could met some members of the studio who I have met them before. That was good for me to talk with them a lot. Wing’s works were not intaglio. They were similar to Chin-cole etching with spit bite technique because we could find the plate embossment. But they were drawing by Chinese ink or something. I felt I had too much time on my hands. I always felt like that in the opening.
On the way to home, we cloud see a beautiful full moon.
31st July Fruiday
I was a fist person who came to studio today. I tried to print 2 person’s portraits. It already 6 days passed, but I couldn’t finished yet at least one work. Around the noon, I went outside to go to Asian grocery shop. I bought Kimchi, bread and mirin. I was come back to studio. I finally met Nicolas, lithograph assistant. Actually I should see him at my first visiting here. I bought “roller ground”, although it was very expensive. I was supported 100 CAD as an artist ?in-residence for art material.
I finished 2 portraits, Alexandre and Wing.
1st August Suturday
I did laundry in the morning. All T-shirts smelled. I had to prepare for Bulgaria trip. I hanged washed cloths on the lope outside. I went to the studio. I continue to make Adam and Matheie’s portraits. Alexcendre came to there. He always support me well. He looked for thinner for me to make special etching texture. I couldn’t concentrate so much. Maybe because of just before trip to Bulgaria. So I left there before the evening. I took a bike, suddenly big drop rain started. It became like a squall, so I soaked soon. I just worried about my washed clothes. I was back to the room. Alexcandre’s father kindly hanged them out to the inside. I said thank you for him a lot.
I checked-in “before 24 hours departure time” at 10 pm.
2nd August Sunday
I finished package. I felt to become nervous. I always felt so before the trip.
I went to the studio. Only Wing and Carolyn were there. I wanted to print my boarding pass, but studio computer didn’t connect to the printer. Wing let me use the printer in the material shop.
3rd August Sunday
I left my room at about 7 pm. From Montreal to London it took about 7 hours. It was midnight flight, so I expected I could sleep in the plane. But unfortunately I could not sleep well. I had a back ache. I barely reached Heathrow in the morning. Actually I had 22 hours by next boarding time to go to Bulgaria, so I decided to stay in hotel near the airport for one night. I had check-in the hotel around the noon, I visited Tate Modern museum first. I remembered my last visiting here because the bridge over the Thames river which lead to St.Paul’s Cathedral for only foot passenger I saw Goerge Condo’s painting again in Tate which I saw it at the New Museum in NY before. It was really strange work, so I remembered it. I felt tired when I reached to the St. Paul Cathedral. I hesitated to visite the other place. But I went to the National gallery again, because I wanted to see Van Eyck again. I saw only Icon, Van Eyck, and da Vinci. I was back to hotel, then slept early.
4th August Tuesday
I left the hotel at 6am. I departed Heathrow airport, then arrived at Sofia at about 1 pm. Very hot here like Tokyo. I checked in Bulgaria airway to drop my baggage because I had to wait about 6 hours to change the airplane to go to Varna. I left airport by bus to visit the center of Sofia. Aleksander Nevski Church had a great alter with beautiful Icons inside. It was not kind of gorgeous. I felt calm and deep atmosphere. I walked outside, it was really hot, so I walked in the park under the shadow of the trees. I also visit the other chrch, St. Nedelya Church. It had gorgeous many icon with golden background. I returned to the airport by metro. It was easy to come there compared to by bus.
At the departure gate, a guy who looked like artist talked to me. He said he also one of the judge of Varna Biennial. I was surprised why he noticed me as a first prize artist.
I finally arrived Varna Airport. Antonov & Teodora were there to see Vlado & I. I worried if my wife already arrived there. Teodora didn’t notice her in the passenger from Istanbul. I checked my email at the coffee shop’s wifi, then I found her email. She was already in hotel by herself. I was really relieved. Teodora drove us to the hotel. Then we took a dinner at the local restaurant near the hotel with other persons who organized Biennial. About 8 parsons drunk Vodka and ate traditional Bulgarian dishes. Antonove took care of my wife & I very well. We talked a lot until the midnight.
5th August Wednesday
Velina came to the hotel to pick us in the morning. We walked to the museum for about 10 minutes. I found a poster which had my solo exhibition’s picture in front of the city art museum. Emi took a picture of it with me. The building had good kind of traditional atmosphere. We saw same parsons who I met last night at the stuff room. I walked around the Biennial space. I found some familiar and superior works in it. I tried to choose a few works for prize winner. My solo exhibition was in the part of the Biennial. Around the noon, we went to the same restaurant which we took a dinner last night. We took a late lunch together same as yesterday.
Emi & I walked around the Varna town in the evening. It also hot day. It had beautiful beach, we felt nice wind from the shore. I bought a T-shirt to take tomorrow. Emi bought some hand creams which included Bulgarian rose essence.
6th August Thursday
The judgement started at about 10 am at the stuff room in the city art museum. 4 judges recommended some artist’s works for the prizes. We discussed very seriously. Around the noon, all prize winners were selected. Actually it was first experiment for me to decide prize winner at the International competition. I was so nervous when I talked my opinions. After that I felt very tired, because my important job was over.
I met Stoilov, great artist in Bulgaria at the restaurant. He noticed me as a Grand prize winner artist. He recommended my work for prize winner last edition. I didn’t know I also got a Grand prix prize at the Bitola Triennial, Makedonia. Valdo suddenly informed me about that. I didn’t know he was an organizer of the 7th Bitola Triennial. Stilov, Antonov and Valdo had a strong connection to organize the competition. Talking to the other judge, Denitsa was a professor, Mitse had some galleries in Macedonia, Vienna and Prague.
7th Aug Friday
It was the opening of the Varna Biennial and my solo exhibition in the evening today. In the morning, Antonov & I had a live interview from the National Bulgaria TV. It was in the familiar outside place in this town. When interview started, we had to wait for a long while to make sure to connect the live TV. It was hot day as usual. Finnally the interview started. Antonove talked about the Biennial, and interviewer asked me 2 questions about the impression of it. It was only 5 minutes all. I was of course really nervous. I felt ashamed that I could not speak well.
At the beginning of the opening, the mayor came there at 6 pm. The prize winner were announced, then all visitors walked into the museum at the same time together. I had an opportunity to explain about my works to the mayor in my exhibition space. I found Viktor & Krasi came from Sofia by car. We met again since Guanlan print studio residency. I introduce him to the organizer. After the opening, we went to the same restaurant together. Viktor said Krasi was pregnant. Their baby was expect to born next January. I was happy to talk with then in Bulgaria again.
8th August Saturday
Stoilov invited us to take a lunch at the restaurant beside the beach. It looked rich atmosphere. I ate mussels much. They were fresh and delicious. I saw a brilliant sea from there. Many different age people were bathing in the sea. Very eldery peoples also were there. That was very peaceful. After the lunch, we visited Stilov’s studio. It was on the 16th floor near the shore. We could saw 180°Black Sea from his balcony. He spent there in the summer season. I could see his impressed works, pastel on the color papers. He gave his etching work and art catalogue for me. I didn’t expect that. Thank you very much for the kindness, Stoilov. I will send my work for him later.
We ate a dinner together also this evening. Maybe we came to the same restaurant at least 10 times. But it was a last supper for me this evening. I cried a bit on the way to the hotel.
9th August Sunday
My wife and I had a small trip today. We visited Nessebar which was world heritage area. It was important port town long time ago. Some fortresses still remained there. We took a bus from Varna for about 2 hours. It was a beautiful sightseeing spot. We walked around to visit some old churches which had historical icon & fresco. St. Stephen Chursh’s fresco was fantastic one. I walked beside the sea for a long while. I felt the color of the Black Sea was more dark blue than Varna. It was suitable place to have one day trip. We were refreshed a lot.
10th August Monday
We took a swimwear. We just stayed at the beach in the morning. We laid down under the parasol. I swam a few times, but Emi never swim. The sea was long distance shallow from the shore. The sea was clear and comfortable for me. I got tanned quickly, so I felt itchy the surface of the skin very much.
We ate Sushi at the late lunch near the beach. I bought silver ring for Emi because of her birthday today. We walked to the ancient bath, bought some souvenirs.
11th August Tuesday
I woke up at 6 am. Only I left the hotel. Emi will leave there at the evening. I arrived the Varna airport too early, so check-in desk didn’t open yet. I took the plane to go to Sofia, then went to Heathrow. Finally I came back to the Montreal all the way from Varna. But I could came back there at the same day because of the time difference. My trip to Varna Was over. I must be very tired.
12nd August Wednesday
I spent in the room all day. I wrote blog. I was very tired.
13th August Thursday
I checked Roger Cup, tennis, in Montreal. I found many posters or banner in the town. I bought a ticket of Nishikori’s game, Japanese tennis player on the website. In the evening, I went to the stadium by bike. It was near my place. Huge people were there. What a beautiful stadium! At first I saw Nadal’s match game. After that I was looking for to seeing real Nishikori. I saw him like very small from the standing seat. I could see other court from the standing seat. But it was getting cold. I never want to catch a cold here. When Nishikori got 1st set, I left the stadium.
14th August Friday
It was rain during the morning. It was getting cold recently. I took a pants and a jacket. I walked to the subway station with umbrella. Some people didn’t use umbrella. I reached to the studio at about the noon. A few member were working there. Many people were vacation now. I continued to make Adam and Mathieu’s portraits. I could concentrate to my work until 7 pm. I went to BIXI’s dock. But it was empty. I looked for other dock, but no bike there. I had to walk for a long while to get bike. Bixi was very useful, but that happed in a few time.
15th August Saturday
I couldn’t sleep well last night. I awaked at about 4 am. I hesitated to book tennis ticket of Nishikori, because of cloudy weather. But I bought seat ticket, fee was about 100 dollars. If it will be rain, I have to abandon 100 dollars.
Fortunately weather was not bad. I reached to the studio at about 8 am. Nobody there. I felt tried also today. I finished 2 portraits, Mathieu and Adan.
I left the studio at about 7 pm, then go to the stadium by bike. Nishikori played well in the first set, but he lost the set. At the second set, he missed a lot. We could not feel fighting spirit from him. He took 0 games, then Marry won. I am very disappointed. Many visitors booed at the Nishikori after the game. I also wanted to do so.
16th August Monday
It was hot day today. I started to make Caroline and Nicolas’s portraits. I finished 4 portraits until yesterday. Before I came here, I expected to finish at least 12 work. But I thought it will be impossible. I went to the Japanese paper shop near the studio. It was cozy, but I found a lot of kind of Washi even though Gampi.
Alexandre invited me to the dinner. I went to upstairs at 6 pm. His parents and daughter & her husband and dog “haiku” were waiting for me. I handed tiny Bulgaria souvenir and a bottle of wine. His mum cooked grilled pork with boiled vegetables. We talked about my Bulgaria trip, strange weather, wood cut print. Father had finished to repair the back gate today. A daughter have an interview to get new job tomorrow. Alexandre will teach water based wood cut on fall. He will be back to the studio next Friday, and so on. I had a very nice time with them.
17th August Monday
It was hot day also today. I arrived to the studio at 9 am. I brought PC to the studio, because I wanted to check if the projector connected to my PC for my lecture. But I found I needed other type of the connection cable. I asked Mathieu to look for it. But he looked like busy. I concentrated to make 2 portraits, I finished them at about 5 pm. So I came back to house although it was so early. I went to laundry shop to wash dirty clothes. I finished the laundry, it was already 8 pm.
18th August Tuesday
I couldn’t sleep well last night, because I was thinking about my artist talk. I fell into the sleep at about 6 am, then I awaked at already 9am. I was surprised because I made it with some studio members at 9:30. I barely reached to the studio at 9:40. They almost started to go by cars in front of the studio. We went to Torois-Rivieris to see the Biennial. It was a famous Print Biennial in Canada. It had already 9th edition in this show. Naoji got 2nd prize at the 6th edition. Marcel brought me to the last biennial 2 years ago. I was surprised almost prints were put into the metal frame. It was very different atmosphere more than last time. We took an Italian lunch together. I ordered carbonara pasta, but it was too much for me as usual. Talleen went to Porato in this summer. She stayed at Mami’s house, my friend, for one night. It was surprised for me. I have stayed there last summer. What a small world! After the lunch, we visited at least 3 exhibition places, then came back. I didn’t have many opportunities to talk with other members, but it was not so bad as a small trip.
19th August Wednesday
It was also hot day today.
I printed 2 sheets of paper each of 6 portraits by Chine-colle. One print was for gift for friend, the other one was donation for the studio. I finished that at about 4 pm. Then I sketched Stoilov and Antonov’s portraits. It was already around 7 pm. I left the studio.
20th August Thursday
I went to the farmer’s market at about 9 am. I wanted to buy cheese which Alexandre recommended. I didn’t know the name of the cheese. I finished last one a few days ago. It was really delicious. Actually I was not so interested in cheese before. Anyway I bought it. Then I went to the pharmacy. I had diarrhea for about 10 days after Bulgaria. I brought the medicine for the diarrhea from Japan “seirogan”. But it didn’t work so much. It was over yesterday, so I bought small pack of medicine, only 6 tablets. The staff said at first I should take 2 tablets. I took them when I reached to the studio, then diarrhea stopped. Amazing medicine!
I prepared to use a projector for tomorrow’s presentation. I installed my work’s digital images to the studio’s PC. I checked to use computer, and so on. I was ready to have my artist talk.
I made Antonov and Stoilof’s portraits. I made them by mezzotint technique. I used locker to make mezzotint surface all day long. You know it was hard. I had really arm muscle ache. I didn’t use the tool to support moving the locker. I thought it was useful. I should make it by myself after this residence.
21st August Friday
Today I had “artist talk”. I arrived to the studio at about 9 am. I put my works which I brought from Tokyo on the table. I also put 6 portraits which I already finished in the studio. About 15 people came today. We moved to the digital room which I can make dark inside for using projector. I started my presentation by using projector. I could talk about my work easier than before, because I talked it 100 time before. Nicole asked me a few times while I was talking. It was good atmosphere because it was not one-sided my talking. I talked about “20 visitors” “100 faces” and “friends” as usual for about 40 minutes. After that we moved to the studio. I also explained about my real print works. I showed 6 portraits who were member of this studio. I felt people were very interested in my works. They asked me a lot of kind of questions. Their reaction was very honesty. I was very happy to talk my work today. I almost satisfied.
After my presentation, we had a small party. Some members prepared dished for today. The studio bought wine or beers. I didn’t expect that. I enjoyed to take a lunch together. Nicole cooked grilled rice for me. All dishes were nice. I appreciated all of them very much.
22nd August Saturday
I went to laundry shop in the morning. I also went to kind of 1 dollar shop. I bought envelops and hard board. When I walked around the mall, I heard the song Julio Iglesias. I heard Julio a few times before here. I am not sure people liked Julio because it was French song? Anyway I loved “Nathalie”, so I bought his CD, 4 dollars. It was of course illegal copy. I arrived to the studio at about 10 am. Today it was almost empty. I continued to make 2 portraits, Stoilov and Antonov. I almost finished them at about 6 pm. I also worked hard today as usual.
23rd Sunday
I awaked at about 6 am, because I slept 10 pm last night. I still had a “nori” which I brought from Tokyo. I made “onigiri” for lunch. I arrived to the studio at 8 am. I started to make Denitsa and Yayo’s portraits. I ate “onigiri” at the lunch. I was so delicious. I concentrated to do until 6 pm.
Here is the Autumn sky.
24th Monday
I slept very well for 10 hours. I went to the studio as usual.
A women who were interested in my works came to the studio. She bought 3 works of mine. I didn’t expected that. From 8:30 to 7 pm, I worked hard. Nothing special. Nothing happen. I just concentrated my work.
25th Tuesday
Today I brought onigiri again. Mathiue noticed that were Japanese food, nigiri. He said Japanese culture was popular in Montreal. For example anime, music and art. Constaitionos worked every day recently. He was Grecian. He was making coffee by different way. We talked about making coffee, drip coffee, espresso and Grecian coffee.
I finished 2 portraits, Denitsa and Yayo. I have already finished total 10 portraits until today. I have more 4 days to work, but I decided printing donation works tomorrow. I prepared for printing combined plate works, then cut Gampi, and so on. I already thought when I left here.
26th Wednesday
I printed all donation works. Actually I was not requested donate works, but I thought it was better for me and also for Atelier. First I printed a large size print which combined by 10 plates. I printed 2 sheets. Not so bad. After the lunch, I went to go outside to buy coffee beans. I asked Wing any suitable shop near here. I went there by Bixi. The coffee shop looked like very popular. I had to wait at the end of long line.
After the lunch break, I printed 4 small portraits. I used Gampi this time. It was not good. Maybe etching time was too long, so the line became fat. But I had no idea now. Anyway I finished to print donation works at about 4 pm. I was very tired.
I came back my room. I asked Alexsandre to fix the internet connection. It became all right.
27th Thursday
I already printed for donation yesterday, I didn’t harry to go to the studio today. I started to make Velina and Teodora’s portraits. I was not sure I could finish them until leaving the Montreal. I used Aquatint Box in the studio. It was really good. I asked Mathieu about resin. He said he bought powder resin from Charbonnel. And he said it was expensive. In Japan, we usually had to grind solid resin to make it into the powder. You know that was really annoying.
29th Saturday
Today was almost final day in Montreal.
I forgot to leave the key to the studio. So I had to go there again. I left the studio key in my drawer, then started to go to the museum. Last evening, a young member recommended to see the exhibition which was held in the Contemporary Art Museum. I didn’t expect it so much, but it was really amazing exhibition. David Altmejd was a young Canadian sculptor. I saw his monument work in front of the museum 2 years ago. I had been inspired in it.
Next I visited Montreal Art museum. I also have visited there 2 years ago. Rodin’s exhibition was on going now, but I could not find any other fresh work there. But I just recognized that art was fun. Art should be fun. Just draw freely. Just express myself.
Alexandre invited me to the dinner this evening again, as a kind of farewell party. His mum & he made noodle “larmen” to treat me. He made soup and Tyasyu, grilled pork. It was delicious. He cooked very well. I was so glad to stay his house for a month.