from Quebec
25th July- 18th August 2013, I will stay at Quebec, Canada, as an artist-in-residence.
25th July Thursday
From Narita to Tront, after about 11-hours flight, I have to change the plain for Montreal. But I had a trouble that my baggage came too late so I miss the connection plain. I rebooked next domestic plain, so I arrived Montreal airport 1.5 hours late. I made Mr. Marcel wait for me for a long while.
Marcel piced me up from the airport to Val-David by car. It took about 2 hours drive. So I finally arrived Atelier de l'lle printmaking studio.
Paul show me around the studio. He is also lithogragh printmaking artist. Maybe he will assist me a lot.
Val David is small town, I felt comfortable.
I can stay at Philippe's cottage. I met him and his wife, Suzy.They are young and really kind. I am very lucky to stay there 3 weeks.
26th July Friday
Marcel & I went to the exhibition by car. It is popular printmaking competition Trois-Rivieres . Actually I applied it, but my work was not accepted.
It is a bit far from Val-David. It took 2 hours by car. We met Elizabeth, organizer of the triennial exhibition, and Kazuko and his husband, at there. Ms.Kazuko helps me to translate from Frech to Japanese. Elizabeth showed us all exhibitions of triennial, after that we arrived her studio, Atelier Press Papier.
This studio also had a room for artist in residence. The studio and gest room are very nice. Some members of the studio held a small welcome party. I showed a few small my works for them.
Anyway I had a strong jet lag, so I felt very sleepy. But I am happy to see many new friends.
27th July Saturday
A new guest in cottage, .....from America. he is Suzy's friend.
I came studio around 11am by walk. I slept well last night. I couldn't connect internet in Philippe's cottage, but I could connect in the studio. I was very relieved.
Many visitors came to the studio to see the exhibition "kiss". So it was busy a bit. I talked with Marilyse. She is really active woman, and speaks loudy. She was making intaglio, and she is pregnant now. Also I talked with Micheline.
I started to work, although I had still jet lag. I had to ask to Paul how to use studio a lot. He gently taught me well.
I went to supermarket to buy beers. It is close to the studio, so very convinient. I spread etching ground on 15 small copper plates, then smoked them. I can start to draw tomorrow.
28th July Sunday
A cat is always just outside of the cottage. She is a kind of stray cat, but sometimes really want to come inside.
Last light I awaked in the midnight. I cloud not be back to sleep, so I read Haruki Murakami's novel, "shikisaiomotanai Tasakitsukuruto kareno Junreinotoshi "about 4 hours. Then finished it. I had deep emotional feeling, and I cried a bit. actually I don't like his too fanftagic description, for example, a cat talking something. But this novel is unusually realistic, like a "Norwegian wood."
It was coudy in the morning, then heavy rain in the evening. It was humid like Tokyo, but no misquito. I had still jet lag.
I started first etching, Paul's portrait. I also asked Paul a lot about washing liquid, aquatint, and so on. Paul is really good at technique of all printmaking. And he likes to explain about that.
Marie stayed in studio to treat visitors who came to see the exhibition "kiss". After 5 pm, she hunge prints off because of last day of it.
29th July Monday
Last midnight I waked again, and I clouldn't sleep a few hours.
A cat beged me to feed, but I didn't know where the cat food was. So I asked ( an American, shered person) to do so although he was still sleeping.
I walked about 20 minutes to go studio everyday. Find day, then rainy & cloudy today.
I met many Canadians today. Sylviane and Olga are stuff of the studio. They treat me very politly as a guest. Caroline and Marie are young women. They were working screen printing. They print handmade kind of ink on the glass. They are all woman except me. Paul came around 5pm today.
I almost finished Paul's portrait. I tried to printe 2 sheets by chin-cole. But I wonder if I add to etch the Paul's Japanese name, "宝留", by photo-etching.
30th July Tuesday
Very fine day.
A kind of festival, "1001 POTS" was held in Val-David now. I heard about a Japanese ceramic artist, Kinya Ishikawa, many times. He seems one of the most popular artist in this town. He and the other many ceramic artists showed their works, so I visited there. It was wonderful big show. I could see a lot of type of ceramic works. I wanted to buy a few cups, then decided this one. The color is almost as same as green tea. I bought for my wife's tea ceremony.
A few days ago, I asked Sylbiane where I can buy instant noodle. Actually there is a supermarket near the studio, but it didn't have Chinese noodle. She took me to Chinese restaurant in next town by car today. I could get fried rice and spring rolls by take-out.
Today, the studio was quiet. I was working alone. Paul was keeping to prepare something.
31st July Wednesday
I had a good news today. I got a GRAND PRIX OF THE CITY OF VARNA by the International jury of the XVII International Print Biennial Varna 2013, Bulgaria.
Anyway Marcel & I went to a few printmaking studios in Montoreal. This is my request. He droved me there again.
First we visited printmaking course of the University Concordia. Aanchal, assistant of teacher, showed us around. I also met a Japanese student, Hideki Kawashima, who studied lithogragh at there. He is master course now. I found high quality non-toxic aquatint room. But the other hand, they don't care about traditional liquid ground or oilbased vanish and so on. Very clean huge studio, but no students because of vacation. I was surprized they use UV ink for screen printing. UV ink never dry except sunray.
2nd, we visited a good view spot on the top of the hill. We can see almost center of Montreal from there. Very fine nice day! Sunshine is bit strong, but wind is cool, so nice. Marcel was born in the center of Montreal. He used to stay there for long while, so he is familier any detail of Montreal. We took a bit late-lunch. I ate delicious tuna- pasta. It is thin pasta with mustard sauce, some piece of rare tsuna on it.
Then we visited Aterier Piroir. There were some really traditional big press machines. Agathe show us around, and talked about their book-work. They are good at making print for small size of book or brochure. I saw Zao Wou-Ki's one.
At last, we visited Aterier Circulaire. It was in large open space studio. I felt good this open atmosphere. Wah Wing Chan, technical adviser, showed us around. He was talkative man. He didn't take care about non-toxic so much. He was keeping studio's equipments or materials in ordar.
Anyway toxic or non-toxic are depends on artist, or the studio, or teacher. It is also as same as Japan or Europe.
1st August Thursday
Heavy jet lag was getting better today.
I finisged 毬栗鼠 portorait, 10x15cm etching aquatint BFK chine-cole. 毬 means ball. Ball means cute a bit. 栗鼠 means squirrel. She is a active woman, speaks lowdly. She is pregnant now. I printed 3 sheets for donation. This series work "friednds" had started last summer, arist in residence in Sweden. I already made 14 Swedish friends portraits. I want to make more than 10 works at least in Atelier de l'lle. Next November I will also saty in Australia for 6 weeks. I will continue this series. Next January I will have a important exhibition in Tokyo. I want show all "100 faces" & " friends" completely at that time.
Anyway chin-cole is popular in Motreal. Many printmaking artist use Japanese paper and know how to use Gampi. Who did chin-cole start first? Of course Rembrandt printed on Gampi 400 years ago, but chin-cole is a different technique. It is a good combination Europe & Japan, and also paper & culture.
2nd August Friday
I visited gallery near the studio. 3 comtemporary artists showed there, sculpture, installation and photogragh. They are almost good quality. Shylviane said there are may artists in Val-David. "Don't you feel like a artistic atmosphere in this town?" ,she said.
Around the noon, I felt really sleepy, so I went outside for refreshing. I heard young women were singing with the band in open air concert. Many people gathered at there and dancing a bit.
Fine day ,then heavy rain and thunder. Around 4 pm, Marcel, Shylviane, Olga, Paul and me started to hang my exhibition's work. Olga prepared new acrylic hanging plates and so on. We finished that around 8 pm. Thank you for everyone! I really appriciate all of you.
Finally my exhibition will start tomorrow. And also I have to have a small lecture. I remembered I had a lecture at Tallin International Drawing Triennial last year. At that time, I was nervous for a week before that.
Anyway marcel said much coffee make you nurvous. Did you know that? I always drink 5～6 cup of coffee in a day. So I didn't drink coffee so much today.
I expect never to sleep tonight, but I could sleep well.
3rd August Saturday
Carole and friends came. She works every August in Atelier de l'lle. She looks really active woman. She gave me a black running T-shirts. She run in Boston marathon before. She keeps running now. She is intaglio artist.
We went to farmer's market together. There are many markets and so crowded. I bought breads and salami.
Around 2 pm, my solo exhibition started. Visiters gradually came. Press came to interview to me. They are both young women. Kenya came, too. He is well known Japanese ceramic artist in Quebec. I started my small lecture around 3. Many visiters gathered to see my presentation. I used projecter for showing my work image, "20 visitors" , "100 faces" and "friends-Sweden-". Mis. Kazuko translate from Japanese to French. I want to have discussion or converstaion with visitors friendly. But I didn't need to worry about that. Many people gave me questions about my works. That is very nice atmosphere.
Quebec is the French language district. Now I knew speaking French was really familier for visiters. I tried to explain my works by English after Kazuko leaving, people didn't have good reaction.
4th August Sunday
Yesterday 2 young women came to cottage to share the room. They are Phillippe's friends, from Montreal.
Bit cold outside. Carole started her intaglio works today next my table. She was making many small works at the same time.
A few visitors come to my exhibition. Claude was tall painter. He showed us his video work. He combined his paint and nature video. He has visited Japan for the exhibition a few times. He, Paul and the other Guebec artists had made "Book Art" for exhibition at the Sakai-city's gallery in 2004.
Phillippe's aunt came with her friend. I didn't know Carole was staying at her house now.
In the evening, Carole went to outside for jogging. I finished Caroline's portrait at around 9 pm. I want to print 3 sheets more, but I didn't do so because of tiredness.
I was back to cottage at around 10 pm. 2 womens were still sitting up. I asked them where they visited today. They seemed to come my exhibition, but I didn't see them. They will leave tomorrow.
5th August Monday
Evlyne, young woman, spoke quickly. She was making a kind of post card work by typography next to my table. Carole, Evlyne and I were working at the same table.
Ginette started big size stone lithograph. She transferred photocopy in the stone very well.
I concentrated my work all day long recently. I wanted to finish 1 portrait a day. First, I did line etching 3 times, 30 minutes corrosion each. Then I printed test-print. After that, I did aquatint 1～3 times. And I scrached, burnished the plate. Then I drew Kangi name on Gampi paper. I did photo-engraving for corrosion calligraphy. At last, I printed 3 sheets of etching work.
I barely finished Marcel's portrait today.
Someone might say to me. Why do you always work hard? You should be more relax...... I know, I know. But I satisfy this situation now.
6th August Tuesday
The local press came to my exhibition from Montreal. They interviewed me for a while. I have never expected 2 press came for interview, at the opening and today. I hope to have further oppotunity of my exhibition in Montreal. But don't expect too much, I said to myself.
Marie and her husband came. She bought my print work last day. But her hasband watched my wirks for a long time, then decided to change to buy different one.
Around the noon, Carole & Evlyne were going to jog. Calore recommended me to go outside, because I could see nice river near here. So I followed them while just only beginning their jogging.
It was comfortable outside. We walked with a quick step a bit on the cycling road. Many people were enjoying to take bike. We arrived at riverside. It was comfortable area. The sound of flowing river refreshed me. I thought to come again with camera.
7th August Wednesday
Evlyne, Paul, Carole, Ginette and I went to eat "pautine"at near store. Pautine is traditional Quebec food, cutting cheese and potato with a bit sweat sauce. I ordered added sausage one. It almost nice taste. Yesterday we talked about pautine, because Evlyne recommended for me as a something traditional food.
I also said I wanted to drink miso soup yesterday. Carole brought me to the near grocery store which had miso. And also Evlyne asked his boyfriend to bring miso from Montreal. I was really happy to feel their warm support.
I dicided not to hesitate so much. Maybe that was better to do anything in abroad. I had to prepare for student class today. Tomorrow I will start 3 days morning class for master course students. I had to ask paul about etching materials a lot. If I hesite to ask him, I can't to do good job.
I recognized that my work " friend" give me good oppotunity to have relationship with them. I mean, I have to ask someone to draw the portrait first. People sometimes expect or worry about my etching. Finally I have to show my finishing work. That is not so easy thing for me, but fun. I hope all friends feel as same as me.
I finished Carole's portrait today.
8th August Thursday
Here are Marcel & Carole's Portraits.
3 scholorship students of Atelier de l'lle came to the studio. They lives in Quebec, and also master course student. Annabelle is woman, Antoine and Felix are man. I felt they were all clever studens. I started my calss from 9 pm. I explained about intaglio technique by my poor english. I domonstated how to make engraving, drypoint, mezzotint, etching and aquatint. I missed printing and others, but I barely could show etching techniques. It was the first time for them to make etching. So I taught only traditional techniques. I tried not to explain too much about that.
Carole did photo-etching with Paul last night. But it seemed not good. The pure-etch film didn't fit the surface of zinc plate. Anyway she went to Montreal after 5 pm with Marcel. Then Paul also Left.
The studio was empty still 6 pm. Suddenly I felt relax, then I went to supermarket to buy beers. I continued to make Evlyne's portrait while I was drinking beers with sarami in the studio. Actually I never work while I drinking alchole. That was my policy , but.......Oh! I misstook etching work a lot! I bit regreted to grink beers.
9th August Friday
I had work-shop for students today, too. I explained about intaglio techniques yesterday. Students started their own work. Evline and we are same table. She is really cheerful character. She taught them about etching a lot by French. She brought me miso a bit. Thanks Evline.
Annabelle drew landscape. Antoine drew Sokrates portrait. Felix drew a kind of map.
Claudette came to the studio, and she bought my work. I packed my print for her immediately, then handed it to her. She will have a vacation from tomorow. We took a picture together.
I prepared for tomorrow's work-shop. Tomorrow and day after tomorrow I will have work-shop for adult members. About 10 peoples will come. I already had 100 work-shop in Japan. So I can do it easily, but I know the problem is my poor English.
At last, I finished Evline's portrait.
10th August Saturday
Sometimes I saw squirrel on the way to the studio in the morning. I head noisy sound"gi gi gi.." from the tree. I thought the birds were singing first, but that was by squrrel's.
I started work-shop for adult members, 9 people came. I explained and demonstrated about my own techniques, line etching, aquatint, making materials and so on. I always feel adult student's reaction is very good. So my motivation is getting well. I could have fun to teach today. Maybe they might feel same as me.
11th August Sunday
I cooked Japanese curry, "Jawa Curry" last night. I brought it for work shop lunch a lot. Everybody said it was delicious.
I demonstrated how to print chine-colle. It was already popular for almost abroad recently. There is Japanese paper shop in Montreal, so they can buy Japanese paper or gampi or other one.
I almost satisfied my work shop. I could talk with members a lot, and enjoyed to teach. It was most important thing. I really tired but I thought I did a good job.
12th August Monday
It was the last day to teach for students. I demonstrated how to print Chine-Colle. They seemed to interested in that. Antoine made steady etching. Felix made conceptual line etching. Annabelle made wild landscape one. They keep learning about the other printmaking techniques untill the end of this month. And then they can use this studio free for one year. It will be good benefit for them.
I handed small gifts for Olga & Sylviane, then asked them to draw their portrait. I have only 3 days until leaving the studio, so I might not make their portraits.
13th August Tuesday
Here are 3 portraits, 絵舞鈴 Evlyne, 伽良林 Caloline and 我菜鈴 Annabelle. I finished Annabelle's one, she seemed to be delighted to see it.
Paul tought about wood engraving for students today. He was very busy everyday. He will teach about lithogragh tomorrow.
14th August Wednesday
I made Olga's portrait. I used suger maple leaf for soft-ground. I had to finish Sylviane's portrait before leaving. I desided 2 cherries for her eyes.
I am glad maybe they almost enjoyed my works. But I am not sure they really glad or not. But it can't be helped. That is my work.
Sylviane brought me to the Chinese restaurant again. I asked grilled noodle for take out. She weared nice black & white shirts, so I disided to use the pattern for her portrait. Because the pattern had meaning "forever".
.
15th August Thursday
Today it was the last day for me in Atelier de l'lle.
In the morning, I printed Sylviane's portrait, final printing. Gradually I felt really tired and sleepy.
Marcel managed my farewell party. A lot of pizzas, pautine and champagne. A mayer, Paul, Marcel, Sylviane, Felix, Antoine and Caroline are joined it. Philippe & her son Benjamin came to join us later.
I handed my donation works to Marcel. Then my all work finished completely.
Marcel, Paul, Carole and 3 students gave me their print works. Annabelle and Felix gave me drawings my portrait.
I said good-bye for everyone, then Marcel drived Carole and me to Montreal. I arrived at hotel to stay 3 nights. But I had a trouble Hotel didn't accept my staying at first. I felt bad atmosphere, but finally I could check-in. Marcel supported me at the end. We said good-bye. It was hard for me at that time.
16th August Friday
I felt cold in the room because air conditiner was too strong. So I went to recepcion to complain about that. I ate breakfast in really small room. I have never eaten such a tiny breakfast before.
Around 10 am, I went to outside. I bought 3 days subway ticket bacause Evaline recommend it. Then I went to check the bus staion which I will take a bus for airport the day after tomorrow.
I walked aroud from my hotel to the Fine Art Museum. I took a rest at the McGill University on the way to there. It had large grass campas. Many visitors took a rest, ate fast food, jogged around near here.
Evlyne showem me around Montreal Fine Art Museum. Especially glass exhibition was amazing. A team of glass artists made a lot of big colourful glass works. I have never seen such large scale of glass works before.
I visited also Basilique Notre- Dame's night show. Show is so so, but alter were really beautiful. You can see great scale of wooden alter scalptures at there.
17th August Saturday
I went to Botanical Garden Montreal which Evlyne recommended. It was just next to Olympic park. It was huge plants and flower garden. Many monuments which were made by all plants were excellent. I met cute squirrel at there.
Then I went to comtemporary art museum. I enjoyed a bit. but I couldn't understand 70 %, especialy abstract art. But it's ok. You don't need to understand the ART. You should just feel that you like or not. That's enough. I bought 6 small callenders for survenier at the museum shop.
I walked near China town, so I ate wantan noodle soup. When I paied the bill, a stuff tried to cheat me the change.
We, Japanese are not used to complain about something. When I travel to abroard, I always have a few oppotinities that I have to complain to the other person. I am not good at that yet, but I have to do so. Today young guy threatened me on the road. I am not sure why? But we should understand that is a ordinary thing. Japan is really peacefull, compare to the foreign country.
I bought a few souveniers, cookies, maple sylup for my students and wife at the old town. It was still 4 pm, so I visited Oratoire St-Joseph. It was huge church.
Today it was very fine day all day long. Sunshine was beautiful, shade was cool & comfortable, and a bit wind.
I felt reall tired, I came back to hotel earlier..
18th August Sunday
I checkedout early morning, then took airpor bus. It took about 40 minitues to the airport. Last night I did on-line checkin for getting boarding pass. But I couldn't print out it, so I worried about a bit. But it was no problem when I checked in Air Canada.
It took 1.5 hours from Motreal to Toront, then change the plane to Narita. I waited for 2 hours. I bought T-shirs for souvenier. After 12 hours, I barely arrived Narita airport. I felt too long to spend in the plain because of my backache. Tokyo was too humid and hot!!
My Quebec 3 weeks passed quickly. I worked hard not only making etchings but also workshop or exhibition. I really thought it was good for me to come to Atelier de l'lle. Peaple were kind, and they treated me as a guest. Actually I didn't feel alone this time. If I came to Montreal's studio, I thought it became different result.
I think it is not wrong way what I am doing. I can't have these precious experiences in Japan. That is not for making my carrier, I just want to spend good life, that's all. I want to continue this life-style until I can't stand long flight.
I will stay at Australia for 6 weeks this Autumn.