jodisam.com Online Store Now Open

Am soooo excited to share this with you!  Yes, jodisam.com online store is finally up, running, and open for business! You can shop directly, conveniently, and internationally from here.  Of course, the section is much wider than my Etsy store (www.etsy.com/ca/shop/jodisamstudio), with more than 60+ cards—I have added the new "breathe", "the stars" series and even the holiday ones!

Actually, I have been working on this even before starting on my Etsy store, which launched earlier, 2 months ago.  Given there was much more to do, and even more that was and still is completely new to me, it took me quite some time to put it all together.  Available Now: Greeting Cards. Coming Soon: Commissioned Pieces, Prints, and Original Artwork. Just in time for the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, and I for one am very thankful of all the love and support everyone has shown me over the years. 

As a small thank you, receive 10% off discount with the code: THANKFUL10 (from now until Oct 31 2018) and FREE SHIPPING too for orders over $50 (Canada) and $75 (US & Worldwide). Oh, the Any 5 Cards for $25 CAD is a great deal too!

Am aiming to spread lots and lots of positive bubbly happiness worldwide!

jodisam.com/store

Etsy - jodisamstuido

Have been working on some projects lately, and they have taken up a lot of my time, which is another excuse for not posting as much as I would like to.  But finally, I can share with you one of my undertakings.  It's my Etsy store named jodisamstudio.  I have been asked many times by people where they can purchase my cards and artwork besides select Vancouver boutiques or at my shows. So, here's my answer to them.

Actually I wanted to set up a store on Etsy for quite sometime, as I have been buying many wonderful pieces, especially handmade jewellery, from the site for years.  As simple as it seems, it is no easy feat. Just taking photos of my cards in itself was a huge task to tackle, and am still in the process of it.  Of course, there is the payment account registration, writing the descriptions, setting up prices--the means to figure out exchange rates, shipping and etc., and ordering some shipping supplies--because I want my packages to arrive pretty inside and out.

That said, here is the beginning of another chapter of my eCommerce adventure, the first one being my eBooks and print-on-demand books on Amazon/Blurb, LINE Stickers, and my lovely collaboration with Umade.  It's a learning curve every time, but always a great experience. I am only partially done updating available items, so keep on checking back the store.  And yes, there will be many more cards available on my Etsy store than carried at local boutiques.  Am also dreaming up new items, other than cards and original artworks, too!

So, would you please kindly join me on this digital journey of mine?  Of course, do let me know what you think, since all feedback are welcomed and much appreciated! Oh, must mention that there is a special Buy 5 Get 1 Free offer available right now!

www.etsy.com/ca/shop/jodisamstudio

On Painting - bubbles

Many people often ask me if I do indeed paint each and every single bubble in my paintings by hand, and when I answer yes, they would say "you must be very patient!". In all honesty, am not, which is very ironic/contradictory, as I like to create my pieces, no matter if it's the blotted line drawing illustrations or my bubbles painting, using time consuming and tedious techniques.

In the case of painting numerous on bubbles am using softer watercolour brushes on a rougher canvas surface.  I used to use natural fiber Japanese brushes, efude, but I went through too many of them in a very short period of time.  What's worse, is that they are impossible to replace here in Canada.

Even switching over to synthetic Western watercolour brushes, I still go through them like mad.  Here's a look at the three brushes am using at the moment, the left almost at the end of its cycle, the center, half way there, and to the right, a new brush that would eventually end up looking like the one of the left.  And by all means, am not using student/craft quality brushes--I can't because I find the bristles either too firm, too brittle, not holding enough pigment......

I take care of my supplies very well, as they are an important part of my work.  However, I just put my brushes through way too much to a point that it's heartbreaking and I do feel sorry for them.  If you are wondering what brushes I use, it's Winsor & Newton Galeria Round.  That said, I still use fude whenever am painting on paper, which is better, but they too will need to replaced much quicker than they were meant to be.

Beauty Treatment - Yomogi Steam

I want to share today a commissioned piece that I painted for a yomogi steam salon in Japan.  The beauty treatment originates in Korea, but it's gaining popularity in Japan and other parts of Asia.  It involves the steaming of yomogi under a chair which the person receiving the treatment sits on while wearing an oversized cape to trap all the goodness of the steam in.  A detox and beauty within treatment that has been gathering many fans.

Yomogi, is Japanese mugwort, a herb that can be eaten (especially when made into a delicious rice cake dessert--Google yomogi mochi, or kusamochi and you would know what I mean), drank, or used for steaming.  It is known for its detoxing, healing, warming properties, and for ladies, to help alleviate the bloating, menstrual craps and more.  Hence, when pregnant or nursing the herb should be avoided.

Self-care has always been the core of my work, may it be writing and illustrating books like How To Take a Wa Style Bath and My Little Book of Happiness, which are about taking care of oneself, or painting my bubbles series, as it brings a sense of zen to both the painter (me) and the viewer (you).  So, I was extremely delighted when I was asked to illustrate this piece for a new yomogi salon.  It really shows how lucky I am to have these wonderful opportunities!

JS x Umade - bubbles Wall Tapestry

Am so excited that I can finally share with you my newest collaboration with Umade, an amazing and innovative company that specializes in unique interior decor goods.  They are a strong supporter of creative talents and allow shoppers to personalize items to suit their own needs.

My bubbles are now made into beautiful wall tapestry that comes in a variety of sizes from 75 x 100 cm (29.5" x 39.5") to 112 x 150 cm (44" x 59")!  I know that original paintings are not always accessible, but these wall tapestry definitely are.  I have selected some of my favourite nature inspired pieces for this collaboration, and hope these little bubbles will bring lots of joy and positive energy to you all!  Here are some images for you to see.  For more details and to purchase, please click on any of the images in this post.

 

https://umadeshop.com/search?type=product&q=jodi

Various bubbles Wall Tapestry from Umade (English - International)
- Free Shipping Worldwide -

https://www.umade.cc/collections/jodi-sam

Various bubbles Wall Tapestry from Umade (Chinese - Asia)
- Free Shipping Available -

New Website

It's been almost 5 years since my website received a major overhaul. The last time was back in 2013, and it took me 2 months to perfect the look and feel of it.  I have been thinking about redoing my site for more than a year now, and I finally did!  Am very happy to share this with you--though, you reading this post right now, would have already seen it!

I did not just refreshed it with a new template, but I decided to redo everything (yes, I redesigned some elements and then copied and pasted all the content over) to give a smoother navigation experience, and a lighter look.  Come to think of it, my first website in 2005 was completely based on black, then in 2013 it was dark grey, and come 2018, it's now white with light grey.  The new site took me a solid month, but there is still much more to do--keep watching this space, as I have more things planned for this little website of mine!  And thank you for being with me on this creative life journey.

On Being Grateful - bubbles' New Home II

I posted a couple of photos in my previous post of the new homes of my work, something I don't even get to see often myself.  Am fortunate to have another one to share with you.  The painting, bubbles–wisteria, has not only a new home but a friend, a beautiful photo both hanging on the wall of an advertising firm's office in Tokyo.  Funny, as both pieces are of flowers and nature.  I cannot thank everyone enough--am forever grateful.

On Being Grateful - bubbles' New Home

Am grateful every day that I can do what I do, because it brings me and hopefully, many others true joy. My paintings are like my babies and sadly, I don't often get photos of the new homes of my work once I see them off to their new owners.  But, when I do get photos, am even more grateful and humbled. 

I hand delivered this painting, bubbles--autumn II, soon after I wrapped up my in Tokyo, where it now is, hanging in the beautiful living-dining room of its new owners.  Am so happy that it is a part of their daily lives, and that through it, I am too.  I hope that my work will give them lots of positive bubbly energy filled with joy, love and flow!   And of course, thank you to the new owners for giving my work a new home, and for sending me the photos--am so blessed!

JS Holiday Cards

It's already mid-December and the holiday season is here! I have been busy with a couple of deadlines and an upcoming project that am prepping to launch very very soon, so everything else--including this post here about my Christmas greeting cards, and holiday notes to friends, have been slow. The adorable ones above and other holiday cards are now available the following retailers. A big thank you as always to all for supporting local artists!! Please drop by any of these beautiful boutiques if you are ever in the neighourhood(s)!

Branches & Knots
3128 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC
 branchesandknots.com

Giving Gifts
4570 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
givinggifts.ca

espace d.
215 - 332 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
espacedonline.com

Stock Home Design
3060 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
stockhomedesign.com

Willow & Wallflower
2606 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, BC
willowandwallflower.ca

Please note, selection varies from boutique to boutique

Thank You & from The Art of Daydreaming

Was my first show ever in Taiwan. Despite the fact that I had just previously wrapped up an exhibition in Tokyo, I headed to Taipei with a suitcase and bag full of paintings for my second stop of this so-called "Asian tour" of mine. I named it "The Art of Daydreaming" because it is the result of my constant daydreaming, and because of my love of a certain music album--"The Art of Doing Nothing" by Mark Owen (you really should give it a listen, as it honestly is a work of art). The biggest challenge for me was transportation, since the Tokyo and Taipei shows featured different paintings. No piece of work was shown twice for these two exhibitions.

I am grateful of the Image and Art Center, Chinese Culture University, School of Continuing Education in Taipei for allowing me to hold show in their wonderful gallery space for only a week, since they usually have ones for a minimum of two. Though I didn't speak the language, everyone was extremely helpful and I had a great time introducing my work to a new audience outside that of North America and Japan.

The first two photos are of my work in the gallery, and the last one is of setup--taking paintings out of my suitcase and deciding which ones go where.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this show in Taipei possible, especially to my good friend who helped with all the arrangements and translations, and for the ones to came by (one who even surprised me by coming all the way from Tokyo!), sent their well wishes, and the new friends I have made. It has been an amazing and memorable experience!! I will definitely be back again one day!

Thank You & from bubbles - of zen & en

Thank you everyone at Fireking Cafe in Tokyo for having me & my bubbles in your beautiful space! It was an amazing 3 weeks, where I debuted my large sized bubbles on canvas paintings. I couldn't ask for a warmer reception of bubbly works! Also, thank you to all the people who made this happen (the arrangements, transport, roof over my head--the list is endless), the ones who came in person to spend their time & smiles with me, the others who wanted to come, and the new friends who I made! Am an extremely lucky person, with great "en" and love.

Yes, it's been a little over a month since the conclusion of my bubbles–of zen & en show. Apologies for the delay in updates here, as soon after the show, I was out in Taipei holding another one, with a completely different set of artwork (please kindly see my post below).

The first picture above is of our setup at 2 AM in the morning, yes, 2 AM! Everyone was a pro, and I can't thank all enough, with a special nod to my friend who arranged everything, and I mean everything for me. On top of that, was lucky to be the beneficiary of the brand new museum lights that the owner had just purchased. The lights made the bubbles come alive in the evening. You honestly have to see my work there in person, and again I thank you to all that did. Was even able to have a friend who I haven't met in person in 15 years!

The second photo was taken at opening hour, the moment of calm before the rush. The paintings and atmosphere of the venue is completely different during the day and at night. The third picture reflects this well. And lastly, me and the lunch & dinner time staff who were all so welcoming, that it made me feel like I was a part of their big family--am forever gracious.

Summer Inspirations

Am prepping for something right now, and have been busy painting away on canvas, so much so that I "killed" lots of my wonderful brushes from Japan and now working with new ones that are not quite the same as the ones I love.  That said, am very happy and grateful to be doing what I am doing.  Because of the larger painting surfaces, am able to do full on compositions that are not found in some of my smaller bubbles painting.  Am sharing with you the inspirations behind my "bubbles--summer" piece.

There are actually two inspirations the first one is of my favourite Japanese festival, Tanabata, Star Festival on Jul 7 of each year. The annual celebration is about the legend of the fated lovers, who are separated by the earth and moon, can only meet on this day every year. I just love the romantic tradition of writing your wishes on tanzaku, a strip of paper, and hanging it on sasa no ha, bamboo branches. The photo is of the spellbinding sasa no ha arrangement I saw at the Main Building of the established Hotel Okura in 2015, which was torn down for reconstruction later that year.  I wrote a blog about it too (jodisam.com/blog/2015/07/06/tanabata-star-festival). When I painted this painting, I imagined it repeating and repeating endlessly in my mind--just like how it is shown here.

The second inspiration is of the summer wind chime, furin, installation with brilliant colourful streamers at another favourite of mine, Tokyo Midtown, also from a couple of years back. And funny, it was a year later in 2016 that I had my spring bubbles there as their 40 m window and visual merchandising display! I really believe in the "en" of it all!

JS Greeting Cards

Have always loved handwriting to friends and family, and still have a pen pal today, whom I started writing to since high school!  As convenient as emails and texts are, still think there is nothing that can beat a handwritten note.  I have done a number of postcards before, but am now making some greeting cards instead, both with my blotted line drawings and bubbles.  Am still in the process of setting up my own online store, so until then, do kindly find them at the following boutiques, of which I love--how blessed am I to have my pieces there?

Branches & Knots
3128 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC
 branchesandknots.com

Giving Gifts
4570 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
givinggifts.ca

espace d.
215 - 332 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
espacedonline.com

Stock Home Design
3060 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
stockhomedesign.com

Willow & Wallflower
2606 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, BC
willowandwallflower.ca

White Lotus Divine Healing
2607 Saint Johns Street, Port Moody, BC
whitelotusdivinehealing.ca

Little Gypsy's Fine Jewelry Gifts & Gallery
49 Queens Street, Port Moody, BC
littlegypsysfinejewelry.com

Please note, selection varies from boutique to boutique

Sakura Bubbles

It's been a long while since I wrote a post on my blog, as I have been a little busy and more active on my Instagram and Facebook accounts instead.  After coming back to Vancouver, I have been experimenting with painting my bubbles on canvases and have rather taken a liking to them.

For an upcoming project, I have started painting on large size canvases, and this one is the largest to date: 91 cm x 61 cm (36" x 24").  I call this my "massive canvas challenge" because of the amount of time and effort needed to complete a painting.  What you are seeing here took place over the course of weeks, turning the canvas this way and that.  It is still not completely finished as shown here in the last photo.  Think I'll put on the finishing touches later.

The inspiration comes from the beautiful sakura of Japan that I have been blessed to be surrounded by for the past six springs.  Not that we don't have these delicate flowers in Vancouver, but the scale is different.  For me, the lightness and sense of serenity is key.  Am going to do a seasons series, so this the the first one of four paintings.  Stay tuned for the upcoming ones!

Commissioned Pieces

This is the first blotted line drawing I've done since relocating back to Vancouver and it's a commissioned piece. I usually don't post about personally commissioned & customized work, but thought it is time to share, especially when it was requested by someone who is a major supporter of my art. I just love working with others to come up with a piece that they would have and love. I think that was why I liked fashion styling too--it is a true collaboration between the photographer, hair & makeup artist(s), model(s), the client, and me. Am an extremely fortunate person to have gathered the love and support that I have. So, thank you everyone and am looking forward to creating more commissioned pieces with others!!

This image includes all the steps to my blotted line drawings:

1. Sketching
2. Blotting
3. Painting
4. Signing--major one, if it's not good enough, will not sign and I would redo the entire process over again
5. Framing--if being sent out (with lots of love) to the paintings new home

And if it was a work that needs to be delivered digitally as well:

6. Scanning
7. Digital touching up

bubbles, Paper & Canvas

Up until relocating back to Vancouver, I have always painted watercolour on paper (like in the last two pictures above).  However, got a little inspired at the art store and remembered what a friend of mine said to me once "Paint them, your bubbles, bigger! And how about on canvas?", I went ahead bought some canvases and an absorbent ground, a medium for priming canvas for watercolour application, and started painting.  My first ever bubbles painted on canvas, is the top image of this post, the blue one, that was a nod to my hometown Vancouver, with all its rain & snow!

I had so much fun painting watercolour on canvas, as the touch, feel and way you can play with the washes/layers are completely different from paper, that I continued. Ones inspired by the sparkling stones, amethyst & garnet--am now going to a "birthstone" bubbles series (will post more about them later), and even one by a touching song, "Stars" by Mark Owen.  Seen here in photo number 4.

Side note: had been looping this song like crazy on the Internet until my CD arrived all the way from the UK, cause I wanted the deluxe version--it's one of the most beautiful album I have heard in years.  Too bad it's also the most underrated.  Please check out his official website (www.markowenofficial.com) for his brilliant songs & get a copy of this album, The Art of Doing Nothing.  I love everything about this album, the songs, the energy, the artwork, and just the title itself.

Of course because the theme of my joint art show love art is around Valentine's Day, and I have received lots of love coming back home, that I even painted bubble hearts both on canvas and paper!  Hahaha......but painting on watercolour paper will be something I will always love and go back to.  The question is, which one do you like--paper or canvas?  The first 5 images are canvas, and last 2 are paper (I used a line to separate them).