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A Very Happy & Sparkling 2017 to my friends from all over!! Added some golden splashes to mark the special occasion! Also, えん for 縁 and all comes full circle. This was what I wanted to paint/write for 2016--thanking the universe & loved ones for all the en I have and will have received.
Purple for wine and gold for sparkles?! Hahaha......
It's a day late but, Merry Christmas Everyone! Wishing you a beautiful holiday season full of joy, laughs, and sparkles!! Ain Soph Aur means “Limitless Light” in Hebrew, from the Kabbalah—Tree of Life. Transcending beliefs and backgrounds, since we are wonderful & different, May Limitless Light Be With Us All!!
I learnt the phrase a little while ago. I loved it so much that I dug up my calligraphy pen nibs from high school to hand write it out and then later incorporated it into my holiday greeting! As for the blue bubbles they were painted with Vancouver's rain/snow as the inspiration. Am lucky to have grown up in a multicultural city with people of all sorts of background, and had the same wonderful experience in my 6 1/2 years in Tokyo. Thank you and really, Happy Holidays!!
Warmest,
Jo
I haven't been updating my blog at all these days, and even with my other social accounts, there aren't many images of my new work. Why? Well, have been extremely busy working on something that required more time, energy and effort than first thought. After 6 1/2 years in Tokyo, I made the big move to relocated back to Vancouver, Canada to set up my new home studio!!
The past 6 1/2 years have been more than amazing and am forever grateful of everyone and everything that has made it possible! Words cannot express my gratitude, and this experience definitely has made me a better person--creatively and body & soul. Tokyo will always be my second home!
On my last day before my big move I visited Meiji-jingu, Meiji Shrine, one of my favourite places in Tokyo. Despite being located in the crowded area of Harajuku, it is of zen, serenity and a quick great escape from the hectic city life. Currently, the main building is going under rebuilding, and the shrine is offering a chance to donate to the cause by purchasing a copper plate will be used under it's traditional tiled roof that one can write a personalized message.
How can I miss this wonderful opportunity? And my message: May Love Energy Flow be with us all--Always, of course!! Hahaha......
With this message at heart, I am starting a new chapter! The top image is a collage of pictures I took while back in Vancouver. Though it is "home" am rediscovering it every day!! Please come join me in this exciting journey and thank you!! And watch this space, as there will be more about my new home studio soon!
Have always loved beautiful scents, the wondrous healing power of crystals, and self-care, from inside out, and outside in.
So, when my amazingly talented friend, an internationally certified esthetician & aromatherapist, Chiharu finally opened her new private salon AURA (by appointment only) in the beginning of October, I was the first one to book and receive her relaxing treatment!! Amongst the number of treatments she offers, her holistic Esalen® Massage and Mary Nelson's Original LaStone® Facial & Body Treatments, which are still rare but highly sought after in Japan. I just love the name, AURA.
Chiharu is one of the few who infuses traditional approaches with aromatherapy essential oils and crystals. And I must say, my full body massage was just what I needed to get me prepped for my next big project! What's more is that she carries a number of beauty brands and products the are salon exclusives and not easy to find. I too became a converted fan! One of my favourites is the Soluna (know as Lunasol outside of Japan) Energetic Spray that even contains alchemical gold solution along with a beautiful mixture of essential oils. It "removes tension from the air, and promotes deep, calm breathing, creates a positive and creative atmosphere for mind and spirit, and when sprayed on to your pillow, gives you a relaxed sleep". Isn't that what we all need?
Her salon is situated in the relaxing area of Hiroo in Tokyo, and just 2 minutes away from the station. Please do visit her website for more information, which is only in Japanese right now, but she is hoping to have the English version done soon:
Realized that it has been over 3 months since my last blog post. I have to admit, I feel amazingly guilty......though I have been updating my Instagram account. So, will finally share here my more recent work of superfoods & aromatic accents, lavender & hinoki--Japanese cypress. Most of these were used in my "tokyo trend" reports. Food has always been a big part of my life, especially healthy ones.
Have been very fortunate to be living in Tokyo for the past 6 1/2 years, cause Japanese produce is really fresh & delicious, plus some (sometimes imported) superfoods, have been having super healthy meals!
My first "tokyo trend" report for the Bulletin magazine was for their Jun 2014 issue. Fast forward to Oct 2016, "tokyo trend" will be taking a break. I am known to be a hermit at times, but this absence has nothing to do with that. Am working on something rather sudden & major right now, and will be announcing it once it is ready.
The above are my Oct 2016 and Jul 2016 reports: no-romantic sheers and backpack & midi skirt. It's been a lot fun writing, illustrating for the Bulletin, focusing on what's new & popular in Tokyo and reporting back to Canada. I hope you all had enjoy reading the reports as much as I have enjoyed creating them!! Thank you!!
BARAKA x JS for Moon Beauty featured in BARAKA Bi-monthly Digital Magazine
Here's a first look at the special column written about how to maximize our beauty routines with the moon's cycle. Written by internationally renowned and distinguished astrologist, Stella Kaoruko, regarding the powers and effects of each month's New and Full Moons. Available exclusively to BARAKA members. My "the stars" and the new "the moons" series are used in this digital magazine, which am so humbled to be a part of.
baraka-style.com
Knowing how much I love coffees and homemade desserts, a friend recommended me to visit a coffee cafe & roaster with her located in the Eifukucho area (the closest station being Nishi-Eifuku) of the Keio Inokashira line. Eifukucho is actually a buzzing up and coming food center, packed with lots of excellent little places for foodies all over Tokyo.
My first visit to Jalk Coffee (pronounced Yalk Coffee) was a little over a month ago. At the time just as they do every day, the cafe's owners, a very nice husband and wife team, and their staff were quietly hand dripping coffees, and explaining in detail about each of their own roasted coffee blends and lovely cakes. Another plus, is the prices are very reasonable. For example, a hand dripped coffee is 500 yen a cup, but the a refill is only an extra 200 yen, and you can choose a different blend. We didn't get to try their seasonal coffee jelly. I know it might sound suspicious, but trust me, coffee jelly is a common and very delicious dessert here in Japan. So, it was decided that we'll have to go back again before the summer is over.
Just this week, we made our way back to Jalk Coffee for their handcrafted coffee jelly with ice cream--I am not joking when I said handcrafted. The owner made it with a special coffee blend, and lovingly scooped the jelly from pan into the glass bowl, as with the ice cream, which was specifically chosen for its perfect balance of richness and sweetness. However, upon hearing that their pudding (flan) was also limited, we ordered that too!
The atmosphere, the lighting, and the quality of service, food & drinks, are all that you want for a small, stylish, yet welcoming cafe. It's the perfect place to have a conversation with a friend, or to daydream by yourself--over a cup of great coffee of course! I made it a point to share a picture of their coffee cup, because the cups are one of their signatures. Heard from the owners that they like porcelain Danish drink ware, especially from Royal Copenhagen. During my first visit, there was an exhibition on at that time, and I was honestly jealous of the artist who got to show his works there. I actually said that to the owner. Am sure these two visits would not be my last!!
Please visit them if you ever have the chance, it's all worth it for making a trip out to Eifukucho. And save room for desserts, even you don't have a sweet tooth!
www.jalkcoffee.com
I grew up having lots of Hong Kong style baked goods, fresh out of the oven. Have always loved bread more than noodles, pasta, and rice. When I was visiting home back in spring, I took lots of pictures of the real thing, so that I can paint my own. Yes, these goodies are what I miss terribly when am in Tokyo.
Above is my rendition of the flaky yet smooth egg tarts, soft and well-balanced spongecake, and the oh-so-sweet and gooey--in a good way, coconut/cocktail bun. Below, the famous pineapple bun that never contained any pineapple and got its name only from looking like one, and the sweet and savory BBQ pork bun.
If you ever get a chance to try any one of these, be sure to have it with a cup of strong and rich Hong Kong style coffee or milk tea!!
Have been thinking of doing this for quite sometime, so right after my show, I started painting some of my favourite and must-haves for skincare & cosmetic products, and is what am calling the "js essentials" series.
The first is one that I posted about before, cause I really do love it! It's BARAKA's Lotus Water Mist. Every time after I wash my face or finishing taking a bath/shower, I immediately spray the Lotus Water Mist on my face. Its soft scent and moisturizing effect is heavenly. I feel like am surrounded by a mist of gentle, positive, nurturing energy. And here is the link for the full details:
jodisam.com/blog/2016/01/04/energy/
The second painting is of my long time favourite, and probably most expensive item in my makeup bag: Shiseido Cle du Peau Beaute's Correcteur Visage Concealer. As many of my friends know, I have the worst black circles ever--I had them since was 12 or so. Tried many skincare products over the years to the point that I just gave up and started covering them. And of all the products I have used, by far, Cle du Peau's concealer works best for my skin and provides the most natural and heavy-duty coverage that I need. Expensive, yes, but it lasts forever. Two sticks last me an entire year!! Bye-bye eye circles, well at least when I have makeup on!! Hahaha......
The third one of my js essentials series is something that I was given a sample of earlier and absolutely fell in love with. It's the Bioeffect's EGF Serum. Made in Iceland, and is full of botanical goodness contains cellular activators without any unwanted additives--just 7 ingredients.
Costly it is, but wonderful too! For me, it's only takes 2 drops of the serum at night after cleansing, and it really makes your skin feel subtle, moisturized, and better looking the following day!! The craziest thing was that I found out it cost more in Canada to purchase this than in Japan, which the opposite usually is true!! Am now debating when to get the full-size product, since I really do like it! And a special thank you to the person who introduced me to this amazing product!!
I've posted and even did a PechaKucha presentation about how I create my blotted line drawings (jodisam.com/blog/2014/04/07/blotted-line-drawing-aries/ and jodisam.com/blog/pechakucha-from-daydreams-to-ink-and-pixels/). Thought that it would be interesting to share with you some of the supplies I use for my works, cause am a rather particular & habitual person and insist on using certain items. The following are an essential part of my so-called "art kit".
Every year when I visit home, I always bring back a couple of things with me. The first is Clearprint's Design Vellum that is made of 100% cotton fiber. I know that there are many types of tracing paper available here in Japan, but this is the only one I have used for my blotted line creations. I find Clearprint's Design Vellum clear and thick enough for tracing and blotting, especially because it is made of cotton fiber. Just love natural materials.
The second is tape--low tack masking tape, or painter's tape. I used 3M Scotch-Blue Painter's Tape for Delicate Surfaces for a number of years until this February when I discovered Frogtape Delicate Surface Painter's Tape! It was only when my art supply store ran out of the 3M one I went to Home Depot store to buy it, and when I was speaking with a staff there that he recommended Frogtape to me. I must use low tack tape to secure my tracing/blotting paper and watercolour paper to a board in order for me to blot my illustrations with ease and be able to completely remove the tape after the blotting is finished and inked dried. Even with the most low tack tape, the watercolour paper can still sometimes rip when the tape is being removed. But I have to say that with Frogtape, such damages happen less.
For pen nibs, I mainly use Speedball Hunt Globe Bowl Pointed 513EF (for regular lines) and Zebra Mapping No. 2586 (for fine lines). I have a number of nibs, but somehow always reach for these two. For ink, it has to be Platinum Carbon Ink in Black. I swear by this waterproof, lightfast, pigment-based carbon ink! I get the darkest, waterproof lines from it, and one bottle lasts forever.
In terms of paper, I don't use top-of-the-line watercolour paper, though I would love to, simply because of the unpredictability of blotting. I don't know how many sheets of paper I have thrown out because of too much ink and other silly mistakes that comes with this method of illustrating. I like a true white, somewhat textured, grained paper, and of what is available in Japan, I choose to use Canson Montval Watercolour Paper that is cold pressed, 100% cellulose, and of good weight (300g). It does have its limitations where I cannot do too many washes with it, but considering the type of painting I do, it currently fits my needs best.
For watercolours, I just tube paints from a number of makers: Schmincke Horadam (my favourite, though most expensive), Maimeri MaimeriBlu, Winsor & Newton, Holbein, and so on. And lastly, I use traditional Japanese & Chinese brushes, not the typical western watercolour ones. They are of a bamboo body, with natural fiber hairs. This makes them light, and enables them to pick up and distribute colours beautifully. They help me bring my work to life. I think it's also because they were the first brushes I ever used when I was a child, and I never really gotten away from them......
Well, this is a pretty long and extensive list. I hope it gives you more insight into with what I create my illustrations with, since most of the work you see here are digital images of the actual paintings. Am old school--I love love love things that are tangible and have depth, texture, look & feel to them. Below is the finished painted that has been scanned and ready for my "tokyo trend" report for Jun 2016!
It was been a great month-long show. And thanks to everyone, of dreams, time & space opened and closed successfully. Over the past weeks, I've seen some old friends, made some new ones, had lots of great coffee & food, received many warm messages & surprises, and most of all, I got to share my happiness and Lala's world with everyone!!
The theme was happiness & time that is spent, received, and found at a cafe, with a touch of "happy" red here and there. It truly was a dream come true. And special nod to Jalk Coffee, because without everybody there, it would have been impossible. Words can't express my gratitude, so thank you thank you thank you!!
The first week of of dreams, time & space passed by fast. It's Golden Week (spring) holiday here in Japan, so I was able to meet many friends over the course of just a few days, while enjoying so delicious café au lait and cakes--especially, the special strawberry custard one!
The best thing about showing at Jalk Coffee, besides the wonderful coffee and food, is the natural lighting their big windows provides. The light "lights" up my artworks unlike anything else. It really is every illustrator's dream to show in a space like this!
Decided to wear red and white to the first day of my show, both of which are not my usual colours when it comes to clothes, though they do play a huge part in this particular exhibition. I used touches of red in most paintings to go with the white space, which is my so called "signature touch". Just realized that I matched the cake too! Hahaha......
Well, it's just the beginning of May, so am looking forward to seeing more friends and making some new ones in the upcoming weeks!
BARAKA x JS for BARAKA Bi-monthly Digital Magazine
This is very exciting upcoming project. It's humbling to have the amazing opportunity to collaborate with BARAKA, a cosmetics life-style brand that was inspired by the Beauty of the Queens. The brand does not only focus of "outer beauty" but the entire well-being of its clientele. The ingredients used in its products such as lotus, frankincense, and Dead Sea salts were and still are prized for their effectiveness in nourishing the skin and soul.
Another interesting aspect of the BARAKA is its incorporation of what is called the "Moon Beauty Method". The Moon, it has amazing power that is beyond human grasp. We don't usually think about New Moons and Full Moons, but these events can actually bring along dramatic changes to our lives and can effect our outlook, feelings, and body conditions, of course am talking from more of a spiritual healing stand point. The "Moon Beauty Method" involves making the moon cycle a part of our regular beauty routine.
To help us understand this better BARAKA will start its Bi-monthly Digital Magazine soon with special messages written by internationally renowned and distinguished astrologist, Stella Kaoruko, regarding the powers and effects of each month's New and Full Moons, available exclusively to its members. My "the stars" and the new "the moons" series will be featured in this digital magazine. The only thing is that it is available on in Japanese at the moment, but plans are underway for availability in other languages.
Stella Kaoruko's Official Website:
stella-club.com
It is always an honour and my great luck to work with people and brands I love and believe in. I actually posted about BARAKA before being involved in this project, so please to take a look at the post if you haven't already:
jodisam.com/blog/2016/01/04/energy/
My sincerest thank you to everyone who has supported me all this time and I look forward to many more destined collaborations--the Moon will lead the way!!
It's been in the works for quite some time now, and finally, it's ready! Well, Lala definitely is! I am happy to announce that I will be having my third, and probably last show in Tokyo for the next bit.
The paintings to be featured in this time will reflect the atmosphere, feeling, and things that inspire me to daydream. Lala and My Little Book of Happiness were dreamt up in a cafe. So, I cannot be happier to be showing at Jalk Coffee, a place that gives me a sense of serenity, happiness, and being at home--especially when am having their amazing café au lait made with their in-house roasted beans, warm fluffy toasts, and heavenly handmade desserts!
Along with a number of paintings of Lala (in her signature black turtleneck unlike my previous shows--fans of My Little Book of Happiness will definitely be in for a treat), will also paint some of things that I have personally seen and experience at Jalk Coffee.
Please come join us for:
of dreams, time & space
Sun May 1 - Sun May 29 2016
Jalk Coffee
Ando Building 1F
4-19-4 Eifuku, Suginami-ku
Tokyo
10 AM - 7 PM, Closed Mondays
jalkcoffee.com
ヤルクコーヒー
東京都杉並区永福4-19-4
安藤ビル1F
***I will personally be there on all Sundays in May from around 12 PM to 4:30 PM.
Since the exhibition is really about time spent in cafes, it is highly recommended that visitors of the show, would enjoy viewing the paintings while soaking up the atmosphere over a cup of amazing Jalk Coffee or tea (the toasts and cakes are lovely too!).
And please kindly message me in advance if you would like to have a cup of coffee with me there. Of course, on a different day other than Sundays is possible as well.
Thank you very much and am looking forward to seeing everyone there soon!***
Started painting my bubbles only cause someone I know asked me about a possible collaboration, but when things didn't work out, I continued to paint them anyways, since painting made me happy. I even painted them when I had other deadlines to meet--am an idiot!
And where did my bubbles go? Who would have thought that in less than a year's time, they would end up at one of my favourite spots, Tokyo Midtown of all places!! And as their 40 m long spring campaign window display!!
From my humble A3 painting to an amazing 40 m!! I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this massive project, cause it is crazy as it is amazing!! Am so, so grateful!! From now until Thu Apr 21--please go see it if you have the time at the B1 floor area that connects Odeo & Hibya lines to Tokyo Midtown.
Regarding the work-in-progress pictures, the A3 painting itself was a challenge for much because I usually painting this series on paper 1/4 of that size. The original painting that was used for the proposal is on the right hand side corner of the last picture. Just painting on the A3 size paper took me hours, close to 20 of just bubbles. Think have became a bubble myself!! Hahaha......