Kiriko Gallery
Art Studio
KIRIKO’S STUDIO
To purchase any of these original paintings, please go to the Contact page of the Hot Springs Website.
Japanese artist: Kiriko
Kiriko was born in the Japanese hot springs resort of Kurokawa Onsen (Hot Springs) on the southern island of Kyushu. She graduated from the Musashino Institute of Art in Tokyo and has studied with Hiroshi Inoue and Akiyo Ueda since. She specializes in the medium of Nihonga, translated as “traditional Japanese painting.” One of the main features of Nihonga is the use of powdered, organic mineral pigments which Kiriko grinds herself. Kiriko is now a resident of Hot Springs Island.
Mt Baker and Waves
I have always wanted to paint the ripples of the ocean and I was finally lucky enough to have several continuous days of calm weather and smooth seas. The waves and their junior ripples change almost instantaneously and the constantly moving colors are nebulous and almost infinite. I had hoped to express the duality of the unceasing motion of the ocean combined with the majestic calm of that magnificent mountain known as Mt. Baker. My final image was resolved one day when I was on a ferry and saw the mountain in the background and the never-ending sea to the fore.
Size: 53cm x 45.5cm (unframed)
Price: $2,500.00
Pier
Living on an island, one becomes more aware of transportation, of boats, and the how we link to other places. As such, piers are connecters, they join us and link us. They are like arms reaching out to other places. Although Hot Springs Island is studded with many attractive piers and viewpoints and breath-taking scenery, this particular view was probably my favorite since it combined the familiar and the exotic. By this, I mean it was not far from my house but, to a person not long from Japan, it still seemed exotic to me. Looking at this scene, I made the decision to continue painting for the rest of my life.
Size: 53cm x 45.5cm (unframed)
Price: $2,500.00
Hot Springs
This is one of the three hot springs on Hot Springs Island and my personal favorite. As you soak in the serene water, you can feel almost part of the ocean. The rising steam and the sound of the waves make this a sublime place.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $2500.00 (framed)
Hot Springs at Sunset
Hot Springs at Sunset
Sitting in this hot springs at sunset is pure happiness. The spectacular close of the day reminds us of nature’s artistry and the colors warm our eyes just as the water warms our bodies and our souls. As the reds and oranges fade in the west, they are the marquee heralding the night to come.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $2000.00 (framed)
Hot Springs at Sunset Version 2
As everyone knows, one of the joys of sunsets is their spectacular variety. No two are the same, which I have tried to convey in these two paintings. Perhaps the urge will strike me to paint more and more and more. This scene has everything: sky, woods, mountains, ocean, and hot springs. What more could one want?
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $2000.00 (framed)
Irises and Gold Reflection
The irises are lined up, some taller, some shorter, as if in a parade with the abstract patterns of golden light reflecting off the pond green with fecundity. The gold in this painting is actual gold leaf, fitting - I hope - for my largest work to date.
Size: 56cm x 137cm (unframed)
Price: $3,200.00 - Sold
Shadow & Light
One day as I was walking by a lake it became very clear to me that nature is as valuable as any jewel or treasure created by humankind. The interplay between light and shadow caught my eye immediately and I felt compelled to paint this magical scene.
Size: 53cm x 45.5cm (unframed)
Price: $1500.00 (framed)
Joseph's Coat
The high-fashion color and the eye-catching design have always impressed me about the Joseph's coat - also called an Amaranth - and which led me to do this painting. It's as if the Joseph's coat has been purposely dressed in the three primary colors as it readies for the autumn, its season in time as well as in color. The later in the fall that it gets, the brighter its colors, providing us with one last glimpse of vivaciousness before winter sets in, a mood I hoped to get across in this work.
Size: 27.3cm x 24.2cm
Price: $390.00 (framed)
The Setting Sun
The day is often at its most beautiful as the sunset nears its finish. This painting of a scene from my studio window was intended to show the glow of the sun off the water and the golden nature of the light. The interweaving patterns of the day change from one day to the next. The colors of this piece are intended to show nature's evolving hues and by looking at this painting from different angles, the work itself also changes.
Size: 45.5cm x 38cm
Price: Sold
Reflected Moon and Irises
In traditional Japanese painting, the style known as Nihonga, there are four themes that are considered traditional. Summed up by the word, kachofugetsu, these themes are all natural and consist of flowers, birds, scenery, and the moon. This painting, Reflected Moon and Irises, works with two (flowers and the moon) and possibly a third (scenery). Since the moon often looks truly golden, I have used actual gold leaf to depict its reflection on the water behind the swaying irises.
Size: 71.5cm x 52cm
Price: $2300.00 (unframed)
Canadian Geese
During my time on the west coast, I have often seen Canadian geese families swim by, lined up in orderly fashion, one parent in front and one in the rear. Once I even saw the babies under attack by eagles but the youngsters never panicked nor disobeyed their parents' commands. The result was an empty-taloned eagle and an intact family. This painting depicts youngsters nearing adulthood and preparing to embark, like all of us, on the adventures of an independent life.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $1500.00 (framed)
Crimson Forest
This is my impression of the sky burning up in late afternoon framed by silhouettes of trees just prior to dusk. My goal was to capture the energy of the light and the almost zealous quality of its colors.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $1500.00 (framed)
Path of the Koi
This painting features two ornamental fish known as 'Koi', swimming under the petals of cherry blossoms. In Japan, the word 'koi' has two different meanings. One is the the fish, shown here in the painting, and the other means 'love'. Both meanings can be found here, both in the words, and in the picture.
Size: 44.5cm x 37.0cm
Price: $1500.00 (unframed)
Intimation of Snow
I took a picture of this scenery during my trip to the Rocky Mountains. I was impressed by the powerful changes in weather that can be viewed from the bottom of the mountain, and have tried to express through that in this painting.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: $1500.00 (framed)
