YAJIRO KOKESHI DOLL & STRIPED KIMONO

I am currently painting a series of portraits inspired by my recent journey to Japan, where I discovered Kokeshi dolls in an antique store in Osaka. These charming wooden figures, with their expressive faces and minimalist forms, sparked my curiosity about their deeper meaning. More than just cute souvenirs, Kokeshi dolls embody centuries-old Japanese woodcraft traditions, originating during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE). Each doll, distinguished by its lack of arms and legs and vivid hand-painted patterns, reflects the unique style of its maker and the prefecture from which it hails.

With this collection, I seek to breathe new life into the Kokeshi tradition by giving each doll a highly expressive face while honouring their iconic minimalist design. My goal is to pay homage to the cultural heritage and artistry of these dolls, while offering a contemporary and emotive interpretation of each individual subject.

This doll is from Yajiro Onsen (Shiroishi) is in southern Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan, bordered by Fukushima Prefecture to the south. The southern peak of Mount Zaō is within the city borders.

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After twenty-five years in graphic design, I’ve embarked on a new creative journey as a painter, embracing the freedom, self-expression, and boundless possibilities of art.

Based in the laid-back paradise of the Gold Coast, I draw inspiration from the endless beaches, tropical rainforests, and the rolling countryside - straw yellow to the west and kelly green to the south. On describing my work I deliver on one hand a lively fusion of graphic, bold, and energetic compositions, tropical and joyful themes, vivid, saturated colours, positive, uplifting visual narratives and cultural heritage and stimuli. On the other hand, my abstract pieces are full of textures, monochrome palettes and bold, aggressive brushwork.

Whilst drawing on my cultural heritage, I love exploring unique influences to create art that feels both personal and universal. My artistic lineage traces back to ancestors who were a small group of Delft pottery painters in northern France, inspiring me to blend the classic Delft blue-and-white style with graphic text in French, creating a fresh, loud and contemporary twist.

Our family are great travellers and the influence of the countries we visit are particularly important in my work. After a recent trip to Japan their stylized arts, crafts and minimal design aesthetics and the customs of their primary religion, Shintoism, plus their deep cultural roots have played a big part in my latest collection.

My training in graphic design shapes my artistic approach, establishing clarity and purpose in every piece I create. I have a distinctive creative attitude where I recycle and repurpose pre-loved canvases, allowing glimpses of texture and colours to become a part of the new artwork. I also like to utilise mis-tinted paints to add unexpected colour variations.

My artworks have been showcased and sold through private sales, online galleries, commissioned pieces and galleries: The Artists Hub Gallery (Surfers Paradise), Stevens Street Gallery (Yandina) and GEM Emporium (Pacific Fair).

Each piece is crafted passionately, designed to evoke joy and create lasting memories for generations to come.