“Here is your gift post card. This is not a photograph, this is a painting,” was the way nearly every conversation started today at my mini-booth in the Creators Spiral.
In Japanese, the word for painting 絵 e (pronounced ay) is a homophone with the onomatopoeic expression of astonishment in Japanese え e！or え e？So thanks to the many lovely visitors who shared time and conversation with me, I was treated to the linguistic fun of
Me: 絵 e (painting)
Visitor: え e！or え e？(astonishment)
Of my pieces, Tommy (the jewel beetle, タマムシ tamamushi) was very popular. This was delightful because I used over 40 reference photos and videos, studied his anatomy – did you know that insects have femurs, too?! and consulted with my biologist colleague to attempt to recreate the experience of meeting Tommy that summer day with my arms full of groceries.
Spending time with Steven Kotler in his The Devil’s Dictionary book club and spending time in nature with my biologist colleague who lovingly photographs mammals and arthropods with the same care and devotion have had a profound impact on how I am seeing and experiencing the world. By some wonderful magic it’s reaching the viewers through the artwork.
The Shakuhachi Maker Performs was even more well-received than I had dared hope. Just as Steve Huston has promised throughout the time I’ve had the joy of learning from him, by following his recommendations the viewers filled in their own stories.
Being among the designers at the Creators Spiral 2022 is a fascinating and wonderful experience. They have this incredible brilliance of combining beauty with function and can shape the world around them into what they would like it to be, often in just a few moments. There are so many talented exhibitors with interesting creations, I feel honored to be sharing the space with them.
The Creators Spiral 2022 will be at the Nara Prefectural Convention Center for one more day. I hope to see you there!
English
6 comments on ““These are not photos…”
Looks like a wonderful time. Great work TeResA!
Thank you so much for your role in helping me to play full out for this, Kyle!
So proud of you and your work Teresa! It has been a pleasure learning alongside if you in Steve’s program.
Your friend,
— Gina
Gina! Thank you. It has been a great joy to learn alongside you in Steve’s program, too!
Wow! I SO wish we could be there. Thank you for sending the link. Now we are there in spirit.
Jeanne, you’d love it! The Nara Prefectural Convention Center is beautiful, and everyone is just as kind and wonderful as you remember.