Monday, July 31, 2023 at 12:15PM I was part of 2023 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition. My graphite drawing "Cellini" was shown right next to Brian Williams' graphite drawing. It was nice to be able to participate in this show after a 6 years break. I saw a lot of friends at the opening.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 10:21AM 
Last week I had a chance to show 3 of my drawings in a group show The Mystery of Human Body at the Artglorieux Gallery in GINZASIX, Tokyo. This was the second time showing those 3 pieces in the same gallery, but this time one of them "Azured Memory" was sold thanks to the hard work of Gallery Sumire. I wish I could have seen the show in person. If I have another chance to show my work like this in Japan, I will do my best to make it there for the opening.
art show, human body, mystery in art exhibit Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 02:58PM I finished Vanitas 35 subtitled "Cellini". This was an interesting technical challenge with so many different textures: translucent black blouse with frills, shiny metallic buttons, brocade bodice and the weathered concrete wall background. Initially I was thinking about mixed media drawing with watercolor splash, then I abandoned that idea. This piece does not need anything else.
Friday, March 17, 2023 at 05:14PM I was selected as one of the 20 finalists for the Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition 2023. They said they had received 3075 entries, so the chance of being a finalist was pretty slim like below 1/150. When I look at the names of the other finalists, it is a list of the nation's top portrait artists I have always admired and respected. I feel so honored and humbled. I will be going to Washington DC for the conference and attend the awards ceremony in May.
Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 07:38PM A month I go I started working on this new Vanitas drawing tentatively called "Cellini" after the plaster cast head my model Laelia is holding made by Benvenuto Cellini. Today I pretty much finished the figure and I am ready to work on the background next. It's going to be another heavily rendered and highly textured background based on a photograph I took last year in Tokyo.
