Akane's ART

2012 Zodiac Illustration Series

2012-01-02T23:49:00.024-05:00

Happy new 2012, everyone:) Hope you enjoyed your holidays and ready to start your fresh 2012! I had a good Japanese New Year's food (unfortunately not Osechi but soba and ozoni!) so I am so ready!
I'm aiming to produce many many many paintings and designs this year;)

My Zodiac Illustration Series are finally all set!
All done by Mixed Media 8"x10"on my original canvas board. Hope you like your sign!

２０１２年、あけましておめでとうございます。楽しいお正月を迎え、新しい一年のスタートをきりました。NYでお正月を迎えた私は、残念ながらおせち料理は今年も食べれず、年越しそばとお雑煮を作って食べました。それでも日本の食材が手に入りにくいNYで生活する私にとっては、かなりの幸せです！
今年は、できるかぎりたくさんの絵を描き、たくさんデザインをしていきたいと思います。そして、たくさんの人に見ていただけるように頑張りたいと思います。

去年から進めていた、星座のイラストレーションシリーズがやっと完成しました。すべて8 inch x 11 inch、オリジナルのキャンバスボードにミックスメデアで描いております。気に入っていただけたら嬉しいです！

Happy Holidays♪

2011-12-24T00:56:00.003-05:00

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and A Happy 2012 to all!!

8"x10" Mixed Media

Salome

2011-11-29T08:42:00.005-05:00

Long time no post! Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving:)

Here is my new illustration that I did for "Salome".

Acrylic on canvas board, 12"x16"

And this is another piece for "Salome" that I did in school few years ago.

Pastel and Digital

Which one do you like better?

Fall Walking

2011-10-19T01:11:00.032-04:00

"Fall Walking"

Original Illustration in Digital

The most recent Illustration project that I did, "Fall Walking", was for Traditional Home Magazine.

On October 5th, there was a Holiday House Kick-off party. The Holiday House is the designer table top showhouse in the Upper East side. That was a gorgeous gorgeous house and event! ! I'm really happy to be involved this project! My illustration was used for Benjamin Moore's Paint-by-Number project with the new color line called "Color Story". I painted on the wall in the main room of the Holiday House.It was actually the room from the Sex and the City movie , Carrie and Big's new room that they were going to live in together! As a big fan of the Sex And The City, I was honored to paint my illustration on the wall :) I started painting from 9:30 AM and finished at 8PM. It was the largest painting I did ever and in the shortest time that I painted a mural!

Started painting at 10am!

40 colors of paint from Benjamin Moore!

4pm...

My Assistant, Pete.

Me painting...

Introducing the show by Publisher Beth Brenner

Maurice DuBois from CBS 2 News, Me, and Holiday House founder Iris Dankner

Photo from Traditional Home Magazine

Maurice DuBois participating in the paint-by-number project

Photo from Traditional Home Magazine

Finally Done! 8pm

Mural Painting "Fall Walking" 4'x7'

Japanese KAWAII Character Design Class

2011-10-09T02:39:00.008-04:00

My "Japanese Kawaii Character Design Workshop" is starting from October 14th at Resobox in Long Island City. It is going to be on every Friday from 5:30 to 6:45.

In this class, we will create original Kawaii(cute in Japanese) character in watercolor and color pencil. Of course everyone has own esthetic of what is Kawaii is, so style is very open. By creating original character, you will practice drawing and designing, discover your own voice, and open up your creativity! All ages welcome and free for first class! Please Join the class if you are interested. Hope to see you there:)

Resobox
41-26 27th Street, Long Island City

for sign up and more details
http://resobox.com/resobox_charactordesign.html

Zodiac Illustration, work in progress

2011-09-15T01:07:00.005-04:00

I am finally being able to recreate my zodiac illustration series. The idea has been sleeping in my sketch book for long long long time. (Although I still have so many idea to paint... probably too many! ) I'm glad that I could finally manage my time to recreate this series. From the right, Leo, Scorpion, Libra and Cancer.

Eight more paintings to go! Can't wait to finish them up!

Silky Floral

2011-07-30T19:43:00.003-04:00

Mixed Media, 12"x 24"

Violet Dress

2011-07-30T19:38:00.001-04:00

Mixed Media, 12"x24"

Hawaiian Pink

2011-07-30T19:28:00.003-04:00

Mixed Media, 12"x24"

It's a Hawaiian Summer Dress from 70's!

Art exhibition "Alteration" at Café Grumpy Chelsea

2011-06-03T08:35:00.006-04:00

I am having an art exhibition "Alteration" at Café Grumpy Chelsea from June 1st to the 31st.
The opening reception is Friday, June 3rd at 6PM to 8PM.

This the second "Alteration" exhibition and I will be showing new pieces.

"Alteration" is the portrait series of people in their style that I have been doing. I believe that there is a certain power in the clothing. Clothing helps you to be the "you" that you want to be, or sometimes to

be even more yourself. The clothing that people chose to wear has a meaning and it tells our personality and character. I wanted to depict their personal style and character which has been a long time inspiration.

Stop by the opening reception if you can!

Hope to see you there!
Thank you!!

My works: http://akaneogura.com/

Café Grumpy Chelsea
http://www.cafegrumpy.com/
224 West 20th Street
(between 7th and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
tel: 212.255.5511

Monday-Friday 7am-8pm
Saturday-Sunday 8am-8pm

Jackson County High School in Tennessee

2011-04-18T10:19:00.012-04:00

On April 14th, I and my boyfriend, Pete Diedrich, also an artist, were invited to the Jackson County High School in Tennessee. It was for the class for special education to do the portraiture of the student. I don't know how much they absorb how to do the portrait by my demo but I was happy to share the time and art with them. It was great to actually see their smile by doing a portrait.

"Kids with special needs aren't weird or odd. They only want what everyone wants... to be accepted. To be happy. " said Wendy Baker, the teacher of the class.

I appreciate that all the student has own unique way to express themselves:) It was pure and honest.

"My own Theme"

2011-04-05T02:19:00.003-04:00

４月１日から１０日まで、神楽坂パルスギャラリーで"My own Theme"というグループ展に参加しています。もしよかったら覗いてみてください。残念ながら、私はニューヨークにいて会場に行く事が出来ないので、どんな様子だったか聞かせていただけると嬉しいです。

I have a painting in the group show called "My own Theme" at Kagurazaka Pulse Gallery, Tokyo on April 1st to 10th. Please visit if you are around Tokyo! That will be nice if you could tell me how is the show like since I'm in New York and not be able to visit the show. I wish I could go beck to Japan!

神楽坂　パルスギャラリー

東京都新宿区神楽坂２−２１

Kagurazaka Pulse Gallery

2-21 Kagurazaka Shinjyuku, Tokyo

tel: 03-3260-1349

11AM-7PM

Sun 11AM-5PM

Good Coffee meets Art

2011-04-01T01:38:00.014-04:00

I want to thank for all the people who came to my show, the models who gave me great inspirations and the Cafe Grumpy Park Slope! I'm glad that I got many good comments for the paintings. I personally love the time that you can have a cup of tasty coffee (very important)and enjoy artwork at the same time. Hope you all enjoyed that time!

ショーに来てくださった皆さん、よいインスピレーションを下さったモデルの方々、そして今回場所を貸していただいたCafe Grumpy Park Slopeの方々、どうもありがとうございました。たくさんの人からコメントをいただき、とても嬉しかったです。個人的に、おいしい珈琲を飲みながら、アートを楽しむ時間がとても好きなので、そんな一時を味わっていただけたのならば、とても幸いです。

for more paintings

http://www.akaneogura.com/fineart.html

"Alteration"

2011-03-01T23:47:00.010-05:00

Hello everyone.

I am having an art show called "Alteration" at Cafe Grumpy Park Slope from March 1st to the 31st.

This is actually my first solo show in New York:)

"Alteration" is the portrait series of people in their style that I have been doing.

I believe that there is a certain power in the clothing. Clothing helps you to be the "you" that you want to be, or sometimes to be even more yourself. The clothing that people chose to wear has a meaning and it tells our personality and character. I wanted to depict their personal style and character which has been a long time inspiration.

Stop by the show and enjoy their great coffee!

Cafe Grumpy Park Slope

http://www.cafegrumpy.com/

383 7th Avenue (Between 11th and 12th St.)

Brooklyn NY 11215

Tel:718-499-4404

Monday- Thursday 7am-7:30pm

Friday 7am-8pm

Saturday 8am-8pm

Sunday 8am-7:30pm

Snowing, Snowing, Snowing

2011-01-12T23:59:00.005-05:00

As I looking at snow from last night from my window, I realized the season is giving me a lot of inspiration since I moved to New York. Six years of almost no season change in California made big appreciation for season. Even I'm from the country where has four seasons like NY. The colour of leaves, smells, and seasonal clothing. So much fun !!

I know it is too late to say Happy Holidays, but here is my holiday card that I did for 2010. Can't wait to create a new one for 2011!

Ms. Persimmon

2010-11-23T01:18:00.004-05:00

The Portrait of Ms. Persimmon

Mixed Media 10"x 19"

Book Cover

2010-10-27T01:31:00.007-04:00

9"x 14"/Mixed Media

A book cover that I did for one of my favorite book "The Elegance of the Hedgehog". Love this book! I'm not intelligence like the girl from this book, Paloma, but I feel connection with her. I guess my childhood was similar to her life.Even my mom told me that too.(My mom was reading this book in French at the same time in Japan. What a coincidence!!) And the Japanese gentle man Kakuro. He is so cool! Hope I illustrated the mood of the book well.

Quick Painting

2010-10-17T23:58:00.007-04:00

A quick painting that I did the other day.

Mr. Rabbit at Whole Foods/ Mixed Media

A great artist gives me encouragement.

2010-10-01T21:26:00.006-04:00

I went to Bil Donovan's lecture at Society of Illustrator. It was about the new book he wrote, called "Advanced Fashion Drawing". I was truly truly impressed by his lecture. He talked about some of the captures of the book and his passion for works. Everything that I was thinking and wondering for my art were actually in his talking. More importantly, I was really happy to actually know the presence of someone who could share the same perspective and passion of the illustration. That is something I was missing. It was very encouraging to myself and made me so happy for my decision of moving to New York.

Tonight I felt so deeply that I needed to come to New York. I was meant to come to New York.

http://bildonovan.com/

Your Glass Slippers?

2010-09-30T00:45:00.008-04:00

Here is the new illustration.

I got an idea of this advertising illustration from my personal experience of having such a difficult time to find the shoes for my tiny feet. In this modern days, you are the one who need to get out and look for your glass slippers. There is no one who would knock on your door and bring you the perfect pair. This is the reality. But if you find your perfect pair, you can easily go up the stairs and go to the castle!

Redoing some pieces

2010-09-07T00:23:00.007-04:00

It is actually surprising to see how many illustrations and paintings I've done at school...

As I seeing all the stuff that I've done,

some of them arestill my favorite, some of them went to garbage, some of them needs to redo!

The stuff that I need to redo, some of the pieces are done by the style or medium that I was just trying and figuring out what I really like. I remember that struggling times...

And now I know what I really like so I tried redoing some of the Illustrations.

Hopefully, these new version make my portfolio to look more constant.

Flower Children, 2010 version / Mixed Media Frida, 2010 version / Mixed Media

Big Apple, Big Change

2010-09-04T03:01:00.012-04:00

So I moved to New York from San Francisco. It has been two month already... time flies so fast!

Finding a new apartment, getting rid of my furniture in SF and getting new furniture in NY, sending and receiving tones of boxes, and fling with a lots of baggage,settling down my new place, oh, man, that was big moving... Saying good-bye to San Francisco where I had spent my life for five years and having a distance to my good friends were sad but I'm happy that I got a chance to move another city. Especially, City like New York! This is the one of the city I wanted to live once in my life.

Living in New York reminds me my life in Tokyo, the weather, crowd, subway, tones of restaurants and bars till the morning and the colour of the sky. Although NY has more various people and culture from different countries from all over the world which make me exited. It is even interesting to me to actually live and see the differences between the people in Southern California, Bay Area, and New York. I still don't know where I fit, but I appreciate the own charm from each city.

Graduation

2010-06-02T02:09:00.005-04:00

I finally graduated!

That was 6 years ago, I quit my costume design job and came to United States. At the time, I never thought I could graduate American University. Studying at University with a lack of language wasn't easy to me. It would be 10 times easier if I study in my native language. But I completed. This experience made my self stronger and I'm sure I got confidence to myself. And I am very happy that I studied at Academy. I thank for all the teacher that I met, all the classmates that I studied with, all my friends who has been with me, my boyfriend who always give me a balance, and my family who support me a lot, a lot, a lot. I couldn't have done without everyone.

Portraiture Job

2010-05-05T04:54:00.022-04:00

So I did Portraiture at Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan Town on April 17th and 18th and "WIND" reception at Space Gallery on May 1st as an SIR's promotion. It was really fun and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that job! 15 min portrait ( if it's couple, it'll take longer) with watercolor, color pencil and marker. Since making painting digital and sending it in digital is very popular in these days, this portraiture job was different. Painting traditionally in front of the customer and hand it to them. So I can actually see the reaction of the people and feel their emotion. I love seeing happy face! It is wonderful to make people happy with my painting.

WIND

2010-04-28T22:03:00.010-04:00

I am Having a Group Show with SIR which I've been joining since last year. It is organized by Japanese Artists in San Francisco.

For this show, I created a little installation with one of my favorite arist, Koji Nagao. He made the puppets based on my design. Then I made their costumes and painted the picture. I think it turned into interesting piece. Something different from what I usually make. And I will be doing portraiture at the reception.

This will be my last show in San Francisco actually so hope to see everyone in the show.

Four Elements vol.4 風 -WIND-
Surreality in Reality Presents
Japanese Art Exhibition and Performances

@Space Gallery
1141 Polk Street. SF | btw Sutter & Post | 415.377.3325
www.spacegallerysf.com

Exhibition: Monday 26, April 2010 - Saturday May 1, 2010
Gallery Hour 12-5pm

Reception: Saturday May 1, 2010
21+
3pm- Gallery Hour | FREE
7pm- Event | $5
8pm- Live Painting Performance

Awakened by the scents of Springtime released into gentle breezes, animal life rises from hibernation beneath fertile soil into the fresh WIND: the voice of nature.
Through art and media, Surreality in Reality (S.I.R.) has been exploring the elements, WATER, FIRE, EARTH, and now WIND, to bridge cultures with an awareness of nature inspired by the ancient Japanese philosophy of harmony between the four elements. In this final exhibition completing the cycle of our series, the S.I.R. Japanese Art Collective is preparing a space for the invisible force of WIND, it's power finding expression with a live performance, an exhibition, and in carrying the music.

Exhibition by
Ai Sugano (Photography)
Akane (Painting)
Akko Terasawa (Photography / Graphic Art)
Aoi Yamaguchi (Live Japanese Calligraphy / Exhibition)
Junko Maegawa (Graphic Art)
Keiko Moriyama (Photography)
Kenta Shimbo (Paper Toy)
Lavit Sea (Live Illustration / Exhibition)
Luke Short (Mixed Media)
Noa- (Live Painting / Exhibition)
Satoshi (Painting)
Sleepytiger (Illustration)
Taiko Fujimura (Mixed Media)
Takashi Akamatsu (Mixed Media)

Music by
Kento (fresco)
Yusai (Mellow Orange)
Zaion (Zaion Recordings)
Junzo (Welcome Home!)

S.I.R. Website:
http://sir-sf.com

Girl

2010-04-21T21:43:00.004-04:00

This is a painting that I did to illustrate The Beatle's "Girl". It's a melancholic love song. Done by Acrylic and Digital.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVr_6kE1vio&feature=related

Ambience of Colour

2010-03-26T21:57:00.004-04:00

Hi, Everyone.
I'm having a Senior Show at 688 Gallery.
I am showing my landscapes, portraits, abstracts, and my illustrations that I did for school and my personal projects as well.
I would like to invite all of you to my opening reception.
If you can't make the opening, please stop by at 688 gallery during exhibition times.

My Website:
http://www.akaneogura.com/

I will be sharing the space with Jen Oaks.
http://www.jenoaks.com/

Opening Reception:
Thursday evening, April 1st, 5:30~7:30

Exhibition:
April 1st through April 29th, 2010

GALLERY 688
688 Sutter St. , San Francisco, California 94108
415-346-4549
(on Sutter between Mason and Tayler)

Gallery Hours;
Open daily 10 am-6pm;
Saturday until 5pm

Salome

2010-02-06T17:33:00.003-05:00

Digital

Alice in Wonderland

2010-02-06T17:25:00.005-05:00

Mixed Media

A Tango Dancer

2010-02-06T17:21:00.002-05:00

Digital

The Fitting Room

2010-02-06T12:57:00.004-05:00

Digital

Luminous Heat

2010-02-02T21:37:00.009-05:00

16"x16"/Mixed Media

Quick Studies

2010-01-31T20:43:00.018-05:00

These are all 1~2 hours studies by oil.

Acrylics

2009-09-25T21:04:00.009-04:00

"Light Flow"

"Mist Flow"

"Color Flow"

Watercolor Sketches

2009-09-25T20:14:00.017-04:00

Encantada Gallery

2009-07-09T02:29:00.003-04:00

I am showing my paintings at Encantada Gallery until Aug 31st.

It's in Mission, between Valencia St. and 20th St.

If you are in neighborhood, stop by.

The gallery has a lots of interesting fine arts, jewelries and accessories.

Garden

2009-07-09T02:26:00.002-04:00

Location painting.

Uncommon Scent

2009-06-02T06:09:00.005-04:00

Unisex scents could be just right!

Editorial Illustration for fashion magazine.

2009-06-02T05:56:00.004-04:00

RoseMadder JEANS

2009-06-02T05:22:00.003-04:00

Skinny Jeans!

Ennui

2009-06-01T23:03:00.004-04:00

Tea leaves thwart those who court Catastrophe,

designing futures where nothing will occur:

cross the gypsy's palm and yawning she

will still predict no perils left to conquer.

Jeopardy is jejune now, naive knight

finds ogres out-of-date and dragons unheard of,

while blase princesses indict

tilts at terror as downright absurd.

Sylvia Plath

Reincarnation

2009-06-01T18:50:00.005-04:00

Do you believe in reincarnation?

It would be fun to believe.

For my next life, I want to become extremely beautiful flamenco dancer!

Please God!

Portrait of My Hero

2009-05-28T02:38:00.004-04:00

I really like her style, passion, and the way to live.

She is one of the woman that I respect a lot.

2

2009-04-02T04:02:00.002-04:00

There is secret meaning behind number two.

Pualine and Matches

2009-01-28T02:11:00.004-05:00

This illustration is of a bedtime story

you don't want to tell your children.

Red Hair Girl

2009-01-28T01:53:00.006-05:00

Something quick in Painter.

Psychedelic Poster

2009-01-28T01:30:00.005-05:00

Another 60's illustration.

Flower Children once again.

" If you come to San Francisco,

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

by Scott MacKenzie "

60's Hair

2009-01-28T01:12:00.004-05:00

60's.... good age.

I really wish I were in 60's.

But at least I have big hair naturally so it's OK.

Adobe Illustrator

The Gate

2009-01-28T00:55:00.004-05:00

Acrylic on canvas and leather.

Trap butterflies and escape from the world.

Spectrum

2009-01-27T06:53:00.005-05:00

Acrylic on board.

Reason

2009-01-27T06:32:00.003-05:00

Acrylic on canvas.

Death of Sign

2009-01-27T06:21:00.004-05:00

Acrylic on canvas.

Spiritual Movement

2009-01-27T06:19:00.002-05:00

Acrylic on canvas.

Dressing Room

2009-01-27T06:16:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on canvas.

Marmaid in the Dark Sky

2009-01-27T06:12:00.003-05:00

Acrylic on canvas

Dreaming

2009-01-27T06:09:00.002-05:00

My first acrylic painting from Kazu's class.

skeches3

2009-01-27T05:32:00.005-05:00

Right>

From LA trip.

Me and my S California cuties.

Left>

From Mexico trip.

sketches2

2009-01-27T02:48:00.004-05:00

From some magazines and my brain.

Costume design is the one of my favorite thing.

sketches

2009-01-27T02:43:00.003-05:00

From workshop.

The Biker

2009-01-27T02:16:00.002-05:00

My neighbor, Mr. Hide.

Nerdy Sexy

2008-07-29T18:03:00.002-04:00

My special friend, Tofu Slut.

Portrait

2008-07-29T17:59:00.002-04:00

Mr. Bill Sanchez

2008-04-16T14:38:00.002-04:00

Oil painting. He is my favorite teacher in my school. He is great and I like his style a looot♥

Chang

2008-04-16T14:26:00.003-04:00

Oil painting. He is the bartender from the bar I usually go in my hometown.

コエダちゃん

2008-04-16T14:18:00.003-04:00

An assignment from Illustration 2 class. "Portrait of Twiggy"

ノスタルジア★

2008-04-14T23:06:00.004-04:00

「サーカス恋の駆け引き」　which means "Circus Love Game" .I wanted to make a poster for musical-like circus. Somebody is trying to reach someone, but someone is just absent-minded and the world is controlled by someone.... blah-blah-blah.

Today's Beauty

2007-11-26T21:36:00.000-05:00

The New Yorker magazineの表紙。拒食症はいけませんよ。みなさん食べましょう。

My nightmare...

2007-11-19T19:58:00.000-05:00

I had forgotten to do one commission from an important client (she is scary!). The due is tommorrow.... endress thousand layers...