French Art – Sawako Art

Japan Artist inspired by Alfred Sisley: Tranquility through Japanese eyes and cultural warning

November 23, 2017February 14, 2019Posted in Churches, Cityscapes, French Art, LandscapesTagged Contemporary Japanese artist, Contemporary Tokyo artist, Impressionism and Japan, Lee Jay Walker, Modern Japanese Art, Modern Tokyo Art, Modern Tokyo News, Modern Tokyo Times, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai artist, Sisley through Japanese eyes, Tokyo news, Utsumi SawakoLeave a comment

Japan Artist inspired by Alfred Sisley: Tranquility through Japanese eyes and cultural warning

The artist Alfred Sisley painted many adorable landscapes through the medium of impressionism. Yet, to many individuals with limited knowledge of art, his name remains relatively unknown in comparison with other impressionist artists. However, this doesn’t distract from the elegant art he produced throughout his life.

Sawako Utsumi, who hails from modern Japan, respects the intricacies of Sisley who produced many exquisite landscapes. Impressionism also remains powerful in modern Japan. Therefore, Utsumi focuses on tranquility and an almost mythical view of modern France that is blighted by many ills – from high crime to Islamist terrorism that is altering the image of this nation.

Equally important, many famous Japanese artists viewed France with utmost respect after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Hence, many late nineteenth and early twentieth century artists from Japan resided in Paris – and other parts of France – for various periods of time. In this sense, the power of French culture remains vivid in Japan in the area of art, architecture, fashion, food, and other areas.

Utsumi, interestingly, omits the shadow of the buildings that twinkle in the river by Sisley (original by Alfred Sisley below). Also, fascinatingly, Utsumi pronounces the Christian cross in the art piece that is titled, “Japan Artist and the Radiant Nuance Inspired by Alfred Sisley.”

Equally noticeable, Utsumi’s cloudy sky punctuated by a lovely sky blue is more optimistic and feels warm. The same can be said about the buildings looking modern, progressive, and in tune with hope and continuity. However, Utsumi offsets the river by a storm that may be in the making. Therefore, is the Christian cross a warning that a new darker Sunni Islamist faith seeks to usurp the rich traditions of France?

Overall, a very stunning art piece!

Written by Lee Jay Walker

Please email Sawako Utsumi at sawakoart@gmail.com

BELOW IS A NEW BOOK BASED ON THE ART OF SAWAKO UTSUMI

Book Review: Sawako Utsumi and her Kindred Spirit

European and Japanese Art: Buddhism, Christianity, Landscapes, Rinpa, Shintoism, Ukiyo-e, and Dutch Masters

http://www.lulu.com/shop/lee-jay-walker/sawako-utsumi-and-her-kindred-spirit/paperback/product-22830732.html – Please click on to order the book.

http://sawakoart.com

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/japan-artist-and-radiant-nuance-inspired-by-alfred-sisley-sawako-utsumi.html

Modern Japanese Artist and Utrillo: Seasonal Change of Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt

July 20, 2016July 14, 2017Posted in Christian Art, Churches, Cityscapes, French ArtTagged Art of Utrillo, Art of Utrillo through Japanese eyes, Beauty of Utrillo, Japan news, Japanese art, Japanese art and cityscapes, Japanese art and Utrillo, Japanese artist in Tokyo, Lee Jay Walker, lee jay walker and art, Maurice Utrillo, mazing Utrillo art, Modern Japanese Art, Modern Japanese artist, Northern Japanese artist, Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt, Sawako Utsumi, Sawako Utsumi and European art, Sendai artist, Stunning Utrillo art, Tokyo artist, Tokyo news, Tokyo news and art, Utrillo and, Utrillo and art, Utrillo and Christianity, Utrillo and Japanese art, Utrillo art, Utsumi SawakoLeave a comment

Modern Japanese Artist and Utrillo: Seasonal Change of Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt in the life of Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) wasn’t a particular historical and famous Christian church in Paris. However, this Catholic place of worship certainly hit a right chord with Utrillo because he painted this scene, from different angles and seasons, on a few occasions. Therefore, the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi focuses on this delightful church but based on a completely different season from the painting by Utrillo that she is paying homage to.

In the passing of time, the spirituality of Christianity would impact on Utrillo (original by Utrillo above) despite his far from traditional upbringing. Indeed, if you apply a fanciful imagination, then it could be said that the changing reality of Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt, within the mindset of Utrillo, is based on the strong connection with his mother and birthright.

Also, familiarity and the power of the Christian faith would bestow a semblance of normality for Utrillo. This is a far cry from his teenage years and the reality of his mother that inflamed contradictory forces within his soul.

In a past article, I stress “Throughout the life of Utrillo mental asylums became a reality because often he was interned into these institutions. Despite this, Utrillo produced an abundance of stunning art pieces. Indeed, he was rightly awarded the Cross of the Legion d’honneur by the government of France in 1928. Also, by the middle of the 1930s, Utrillo became increasingly religious.”

Utsumi impressively creates a completely different seasonal backdrop to the original by Utrillo. On top of this, the adorable artist who hails from Sendai, Japan, focuses strongly on the central spiritual reality that shaped Utrillo during his lifetime. This reality is based on the union of the Christian church and people walking around is based on a natural reality. In essence, a tinge of Shintoism is being modestly impinged based on the natural order appearing at ease within a modern city.

Utsumi says, “People are walking in various directions but the church remains the embodiment based on spiritual strength and open to all who seek sanctuary.”

This Christian sanctuary would steady the Utrillo ship. Similarly, for Utsumi, art and spirituality are areas that provide sanctuary to her in a world that is chaotic. Therefore, the rich color scheme by Utsumi is based on powerful rays of hope that are needed in this life. At the same time, a sense of belonging and communion with the spirit of Utrillo is obtainable based on different reflections.

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sawako-utsumi.html – Art of Sawako Utsumi and where you can buy her art, postcards, bags, and other products. Also, individuals can contact her for individual requests.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/utrillo-and-church-seasonal-change-in-paris-by-japanese-artist-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mirage-of-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/japanese-eyes-and-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoart.com

Maurice Utrillo in the Heart of Sendai Artist: Yuzo Saeki to Sawako Utsumi

February 2, 2016August 24, 2016Posted in Cityscapes, French Art, Japanese ArtTagged Alienation and art, Artist from Sendai, Cityscape art in Japan, France art and Japan, http://moderntokyonews.com, http://moderntokyotimes.com, http://sawakoart.com, Japan news and art, Japanese art and France, Japanese cityscape art, Japanese modern art, L.S. Lowry and Japan, Lee Jay Walker, Maurice Utrillo and cityscapes, Modern Tokyo News, Modern Tokyo Times, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai art, Sendai artist, Tokyo Art, Tokyo news and art, Utrillo and health issues, Utrillo and Japan, Utrillo and Paris, Utsumi Sawako, Yuzo Saeki and health issuesLeave a comment

Maurice Utrillo in the Heart of Sendai Artist: Yuzo Saeki to Sawako Utsumi

The French artist Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955), just like the British artist L.S. Lowry (1887-1976), are two of the most predominant artists to hail from France and the United Kingdom in the twentieth century. Of course, internationally, Utrillo is more famously known but this shouldn’t distract from the individualism of Lowry. Therefore, with the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi adoring Lowry and Utrillo, then she often pays homage to the stunning art that they created.

In this article, the focus is on Utrillo and his amazing cityscapes that appeal so much to Utsumi. According to Utsumi “you can feel a hidden soul in what should be the mundane.”

Utsumi is alluding to the countless cityscapes produced by Utrillo because these art pieces are not based on creating a dramatic and false impression. On the contrary, Utrillo focuses on reality and natural settings. Despite this, you can “feel a hidden soul.”

Indeed, when viewing the art of Yuzo Saeki (1898-1928) you can often feel his pain within the art he produced. This alludes to his serious health issues and the alienation he felt while painting in Paris. After all, not only was Saeki far from the land of the rising sun, but also, equally important, his deteriorating health and cultural alienation weighed heavily on Saeki. This reality created a sense of alienation, fear, despair and other negatives within the magnificent art of Saeki.

However, despite Utrillo also suffering from bouts of ill health throughout his life and alienation when younger, it is hard to see this within his cityscapes. Ironically, the different realities of Saeki and Utrillo appeal greatly to Utsumi. Therefore, this contemporary artist from Sendai focuses on creativity, fusions, passion and aspects of chaos even when not always visibly clear.

I comment in a past article about Utrillo “In his younger days Utrillo had a rebellious spirit in relation to studying and issues related to alcoholism. At the same time, he suffered from mental health issues from an early age. Therefore, by the age of 21 his mother opened his eyes to a much greater extent towards art in order to help Utrillo fight back against mental health issues.”

Intriguingly, while Utsumi isn’t blighted by either alcoholism or mental health issues that infringed negatively on Utrillo, she did refocus on art during a period of personal hardship. Therefore, for famous artists like Saeki and Utrillo – and for Utsumi – they breathe art from various different perspectives.

Lee Jay Walker

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sawako-utsumi.html – Sawako Utsumi and where you can buy her art, post cards, bags, and other products. Also, individuals can contact her for individual requests.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mirage-of-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/japanese-eyes-and-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoart.com

L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo Through the Eyes of a Japanese Artist

January 9, 2016March 23, 2017Posted in Art of England, British culture, Cityscapes, French Art, Manchester ArtTagged Art of Europe, Art of Japan and culture, Art of L.S. Lowry, Art of Maurice Utrillo, Art of Sendai, art of tokyo, English art and Japan, English art and Japanese art, L.S. Lowry and Utrillo, Lee Jay Walker, Lowry and creativity, Lowry and Japan, Lowry and Japanese art, Maurice Utrillo and Japan, Modern Japanese artist, Modern Tokyo artist, Modern Tokyo News, Modern Tokyo Times, Richness of Lowry, Richness of Utrillo, Sawako Utsumi, Sawako Utsumi and art, Sendai art, Sendai artist, Tokyo art and Europe, Tokyo news and art, Utrillo and Japanese art, Utrillo and Lowry, Utrillo and religion, Utsumi Sawako and artLeave a comment

L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo Through the Eyes of a Japanese Artist

L.S. Lowry (1887-1976) and Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) were born in the 1880s and perished well into the twentieth century. Both individuals created countless amazing pieces of art but from very different angles. This reality hit a chord with Sawako Utsumi, who hails from the Sendai region in Japan, because she appreciates the richness of both artists.

Sawako Utsumi (http://sawakoart.com) is still searching and experimenting with her art but before focusing more internally, this delightful artist from Japan seeks to feel the souls of past great artists. Therefore, certain elements and cross-diversity themes in relation to Japanese and European art are currently paramount within the heart of Sawako Utsumi.

In the three art pieces highlighted in this article by Sawako Utsumi one art piece is in appreciation and admiration of L.S. Lowry, and the other two art pieces in relation to Maurice Utrillo. However, within her own personal art you will witness various themes and this applies to English landscapes, Japanese rinpa, Still Life, religious elements of various faiths – and the mirage of time, emotion, philosophy, space, and tricks within the shadows of European and Japanese art.

During the lifetime of L.S. Lowry, especially in the early years, many individuals within the art world didn’t appreciate his independent and creative art. Indeed, elements of snobbery and lack of feeling the artistic soul of L.S. Lowry within his heart, meant that some individuals looked down on him. Yet, true to the nature of L.S. Lowry, he responded by saying “If people call me a Sunday painter I’m a Sunday painter who paints every day of the week!”

I stress in a past article: “This comment by Lowry highlights his roots because it shows no weakness and highlights his enormous self-belief. Also, Lowry didn’t seek compassion because his art would do the talking. Therefore, people can either accept his uniqueness or reject it. Either way, Lowry didn’t desire compliance because he held firm to what made him special. However, in saying this, it must be stated that his art is more diverse than most people give him credit for.”

In contrast, it is clear that Maurice Utrillo had an easier route given the artistic reality of his mother and the many connections she had. Despite this, life was never easy for Maurice Utrillo because he suffered from various health issues, including mental health problems. Therefore, art became a form of therapy during the early stages but in time the soul of this amazing artist would be felt deeply.

Christianity would also impact on Maurice Utrillo despite his upbringing and the relentless struggles that he faced. I comment in a past article about this rich artist: “Throughout the life of Utrillo mental asylums became a reality because often he was interned into these institutions. Despite this, Utrillo produced an abundance of stunning art pieces and in 1928 he was awarded the Cross of the Legion d’honneur by the government of France. Also, by the middle of the 1930s Utrillo became increasingly religious in relation to Christianity.”

In the three art pieces by Sawako Utsumi titled Japanese Eyes and Utrillo, Lowry and Shadow of Japan and Mirage of Utrillo, it is clear that you can also feel the individualism of this modern artist from Japan within her art pieces. This is based on her admiration and appreciation of L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo, while providing different color schemes and implementing certain dynamics in relation to creativity, culture, space, light, the mirage of time and personal meanings.

Lee Jay Walker

http://sawakoart.com – Sawako Utsumi personal website

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lowry-and-shadow-of-japan-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/japanese-eyes-and-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mirage-of-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

Japanese Artist and Mirage of Utrillo

November 4, 2015January 9, 2016Posted in Cityscapes, French ArtTagged Amazing Utrillo art, Art of Utrillo, Art of Utrillo through Japanese eyes, Japan and Utrillo, Japanese art and cityscapes, Japanese artist in Tokyo, Lee Jay Walker, Maurice Utrillo art, Sawako Utsumi, Stunning Utrillo art, Tokyo artist, Utrillo and art, Utrillo and Japanese artLeave a comment

Japanese Artist and Mirage of Utrillo

Maurice Utrillo produced many stunning art pieces and this notably applies to amazing cityscapes. He was born in 1883 in Paris and despite many health problems he lived until late 1955. Therefore, Utrillo witnessed many momentous events in French history and in the field of art.

Indeed, the piece titled Mirage of Utrillo by Sawako Utsumi fittingly sits well with the mirage of his life. After all, speculation still remains about his real father because Suzanne Valadon, his mother, refused to reveal this openly. However, this isn’t the real mirage because this belongs to the changing nature of his lifestyle.

In his younger days Utrillo had a rebellious spirit in relation to studying and issues related to alcoholism. At the same time, he suffered from mental health issues from an early age. Therefore, by the age of 21 his mother opened his eyes to a much greater extent towards art in order to help Utrillo fight back against mental health issues.

Throughout the life of Utrillo mental asylums became a reality because often he was interned into these institutions. Despite this, Utrillo produced an abundance of stunning art pieces and in 1928 he was awarded the Cross of the Legion d’honneur by the government of France. Also, by the middle of the 1930s Utrillo became increasingly religious.

The mirage of his background and upbringing – along with repeated problems in relation to serious health issues – somehow culminated in a form of stability based on his art and religious faith. Sawako Utsumi, who hails from northern Japan, therefore focuses on this mirage by providing a stunning piece of art that acknowledges the artistic flair and grace of Utrillo.

Lee Jay Walker

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mirage-of-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoart.com