I want to tell the story behind the series of this 8 artworks.
On a perfect bright day I took 8 pieces of watercolor paper and painted them with the same background thinking to make series out of them.
I did not have concept for the series of paintings so I just go with the flow.
The first finished piece had Japanese vibes for me. I captured headless dragon in that piece so I called it the lost dragon.
Second piece had a vibes of Japanese busy street with illuminated light boxes. That one I called Shibuya at night - one of the busiest ward name in Tokyo.
Third piece gave me a very festive feeling. I found out that in July (the month when I painted the piece) Japanese people celebrate festival for purification of disease causing entities with the name Gion Matsuri. I thought it would be perfect name for my third piece, as the whole world fought against Covid-19 at that time.
At the evening of Gion Matsuri people continue celebration with the Yoiyama festival, which is celebrated with lots of illuminated lanterns. I tried to convey that vibes on forth piece of the series.
I read that enormous amounts of people gather during that evening. I started thinking around this event - about people, who they are, and from where they come from, why they decided to attend the Yoiyama festival. Then I thought some may even lost in the crowd of people. But it is nothing to lost in the crowd of people compare to the feeling that you are lost in life. And at that moment I realized that I was that lost dragon from the first piece willing to find itself. So I started the journey of self finding. I digged into the internet and find some Japanese traditions that are used to fill your self with happiness and purpose of life.
One of the first tradition that I came across during my search was Hanami, which means flower viewing. This tradition is associated with the Cherry blossom when thousands of Japanese revelers lay under the blooming cherry trees and enjoy viewing the blossom of the flowers. I liked that traditions so much that I thought it might be nice starting for my self discovery journey. So I headed to the botanic garden and started observing every single flower that I have seen there. That came out pretty enjoyable activity.
The other tradition that I liked is Shinrin-yoku meaning forest bathing. The concept of the tradition is to spend time in forested area for physical and mental rejuvenation. Indeed walking in the forest, enjoying being surrounded by the various creatures and feeling their existence as individuals is one of my favorite activities. The nature really calms my brain. At that day I decided to find inspiration in the botanic garden for my sixth piece, and I found it.
In the journey of self discovery the most important thing is to accept your self as you are. Wabi-sabi is Japanese tradition of embracing imperfections. There is lots of imperfections in our life and our task is to see them from different angles. You may find beauty in everything if you want to. In the botanic garden I came across with some damaged bamboo tries and holed leaves. I tried to convey their imperfections in a way that it would be pleasing.
By the end of the journey of self finding I acknowledged once more that the life is about never ending searching of yourself and purpose of life. Actually for me that is the purpose of life - to be in action, to be in search and never stop. However, Japanese people believe that if you find purpose of life you will live long and happy life - they call it Ikigai. My Ikigai at that time point of my life is searching myself, growing intellectually, finding inspiration from the objects around me, learning, painting and just listening to my body and soul.
