Homage to Hokusai

HELLO!... more

by Carl Atteniese

Title

Homage to Hokusai

Artist

Carl Atteniese

Medium

Mixed Media - Pencil And Ink

Description

HELLO!
And thank you for coming.

INSPIRITION
I made this image many years ago and am happy that America Fine Art makes it possible for me to bring it to you. It is actually a sketch of sorts and arose from the place in us where some of the most honest art comes from: musings.

I had dreamed of living in Japan for many years, because I deeply appreciate many aspects of the country, its people and its culture, but Hokusai (and Hiroshige), Woodblock Print Masters of old - inspired me most - before coming here. (I live in Tokyo.)

ABOUT THE PICTURE
This picture, Homage to Hokusai, is not great art, in my opinion, though I am satisfied with it as a picture and with parts of it more so than with others.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID OF ART
'My art is never finished,' said Da Vinci of his own work, and that doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be shown. I feel that that there is beauty in all things, so certainly in a work of expression we can find redeeming or inspiring qualities and I afford this grace to my own work, if you don't mind.

Hokusai, himself, said his work was not accomplished to his liking and wouldn't be until he was in his seventies, not perfect until he would reach his nineties!

MORE ABOUT THE PICTURE
This piece is a conglomeration of components set together. If you think it is is nice, that makes me satisfied. It was, of course, inspired by the famous picture simply called Kanagawa no Tsunami, "Great Wave of Kanagawa". The actual title is longer, but this title is what many know it by and what I remember.

PHIILOSOPHY
I love Philosophy. And, I appreciate philosophy that inspired or can be gleaned from art. Sometimes I do not see the meaning in a picture until after it is "done". What would John Lennon have said about me, then? he said "Art for art's sake is decadence."

The mountain, for me - and for some people, Asians of a philosophical bent, I would think - represents the strength and character of nature.

The ocean shows us, more than the mountain, perhaps, the sudden changes nature is capable of displaying.

The clouds depict the disinterest and acceptance of wise beings who live in nature but don't let it disturb them; indeed, the aware and awakened, in my opinion, take fortune in all natural opportunity, while not taking its power and importance for granted - and instead of fretting over it or casting delusions about it.

ABOUT MY SIGNATURE
The red stamp mark depicting my initials, 'C' and 'A" was made in wood and affixed in Korea (where I actually drew the picture after visiting Japan; I used to come to Japan as often as possible while on breaks from teaching English in Korea.

The stamp image was impressed on the paper of the drawing from a signature I designed, penned and then, like a print designer, submitted to a carver. It's funny; the only aspect of the image that hearkens back to the print process of blade and wood is in the stamp! I have since lost that stamp, I think (unless it is with some of my belongings at a good friend (William)'s house in Seoul.

WOULD YOU LIKE to HAVE Homage to Hukusai?
I would be honored if you would purchase any form of this image - which would not only inspire me, but help me stay in Japan, where I am making videos and photographs, but where I shall also make drawings (and perhaps painted and printed) images, too - eventually.

I sincerely wish you and yours peace, love, joy and enlightenment as well as...

all the best luck and well being for good moments and good day.

Sincerely,
Carl Atteniese
アテニジ、カール・卍道

Uploaded

April 18th, 2018