The 365 Flowers Project

Art Talk Tuesday

 Now that I have reliable internet service, I'm going to dedicate Tuesdays to the world of art. It is my hope to not only inspire and discuss art with my blog readers, but to also share my admiration of the creative spirit human beings possess.

Since I am exploring linoleum/wood block caving, I thought it fitting that the first topic on Art Talk Tuesday should be the work of Katsushika Hokusai.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is one of Japan's best known artist. Hokusai wood cut prints have become iconic art images. His most recognisable being, Great Wave and the series, Thirty-six Images of Mount Fuji.

As a teen Hokusai worked in a lending library. Novels at that time were illustrated with wood cut print images. At age fourteen, Hokusai apprenticed with a sculpture and learned to carve wood cut blocks used in book printing.

For several years Hokusai's artwork was of a commercial nature. Then around 1792, he disappears for about four years. Art historians believe he most likely was studying painting during this period. In 1797, he resurfaces and begins making privately commissioned art picture books with poets and writers. Hokusai quickly became well know among the Japaneses cultural elite.

 It is thought that during his training as a painter Hokusai was taught Chinese and Western art painting techniques. Throughout his life Hokusai experiments with view points, perspective and color use, that broke from traditional Japanese art theory. He was translating his painting education into wood block printing.  Hokusai was an innovator within the Japanese art community during his life time.

I personally think his work in visual poetry. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy Katsushika Hokusai's wood cut prints.

                                                                Enjoy the rest of your day!