AYA ITAGAKI:
More about Aya
Remembering AYA: Existing Works on Paper:
"A Moment of Delight"
(close-up view, right)
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
15.75” x 32.75” $400.
(close-up view, right)
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
15.75” x 32.75” $400.
I grew up seeing traditional Japanese calligraphy from an early age and began to study Japanese calligraphy
in the 1940s until I moved to Hanover, NH in 1964. In the 1970s, I studied Chinese painting with General Charles Chao
in Hanover, which led to my own style painting.
My artwork has been changing along with my life experiences, but my basic philosophy of life can be found
in the Japanese poet, Basho:
"Do not follow in the footsteps of the Ancient greats,
Seek what they sought."
Many of my works may take only moments to do, but the moment of the action is the only chance in my life to do this work. This single moment requires the highest peak of spiritual, emotional and physical harmony. To catch the right moment is beyond my control and I feel the hand of blessing from God. The feelings of this moment can be found in Basho's poem:
"Yield to the willow
All the loathing
All the desires of your heart."
My flower paintings, I am listening to the flowers' s inner voices as though to ask them, "How lively do you want to bloom?"
In recent years, I have been using brushes I made myself and finding a harmony of different papers and a magic of water
are a new excitement in my work. It takes for hours of drying stage and all colors are blending naturally. My brush
movement needs entire body movement and my eleven years of Karate training at OKA in Lebanon, NH and recent
Belly Dance movement practice has been beneficial by adding agility to my body movements. Occasional Japanese Kyudo (archery) training is polishing my spiritual level into a higher degree. The arrow and the brush are the same: both requires
the right mind of Mui and Mushin as Natural, or without intention; something as it is.
Aya Itagaki
in the 1940s until I moved to Hanover, NH in 1964. In the 1970s, I studied Chinese painting with General Charles Chao
in Hanover, which led to my own style painting.
My artwork has been changing along with my life experiences, but my basic philosophy of life can be found
in the Japanese poet, Basho:
"Do not follow in the footsteps of the Ancient greats,
Seek what they sought."
Many of my works may take only moments to do, but the moment of the action is the only chance in my life to do this work. This single moment requires the highest peak of spiritual, emotional and physical harmony. To catch the right moment is beyond my control and I feel the hand of blessing from God. The feelings of this moment can be found in Basho's poem:
"Yield to the willow
All the loathing
All the desires of your heart."
My flower paintings, I am listening to the flowers' s inner voices as though to ask them, "How lively do you want to bloom?"
In recent years, I have been using brushes I made myself and finding a harmony of different papers and a magic of water
are a new excitement in my work. It takes for hours of drying stage and all colors are blending naturally. My brush
movement needs entire body movement and my eleven years of Karate training at OKA in Lebanon, NH and recent
Belly Dance movement practice has been beneficial by adding agility to my body movements. Occasional Japanese Kyudo (archery) training is polishing my spiritual level into a higher degree. The arrow and the brush are the same: both requires
the right mind of Mui and Mushin as Natural, or without intention; something as it is.
Aya Itagaki
"Mountain"
Sumi-e ink
17.50" x 20.25” $135.
Sumi-e ink
17.50" x 20.25” $135.
"A Moment of Glory"
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
Left—III, 21.75" x 15.75” Right—IV, 22.75" x 16.50” $325. each
Pair $585.
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
Left—III, 21.75" x 15.75” Right—IV, 22.75" x 16.50” $325. each
Pair $585.
"Eos II"
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
12.25" x 22.25” $115.
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
12.25" x 22.25” $115.
“My flower paintings, I am listening to the flowers' s inner voices as though to ask them,
"How lively do you want to bloom?"
In recent years, I have been using brushes I made myself
and finding a harmony of different papers
and a magic of water are a new excitement in my work.
It takes for hours of drying stageand all colors are blending naturally.”
"How lively do you want to bloom?"
In recent years, I have been using brushes I made myself
and finding a harmony of different papers
and a magic of water are a new excitement in my work.
It takes for hours of drying stageand all colors are blending naturally.”
"Bamboo in the Rain"
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
13.50" x 21.25” $95.
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
13.50" x 21.25” $95.
"Bamboo"
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
Left—I, 31" x 18” Right—II, 31" x 18” $275. each
Pair $485. SOLD
Sumi-e ink, Gansai water color
Left—I, 31" x 18” Right—II, 31" x 18” $275. each
Pair $485. SOLD
Existing Framed Paintings
click on link to see Aya's framed artwork