Start the presses!

Made with a vintage Japanese letter and stamps, plus Asian washi papers, acrylic paint, glue, charcoal, and pen and ink on cradled wood panel, the playful cat shown here is part of the upcoming 2027 calendar. It will also be available as a card reading, “hello friend.” And it’s now available as a custom print with no English words, printed to order. © Annette Makino 2027

Well, I’ve finally caught up to my tail long enough to share some exciting news: I’m expecting triplets! Not literally, thank God. At my age, that would be a medical marvel. But I have been working away on three creative projects, and coincidentally, they are all due to come out in early October.

Yung Stands Strong Children’s Book

The biggest project is the children’s book I’ve authored about the expulsion of the Chinese population from Eureka in 1885. More than a year in gestation, Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience is now being printed at Bug Press here in Arcata, CA. I’m excited for the world to meet nine-year old Yung, a real girl who lived in Eureka, and her tuxedo cat Miu Miu, whom I dreamt into being.

This 50-page book is very much a group project, conceived and led by Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) and illustrated by Japanese artist Yukari Mishima. Following the story, there is a fascinating section on the history of Eureka’s Chinatown that was researched and written by HAPI members and local historians.

We are launching the book on Sunday, October 11 at the grand opening of the gorgeous new Eureka Chinatown monument in Old Town Eureka. The monument and book, partly funded by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, aim to spread awareness of this dark chapter in our history so that we can learn from it.

2027 Makino Studios Calendar

My second “baby” is the 2027 Makino Studios calendar of art and haiku. The results of a year of artmaking, the calendar includes landscapes of redwoods, rivers and beaches, and an array of animals including a purple Roosevelt elk. As ever, each mixed media collage includes an original haiku.

As I said in a recent story about my calendar tradition in the Mad River Union, “It’s really meaningful for me to be able to share my art and words with the community and hopefully bring a bit of joy and insight and peace to people through their year.”

Special thanks to the 35 people who helped me decide which 12 designs to include and which to put on the cover. It was a wide-open field, with each of the 15 prospective designs getting at least one vote for the cover and one vote to be cut. In the end, the last image to be cut was decided by just one voter. Quite the cliffhanger! (But unlike the upcoming midterm elections, the stakes were very small.)

Fall Card Collection

The third of my triplets is a new greeting card collection, which went to press yesterday. Though it’s not easy after 15 years of designing cards, I enjoy the challenge of coming up with original words for each image that go beyond a generic “happy birthday” or “deepest sympathies.”

Sometimes I hit it: my top seller remains a 2017 birthday card reading, “in redwood years, you’re still a seedling.” And sometimes I miss: apparently few others appreciate the dark humor of “cheers to another year of staying above ground!”

Anyhow, over a couple weeks of brainstorming and head-scratching, I wrote words for eight of the new collages, plus updated words for an older piece. I’m in suspense to see how these do!

So October will be a big month here in the back woods. With all three projects at the printers now, I can take a deep Lamaze breath and shout, “Start the presses!”

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Makino Studios News

Annette Makino holds a proof copy of Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience, illustrated by Yukari Mishima, with historical background written by Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI).

Art Attitudes radio show: Host Wendy Butler will interview Amy Uyeki, Sue Lee Mossman and myself about the Chinatown monument and book. We’ll be live on Humboldt Hot Air, KHHA 94.7 FM, on Sunday, September 27, 10 to 11 a.m. The show can also be streamed online.

Chinatown monument grand opening and book launch: On Sunday, October 11 from 1 to 4 p.m., come celebrate the grand opening of the Eureka Chinatown Monument, located at First and E Streets in Eureka, CA. The event will include lion dancers, taiko drumming, Asian food trucks, and dance and song performances by Hmong, Lao, and Eureka High School K-Pop groups. Yung Stands Strong will be launched at the grand opening.

Book reading at Los Bagels: Along with members of the HAPI book team, I’ll be reading and discussing Yung Stands Strong at Los Bagels, 403 Second Street in Eureka, CA on Saturday, October 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available and a tour of the monument, around the corner from Los Bagels, will follow for those interested. For a free tour of historic Chinatown, meet in front of the Clarke Museum at 2 p.m. that day.

In Bashō’s Footsteps: The annual Seabeck Haiku Getaway takes place in Seabeck, WA October 21-25. On October 23 at 1 p.m., using photos, maps, and haiku, I will give a talk on my self-guided walking tour last year that traced part of the famous route taken by haiku poet Bashō in 1689.

Book signing at Eureka Books: I’ll be signing copies of Yung Stands Strong at Eureka Books, 426 Second Street in Eureka, CA, during Arts Alive on Saturday, November 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. They also carry my cards and calendars.

Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Award: I’m honored that this very Humboldt poem took first place in The Heron’s Nest’s highly regarded haiku contest this year. My thanks to judge Joyce Clement for her thoughtful commentary, and congratulations to the other winners.

edge of the continent
a flock of godwits
poking holes

Grace Hudson Museum show: A new exhibition at Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah, CA, “Deep Valley: People, Places, Memory,” opened this month to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the City of Ukiah. My collage of an oak tree is included in a section about the ukiaHaiku Festival, where I’ve served as the keynote speaker and had many of my haiku win awards over the years. I’m proud to play this small part in telling the story of my old home town! The show runs through February 7.

Mad River Union story: “Annette Makino’s artful, joyful calendars” is a fun article about my annual calendar in Leo David’s column, “All Things Art,” in the September 3 Mad River Union.

Book cover reveal!

Yung Stands Strong is scheduled for release in the fall of 2026. Art © Yukari Mishima.

Ta-da! I’m excited to share the cover for Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience. This is my children’s book about the 1885 expulsion of the Chinese from Eureka, California. The book centers on a real girl named Yung who lived in Eureka’s Chinatown and was the only Chinese student in her one-room school.

The beautiful cover, by Japanese illustrator Yukari Mishima, shows nine-year-old Yung on one of the two ships that relocated 300 Chinese people from Eureka to San Francisco with just 24 hours notice. And the illustration below depicts Yung and her tuxedo cat, Miu Miu, walking to school.

An illustration from Yung Stands Strong shows Chinatown in Eureka, California circa 1885. Art © Yukari Mishima.

Understandably, some people have assumed I am creating the art for this book. But drawing people and buildings is not my forte (or interest). I think Yukari’s watercolor and ink paintings are perfect for this project. Her depictions of facial expressions and body language show great skill and sensitivity, and she has a kid-friendly style.

Funded by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the book is part of the Eureka Chinatown Project, an initiative of Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI). The HAPI team is writing an extensive back section on the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, Eureka’s Chinatown, and Chinese people’s resistance and resilience. The lively book design by Amy Uyeki includes historical maps, old photos, political cartoons and newspaper stories.

Teacher Roxana Stengl reads a draft proof of Yung Stands Strong to her fourth grade class at Alice Birney Elementary School in Eureka, CA in May 2026.

Last week, several members of the book team visited a fourth grade classroom as the teacher read the story to her students. They were the first kids to experience the book.

Having spent six months writing the story, incorporating feedback from a dozen people and going through twelve revisions, I was in suspense. How would my target audience respond?

In addition to the anti-Chinese racism and expulsion, real-life events in the story include the shooting of a White city council member and the attempted hanging of a young Chinese man. Would all of this be too traumatic for the young readers?

I needn’t have worried. The students took everything in stride and their teacher kept them engaged with lots of questions and discussion throughout. The first thing they asked at the end was, “When is the sequel coming out?”

A couple of Hmong children related the story to their families’ forced exile from Laos. Some Mexican kids connected the Chinese New Year altars in the story with their own custom of setting up altars for Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). And many could relate to the experience of being teased or bullied for being different.

Afterwards, one boy came up to me to say, “I loved the book!” I asked what was his favorite part. He replied, “Everything!”

Book author Annette Makino displays a preliminary proof of Yung Stands Strong.

I’m thrilled that the fourth graders enjoyed the story and could relate to it in so many ways. It feels very meaningful to help shed light on this little-known history of discrimination, injustice and resistance—one that is still relevant today.

Yung Stands Strong will be printed by Bug Press in Arcata, California and published by The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt. While some of the art and text is still in progress, we are currently on track for a fall release.

We plan to give copies to Humboldt schools plus a full classroom set to the County Office of Education. The Office of Education will develop a curriculum for teachers along with a short video of the classroom reading. I’ll let you know when the book is available so you can meet Yung and Miu Miu!

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Makino Studios News

“Paper Alchemy” art show at the library: Thirty of my mixed media collages are on view at the Arcata Library in Arcata, CA—but just until noon this Saturday, May 30. This story in the Eureka Times-Standard has more details. If you can’t come in person, you can explore my online gallery.

NEW! Card bundles: By customer request, I’ve created three new card bundles, one for birthdays, one for sympathy and support and one for everyday occasions. At $25, you get six bestselling cards for the price of five. Shop bundles at the bottom of this page of all my card designs.

North Coast Open Studios: Local artists’ studios are open to the public the weekends of June 6-7 and June 13-14. Though I am not a participating artist this year, I will be out visiting other artists during this fun, free event!

Summer retreat: I’ll be on my annual creative retreat on the river June 27-July 4. Orders will not go out that week as I work on haiku and collages for my 2027 calendar of art and haiku. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Obon Festival: Local folks, mark your calendar for this traditional Japanese celebration of our ancestors 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 16 in Arcata’s Creamery District. I’m honored that the posters and t-shirt will feature one of my mixed media collages! More info from HAPI.

Free shipping: Get free US shipping on orders of $35 or more. Enter code FREESHIP35 at checkout.

Thanksgiving abundance

“warmest holiday wishes” © 2015 Annette Makino

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m thinking about the fact that we in the U.S. have a holiday that is completely devoted to gathering with our loved ones and giving thanks. Isn't it cool that in deepest, darkest November, family and friends come together to share a feast that represents abundance? Covered in gravy, with a side of cranberry sauce.

I’m grateful to be enjoying a less stressful holiday season than usual. For this month and next, I’ve consciously stepped back from some commitments and opportunities just to keep from getting overwhelmed.

As a result, I’ve had time to exchange foot rubs with my daughter Maya, who is home from college this week; play hard-fought games of Scrabble with my son Gabriel; take long hikes in the redwoods with the whole family; and pursue a few new art projects.

Quality family and creative time: that to me is true abundance. But I won't say no to a slice of pumpkin pie—or two!

More fundamentally, I’m deeply thankful to be able to create and share my art with the world. The gravy is to hear from so many of you how this work brings people joy and meaning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

warmly, Annette Makino

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Makino Studios News

Free Shipping: With thanks to you, my customers and supporters, I’m offering free shipping on orders of $20 or more from my Etsy shop. Through this coming Monday, Nov. 30, type in coupon code FREESHIP2015 at checkout to qualify. You’ll find new holiday and everyday cards, art prints and a 2016 calendar of art and haiku.

Made in Humboldt: A selection of my cards, prints and calendars is now available at the Garden Shop of Pierson Building Center in Eureka, CA  through Dec. 24.

Holiday Craft Market: Makino Studios will have a booth at this fair in the Arcata Community Center in Arcata, CA on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13.

Before we were tamed

“fox tracks” is 11×14, painted with sumi ink and Japanese watercolors on paper. It is also available as a card reading “happy birthday, bright spirit.” © 2015 Annette Makino

For the past twenty years, my family and I have lived in the country on the side of a redwood-covered hill. In the morning the woods fill with bird conversations, and we often glimpse deer and foxes wandering past our house.

A raccoon that hung around our compost pile got nicknamed Deke, short for “decomposition.” But when “he” showed up one day trailing four fluffy baby raccoons, we had to rename her Delilah. Because we don’t have the heart to chase them off, Delilah and her grown children have grown quite comfortable strolling past our windows and staring at us curiously.

watchful eyes . . .
bit by bit the wild raccoon
tames us

Living among all this wildlife has gotten me thinking about humans’ connection with nature: what we’ve forgotten, what we can learn, and what we know deep down. At a time when human activity is pervading every corner of the planet, from the deepest oceans to near space, I’m wondering what it means to be wild.

fox tracks . . .
who were we before
we were tamed?

“love from the gang” is 11×14, painted with sumi ink and Japanese watercolors on paper. It is also available as a card reading “love from the gang.” © 2015 Annette Makino

Despite our complex civilizations and sophisticated technologies, we humans share 90% of our DNA with mice. How different are we really from Delilah and her children?

With such questions in the back of my mind, this spring I painted a series featuring our woodland neighbors and some of the natural places around Humboldt County.

chigger bites
my finger traces
the wilderness map

The road to our house runs along a lovely little stream shaded by redwoods, alders and maples. But if you look closely, you can find chunks of styrofoam hidden in an old-growth redwood stump. Old appliances and bags of contaminated soil from marijuana grows are dumped just above the stream bed.

Though humans are supposed to be the most advanced species on the planet, ours is the only one foolish enough to destroy its own habitat. Can we remember how to live in balance before it’s too late? Can we regain the common sense of the common field mouse? Perhaps by the simple act of spending more time in nature, walking, watching and listening, we can start to feel our wild hearts again.

in wilderness
we find our way home

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Makino Studios News

North Coast Open Studios: I'll be on hand to share my new wilderness-inspired paintings at Ramone’s Bakery & Café in Old Town Eureka, California this coming Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, from 11 to 5 both days. My friend Tina Gleave will show her stunning silk paintings of landscapes and other natural images. We’ll also demonstrate our tools and techniques and have new cards and prints for sale. In addition, there will be a free raffle with two prizes: we are each giving away a $25 gift certificate towards our art.

Arts Alive at Ramone’s: Piggybacking on our Open Studios event, Tina and I have a joint show at Ramone’s called “Before we were tamed.” There will bean opening during Arts Alive this Saturday, June 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., and the show runs through June.

New Cards: Twenty-four new and updated card designs are now available in my MakinoStudios Etsy shop. I’ve also clarified how you can order any six designs for $19.99. (My shop will be closed June 13-20 while I’m on a painting vacation.)

Haiku Award: I’m happy to share that one of my haiku won the Dori Anderson prize for the best haiku about Ukiah, California at this year's ukiaHaiku Festival.

Mendocino spring
only ten shades of green
in my paint set

New Fortuna Store: My cards can now be found at Madame Fortuna's Lucky Heart Shop, a store selling herbs, orchids, books, and gifts that just opened in Fortuna, California. See the Store page for a complete list of places that carry my cards.

Connecting: I always love hearing from you. You can get news, fresh art and haiku on my Makino Studios Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

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An earlier version of the haiku “fox tracks” first appeared in The Heron’s Nest, XVII:1. “Chigger bites” was published in The Heron’s Nest, XVII:2.

Ripples from a stone

“forest clearing” is 11×14, painted with sumi ink and Japanese watercolors on paper. A holiday card version reads, “all is calm, all is bright.” © 2014 Annette Makino

I’ve been thinking about cause and effect—and ripples. Even we fuzzy artsy types, who met our college science requirement by taking “Physics for Poets,” know that when you throw a stone in the water, the effect is not linear: the ripples radiate out in concentric circles, farther and farther from the source.

So it goes in the rest of life: while actions certainly have consequences, you can never clearly predict what they will be. A tossed pebble may create a wave that washes a bug up to safety on the far shore. And sometimes the effects radiate out much farther than you think.

This month my friend Amy Uyeki and I have a joint show featuring images combined with haiku and other words. We named the show “Ripples from a Stone” based on the idea that we all influence each other in surprising and unpredictable ways.

In fact, both of our work in this show was inspired by Amy’s grandmother, Shizue Harada. I never met her, yet this Japanese woman, who emigrated to the US in the 1920s in an arranged marriage and only began writing poetry late in life, indirectly launched me on my path as an artist and poet.

For more about this story and details on the show, see this article in the Eureka Times-Standard. And if you’re in Humboldt, we’d love to see you at our reception this Saturday, Nov. 22, 4-6 p.m. at the Adorni Center in Eureka, California.

By putting our work out in the world, we have tossed a stone into the river. Who knows what might come of that?

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Artists Amy Uyeki, left, and Annette Makino at their joint show, “Ripples from a Stone,” at the Adorni Center in Eureka, California in November 2014.

Makino Studios News

Ripples from a Stone: This show by mixed media artist Amy Uyeki and me will run at the Adorni Center in Eureka, CA through Nov. 30, with a reception on Saturday, Nov. 22, 4-6 p.m.

Holiday Open Studios: Visit artists Joyce Jonté, Patricia Sennott and me 11-5 on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7 at StewArt Studios in Arcata, CA.

Made in Humboldt: My cards, prints and calendars are on offer at this holiday sale at the Pierson's Garden Shop in Eureka, CA now through Dec. 24.

Holiday Craft Market: Makino Studios will have original paintings, prints, cards and calendars at this fair in the Arcata Community Center in Arcata, CA on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14.

Holiday at Mateel Gallery: A few of my original paintings, plus cards and calendars, will be available at this group exhibit in Garberville, CA Nov. 22 through Dec. 27.

Living Room Retrospective: I am one of nine artists featured in this exhibit at MikkiMoves in Eureka, CA, opening Saturday, Dec. 6. The show runs through January.

New Cards and 2015 Calendar: Several new holiday and everyday card designs are now available online in my Etsy shop, along with my wall calendar for 2015.