Mother's Day
her milk still flowing
through me
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers! Today I’d like to share a bit about my mother, Erika Makino.
Blossoming
On Love and Loss and a Man Named Quantum
mind of blazing sun
heart tender as the moon
may you soar the skies.
My friend Lindsey Lane, a writer based in Austin, Texas, recently commissioned this piece for her teenage daughter. It was such a blessing to be invited to help create this expression of love.
Holiday Abundance
Happy holidays, and thanks for making this such a successful first year for Makino Studios! With your support, I've gotten terrific response at my first shows, fairs, and retail outlets. It's been so gratifying to see the range of people who are touched by my haiku ink paintings--folks one wouldn't normally associate with poetry and Japanese-inspired art. At a holiday fair, a weathered rancher in a baseball cap bought a "honeybee haiku" book for a friend in Montana. A group of hip young men bought dog greeting cards for their dog lover friends. Two older women who have been friends for 50 years coincidentally each bought the other holiday gifts from me. And I just finished a commissioned piece that is an expression of love from a mother to her teenaged daughter. Meanwhile, through online orders, I have been shipping my work to people as far as Finland and the UK. I still feel amazed that so many other people connect with the odd thoughts and images in my head!
I wanted to let you know that I now offer several new cards, prints, and handmade books. Most of these items are up on the MakinoStudios shop on Etsy, including my whole "haiku for dog lovers" series. Selected card designs are also available at 16 stores in Northern California from Oakland to Yreka.
After the whirlwind of the past three months, I’m looking forward to getting back into my studio to create new paintings. Stay tuned to see what emerges! Here's wishing you a rich and fulfilling new year.
(Photo above was taken at a Bayside, California holiday fair by Lorraine Miller-Wolf)
Giving Thanks
Poetry and Honey
At a Halloween party twenty years ago today, a slinky black cat crossed paths with a tall, blue-eyed sea captain. The sea captain had an exceptionally kind and intelligent face, a warm heart, and a great sense of humor.
And so I met my future husband, father of my children, partner in life adventures, and best friend. Happy 20th anniversary to us! And it’s palindrome day to boot: 11-02-2011.
Grace Notes
Dear Friends,
I’d like to share with you the latest exciting news about Makino Studios.
You’re Invited: Artist’s Reception During Arts Alive
The October 1 opening for my first solo exhibition was a wonderful event. Heartfelt thanks to the hundred-plus people who came and enjoyed my collections, “Haiku for Dog Lovers” and “Aha! Haiku Insights.” Here is a blog post with thoughts on the opening, and here are photos on the Makino Studios Facebook page.