“Barrier Against The Wind” (frontice) 2019

October 5, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

This painting is done in a modified technique I developed to mimic the traditional Japanese byobu (folding screen). While the hinging and panels are more or less traditional it is painted with oil and gilded leaf on panels. The left panel displays a figure of a martyr in a cart I drew from a German […]

“Self-Portrait As Sea Monster Contemplating The Moon” 1985

March 22, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Oil and gilding on byōbu (folding screen). 72″ x 144″ Collection of Gail and John Enns. This was the first of my more or less authentic Japanese folding screens Byobu). In 1980 there were no books or videos that I could find on this process. My dear friend Marty Amt (Special Assistant to The Director […]

“Pilgrimage” 1988

March 22, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Oil on 2-panel byōbu (folding screen). 38″ x 51″. Collection of the late Kirby Rodriguez. This byōbu was done in Yamanashi Prefecture Japan during my visit in 1988. Fuji was very close by. My benefactor purchased an old decaying screen from a junk shop and I restored it with new papers and hinges. It is […]

“Memories – Medley” 12-panel byobu 1995

March 22, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Oil and gilding on byōbu (folding screen). Collection of Bernice Steinbaum. The wooden cores of this byōbu were rescued by Marty Amt from the dumpster behind the Freer Gallery. They were the remains of a folding screen Twelve Months – Children at Play. It is normal that when Asian screens age they are restored and […]

“Cage and Stick”

March 21, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Mixed media on paper (byobu). 22″ x 30″. Collection of Gail and John Enns. This was the first folding screen I made. I was assisted in learning this art form by Mary Amt, Special Assistant to The Director at the Smithsonian Freer Gallery. We watched a film of hiogushi (conservators) rebuilding a byobu at The […]