Cleaning time by Jim Hathaway

Soon I will open my studio for another October exhibition. But first I have to clean.

I have windows, fusuma, shoji, and doors, but I have no walls. Old Japanese houses like this are built without walls, so once a year I must construct them.

It begins a race with time. October 3rd the door opens for my show. Will I have paintings framed? Will I have walls to hang them on?

First I must clean the floor.

October Exhibition by Jim Hathaway

I thought I was ready for my October exhibition in Yanaka, but realized I needed one more painting. This week I went back to the pond and got it.

Late Summer Lotus

Playing with papers by Jim Hathaway

The lotus are back on the pond. I’ve been sketching and playing with different papers and painting grounds.

Yesterday I finished this one.

Brushes by Jim Hathaway

The delivery man dropped off a box today and had a funny smile. I said he was looking at the mess my studio is. My sister said he was looking at my brushes.

Ameyoko by Jim Hathaway

I’m back painting Ueno street scenes and am thinking of my teacher’s teacher, George Grosz.