Toko Shinoda: Captivating Artist
She wields her brush like a magic blade….. it seems to me.
How is it possible that the Japanese artist Toko Shinoda can communicate so much, with such deft minimalism? Such complete mastery of white space!
Toko Shinoda, brushstroke mastery
Toko Shinoda – Artist’s Early Life
Shinoda was born 1913 in China, to Japanese parents. The family later returned to Japan where Toko Shinoda pursued her love of Waka poetry and the art of calligraphy. Both her father and uncle were involved with the arts, dabbling in calligraphy and sumi ink painting.
Tokyo’s love of poetry is clear, as evidenced in the titles of her art works. Such as, “Serenity, Beyond, Eternity, Echo, Faded Memories, Cadenza, For Thee.” All have the lyrical flow of the poet.
Toko Shinoda Quote
Toko Shinoda is quoted as saying,
“Certain forms float up in my mind’s eye.
Aromas, a blowing breeze,
a rain drenched gust of wind,
the air in motion,
my heart in motion.
I try to capture these vague,
evanescent images of the instant
and put them into vivid form.”
Captivation by Air and Earth
What I find so captivating and compelling about Shinoda’s art is her exquisitely balanced ratio of air and earth elements in her art works.
Let me explain.
The quality I define as ‘air’ is the sense of Freedom I feel from her work.
That feeling of space, and soaring, and ‘an uplifting quality.’
The Freedom and space, ‘air’ however is perfectly balanced by strength.
By sheer power.
The absolute Certainty, the Resolve in each brush stroke is amazing.
I’m sure you can feel it too!
These 2 things: Freedom and Certainty, ring with truth and resonate within my own artist spirit.
Captivating me.
Art of Toko Shinoda
Links for further information and viewing of Toko Shinoda’s artworks are:
A fabulous article written by Jerry Donavan, Power and Mastery of the Blank Space – Toko Shinoda
and wonderful short video clips, artworks at artlino.com
As some of you are aware, I’ve written a 7 set art series on zen and wabi sabi. This may be a great time to return to them for contemplation.
Watercolor Zen Mountain
Finally,
Toko Shinoda, a captivating poetic artist full of delightful surprises and strengths. Don’t miss out on the loveliness that she has created.
The 2 images shown are just a micro tip of the iceberg. Do google Toko Shinoda to see the full scope of her breath taking art work.
There is so much to learn,
from just looking at how she applied each measured, limited, finite brush stroke!