Long-Sleeved Kimono: 🌸 Applying For An Art Residency in Japan

100 Haiku + A Series of 20 Lupita Portraits Made After Japanese Woodblock Prints

Nov 03, 2024

Hello! I’m Emily Lupita. I’m a travel writer & artist from rural Iowa currently living between Iowa City and Ankara, the capital of Turkiye. I’m also an English teacher & editor.

Long-Sleeved Kimono is a series of 100 haiku and 20 Lupita portraits made after traditional Japanese woodblock prints. It’s an art project I started 20 years ago when I was living in Japan. I post about it on - Emily Lupita Explores - my creativity journal where I share explorations from my art desk & cultural travels, as well as motherhood with my two Autistic sons.

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🌸 Art Residency

I found an exciting potential opportunity to complete my Long-Sleeved Kimono project at an art residency. I applied and got everything submitted by the deadline - so that in itself is a great goal to have achieved. It’s called the Hayama Artist Residency and is hosted in Hayama, a town in Kanagawa Prefecture on central Honshū, Japan.

Like all grants/residency applications, it’s a shot in the dark, but it makes me feel good to know that I’m sending this project, which is so close to my heart, out into the world. I thought I’d share the project proposal I put together here.

May it be a blessing.

Good journey,

Emily Lupita

The Proposal

Title: Long-Sleeved Kimono: A Gratitude Project of Haiku and Modern Woodblock Print Illustrations

Project Description:

"Long-Sleeved Kimono" is a multimedia project exploring the intersection of haiku poetry and traditional Japanese woodblock prints. This ongoing work will comprise 100 original haiku paired with 20 digital watercolor & ink paintings inspired by iconic Ukiyo-e prints.

Motivation and Inspiration:

My three-year journey living and teaching English in Japan sparked a lifelong fascination with its traditional artistic culture. The project serves as a tribute to my esteemed teachers: Hirakawa Sensei (karate), Niizaki Sensei (language & culture), and the late Fukutomi Sensei (haiku). Hirakawa Sensei bestowed upon me the name "Umeko" (meaning "small plum"), a cherished memory reflected in the central character's name within the haiku and artwork.

Artistic Process:

During an intensive period in 2004, I developed my haiku skills under Fukutomi Sensei's guidance. My weekly commute from Miyakonojo to his Miyazaki City studio provided rich inspiration. The train journeys, filled with poetic reflections and captivating views, became a recurring theme in the haiku collection.

Aesthetic Influence:

The vibrant Japanese woodblock print tradition serves as the visual cornerstone of the project. Inspired by artist Maira Kalman's "Women Holding Things," I've chosen a series of ukiyo-e depicting women engaged in everyday activities. These scenes, often featuring women "holding the work of the world," as Kalman writes in her book, resonate deeply with my artistic vision. I use the original ukiyo-e as inspiration for my unique modern illustrations, creating a hand-drawn heartfelt homage to the traditional masters of Japanese woodblock prints.

Completion and Significance:

With a significant portion of the project already underway, this residency presents the ideal opportunity to bring the "Long-Sleeved Kimono" project-in-progress to fruition. It would be a privilege to dedicate this time and space to complete such a profound and personal artistic exploration.

I’d love to hear your ideas. Please share your thoughts with me in the comments.

🦋 News & Creative Projects

I’m on social media: Instagram: @EmilyLupitaExplores and Facebook here.
Check out my books on Amazon by searching my author name - here.
New Art Shop (yay!!): My new Lupita artwork shop is now open on Threadless - I’ll be adding more to it each week - here: emilylupitaexplores.threadless.com
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