A Mokuhanga print hand printed with a baren on 64 gsm Japanese Pansion kozo washi with cut edges float mounted on white conservation board with kozo hinges.
Edition size: 10 no. plus 1 no. artist’s proof
Image size: 150 x 225 mm
Paper size: 160 x 245 mm approx
Mount: 300 x 400 mm
Price: £90
This traditional Japanese water based wood block print was created with three blocks, four colours including sumi ink, nori (rice starch paste) and 9 passes of pigment. The print uses the ‘mokume’ technique to show the wood grain of the blocks, which is particularly evident in the pine tree, bringing texture to the tree trunk, but also I have used the wood grain to subtly emulate the waves breaking on the beach.
I wanted this print to represent the heat of the summer – one of those days when the sea sparkles an azure blue which puts the foreground pine tree into a deep contrast. This print brings back memories of a few days in Granville, Brittany, and a visit to Christian Dior’s house perched high above the sea. A few pine trees cling to the cliff and its easy to believe you are on the Mediterranean coast not the Atlantic coast! The house itself has a fascinating display of his couture designs and items that inspired him. I was particularly interested to see he took inspiration from Japan and loved the dress ‘Lu Lee San’ designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior in 2007, inspired by origami!
November 2025
Kay A Brown 