Anytime I travel I always bring a sketchbook. OF COURSE I would bring along paints and paper to Japan! I was really inspired by the collections of the potters I met during the trip. Kokeshi dolls, rusted tools, tricket-y charms, and old toys were just a few of the collections I viewed inside the homes of Japanese artists. I am an avid collector, as well, and will post about that topic soon. Until then, here are a few of my sketchbook pages that I created while in Japan.

If you know anything about me, you probably know about my love of kokeshis; I have a collection of about 500 wooden dollies. Kokeshi dolls are a Japanese folk tradition and you see them everywhere in Japan.

A vast collection of rusted out bits and bobs and tools kept me sketching at a furious pace in an Okayama home/studio.

This drawing was inspired by the interior of a Japanese home in Nara. Lots of jewelry and charms hung on the walls and the lighting was something special.

Although I’ve been back from from my trip for about two months, my sketchbook of Japan is still a work in progress. Occasionally, an image from my journey will pop into my head and I have to capture it on paper. Stay tuned to view more of inspiration!