Fuji 1900 - 1910

Ogata Gekko created "Fuji," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, using woodblock printing. I can imagine Gekko carefully carving each line into the wood, a process of slow, deliberate mark-making. Look at the way the mountain emerges from the soft yellow sky, a serene, almost dreamlike presence. What I find so interesting is the reflection on the water – it's like another world, an inverted echo of reality. I wonder what Gekko was thinking about as he made this print. The mountain has always been a symbol of stillness and peace, but also of the awesome power of nature. See those birds flying across the sky? They remind me of the small, everyday moments that make up a life. Painters today are still in conversation with artists like Gekko, finding new ways to represent the world around them. For me, painting is a constant process of discovery, and hopefully this artwork will inspire you to think about your own relationship to the world.