IJsvogel en irissen 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this print of an ice bird and irises, probably using woodblocks, sometime before 1945. Just imagine him there in his studio, carefully carving each detail into the wood, then layering the colors to create this scene. I can feel the artist’s concentration and the quietness in the studio. It is so cool how the bird is diving down, feathers all aflutter, while these elegant irises reach up. The irises are all purples and whites and they pop so well against the light background. I love the way the lines of the leaves lead your eye down to the bird, and how the bird is captured in motion. Koson really knew how to make these little gestures count. It reminds me of some of my own paintings, where I try to capture a feeling more than a perfect picture. When artists like Koson share their way of seeing, it pushes us all to look a little closer.