Paper Kimonos

Japanese Chiyogami, Katazone, Korean handmade papers; 44” x 53”; inspired by the crane paintings of Ito Jakachu, an 18 C Japanese painter who became a Zen monk. Price $2700

Paper, collaged rubbings, baking cups; 63” x 51”. $2700 Pansies and primulas are symbols of remembrance; daisies of faithfulness. With rubbings from plaques commemorating the Brown’s Island Arsenal explosion of 1863 in Richmond, Virginia, this kimono honors all those who faithfully carry on despite their circumstances.

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Japanese Chiyogami paper, kozo, recycled papers; 47 “ x 60 “; paper collage, mixed media; Falcons were prized pets of the Samurai warrior class because of their strength, swiftness, and elegant instincts for capturing their prey. Inspired by the paintings of Ito Jakachu, 18th C. Japanese painter who became a Zen monk. Price $2900

Collaged Paper ; 46’ x 52”; Black Dragon shows how the dragon can be both a fierce protector and a formidable enemy of mankind. Asian dragons are often protectors of the innocent, the good, and those suffering from injustice. The dragons represent natural elements. In Black Dragon Kimono, the dragon on the front is a fire dragon, protecting with its fire and smoke, shedding light and warmth or it is destroying with its breath of fire, creating fear and respect. The back of "Black Dragon Kimono shows a water dragon, which again uses its natural habitat of the sea to help the victims of injustice escape by possibly by sea or other watery environment, or threatens to drown the perpetrator of crime. Both dragons represent the power of the natural elements. $2200

Paper, bubble wrap, collaged rubbings; 61” x 56”. Koi fish are much admired by the Japanese for their vigor and strength. They must be carefully bred to sustain their beauty, for if freed into the wild, they will, after a few generations, return to being ordinary carp with an uninspiring gray color. Thus, like the koi, vigor, strength, and beauty need to be nurtured and cared for. Price: $2300

Paper, bubble wrap, ribbon, collaged rubbings and transfer drawings; 56” x 56”. Medusazoa or jellyfish are fluid in nature. They are halfway between plant and animal; they can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Although their movements are admired for their mesmerizing fluidity, they also can be destructive to the livelihoods of fishermen; one’s appreciation of them is therefore tempered with ambivalence. Price: $2200.

Paper, collaged rubbings, Ribbon; 54” x 49”. Shichi-go-san is Japanese for "seven-five-three." It is a term that refers to an anuual day of prayer and festivities dedicated to the health and growth of young children. On this day, November 15th, boys and girls aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, all visit Shinto shinrines with their parents. The seven-year-ole girls wear a kimono with a special kind of "obi" or wide ribbon-like belt, that represents their first steps into adulthood. The obi here features white lilacs and a lily of the valley. Lilacs represent modesty, innocence, virgiity, youth, and peace. Lilies of the valley are wishes for the happiness that comes from choosing the right path in life. $2500

Created with rubbings from Cusco and Lima in Peru, using handmade papers from Nepal, Thailand, and Mexico, with jaguar symbols printed from linoleum blocks. Pachacuti reigned from 1438-1471 and was considered the founder of the Inca empire. $1600

Created from handmade papers from Mexico and Nepal with rubbings from monuments in Oaxaca and Mexico City, with a theme of yucca plants, an indigenous plant that is an important part of the Mexican economy and way of life. $1300

Collaged papers and flag semaphores; 52” x 60”; semaphore flags spell “Come Together”, words from a Beatles song. The large semaphore flags on the sleeves spell “USA.” On the backside the words “Got to be Free” are from a song by the Rascals, an expression of a universal desire and democratic principle. The two ideas can result potentially in chaos if not tempered by a desire to “come together.” The message is a plea for the country to work together with respect for each other’s desires. Price: $1990.

Collaged rubbings, ribbons; “Do not leave your child behind” is a rubbing from a MacDonald’s women’s bathroom. 48” x 22” x 24” (girth) ; Recycled NFS

Collage paper; 38” x 41”; Isabelle de Borchgrave is the ‘grand dame” of creating costumes out of paper. Her work has been exhibited world-wide. Seeing her work changed the artist’s attitude about the possibilities of paper.

“Les Deux Chats de Isabelle” Kimono is about the tricky appeal of paper, here in the shape of cats. The front shows two statuesque cats, either appealing or daring us to stroke them. On the back, a perpetual game of cat-and-mouse takes place. When an artist uses paper as their medium, they must engage in a perpetual game of “cat-and-mouse” where the prize is a most satisfying experience, but equally, hours of effort can also turn out to be fruitless.

Paper and Collage; 36” x 50”; SOLD. The first in the Abecedary project, this kimono was guided by these words: Aspidistra, Armory, Abolition, Auld. Inspired by my rubbings from the Tredegar Iron factory in Richmond, Virginia, where an Armory was located during the Civil War, I focused on the iron will of those who fought in the Civil War. I used a calligraphic approach to the letter A, writing words like “arsenic” and “auld” (for memories) and abolition (of slavery) on rice paper in the background. Coincidentally, the Aspidistra is called the “iron plant” because it can endure almost any environment. To see more of the Abecedary kimonos, go to /abecedary

Collaged paper; 36” x 55”; The "She" spirit" is the feminine power of love which creates all the good that is. Balance of needs and nature is the norm. "She" is nature herself, creating , procreating, and re-creacting. Where Her spirit dominates, harmony and peace result. The animals live, play. work in unison, without needing to prey on each other as a food source. Every beast, flower, insect, and plant receives the nourishment and attention it needs. Even though it is a mystery to the mortal sensibility of humans, cooperation among all the elements, from the animals to the vegetation, prevails. $3300The Perfect Garden Kimonos