HOME
INK
CANVAS
SKETCH
About
Contact
Journal

Ema Kubo

HOME
INK
CANVAS
SKETCH
About
Contact
Journal

prev / next

1

·

Keep In Touch

Sign up to receive the latest journals and progress updates!

Email Address

Thank you!

Do you have a favorite snack you grew up with? 🍙🙋🏻‍♀️ Yesterday after practicing calligraphy I needed a mental break so I started these riceballs and just finished them up this morning. Though I admire more "formal" painting, this past (almost) year with 👶🏻 I've noticed my limited energy and that painting certain things can be energizing rather than draining - like beautiful objects and Japanese food. My go-to rice ball is this yukari (dried red shiso leaf) one in the middle 🍙

A little detail of the 1.5" tall tea bowls (6/70) to brighten your Friday 🍵😄The prints will be limited in quantity so to get first dibs on these or other original paintings, sign up for (occasional) EMAIL UPDATES! 📩
Why? ✔️first to know about print & original work availability, ✔️upcoming shows info, ✔️sneak peek into behind-the-scenes, and ✔️learn fun art/art history facts to share with friends. Subscribe to the list at emakubo.com/about 💛Thank you!

I'm taking most of these babies in for their professional headshots today to get them prepared for prints 📸 While I like seeing them laid out together like a gallery wall view on my studio floor, it's even more exciting to think of how they may take on a new life and bring enjoyment to someone else! 💛

35 Japanese veggies are complete = 175 mini paintings in the last few weeks. That's a wrap for the series of 3 Japanese food paintings [all 11x14" watercolor on arches paper]. Now that it's done, this weekend I'll be spending time with family, brainstorm-sketching, and working on calligraphy lesson homework. Do you have have a weekend routine/ritual to rest or unwind? I like to try new things so I'd love to hear what you do!

Happy Friday! I have a few more to go on the Japanese veggie painting 🍠🍆🥬 I got stuck on irregular shapes, but I'll figure it out today. It's nice to "collect" things I love like this without accumulating more stuff besides paper. I'm getting these captured and prepared for prints next week - stay tuned! Then they'll find a home on one of our walls 🤔 Where would you hang the tea bowls, wagashi, sushi, or veggies?

A peek at the 35 Japanese veggies in progress - 9 more to go! What's YOUR favorite vegetable? 🥑🥦🥬🍆🌽🥕🍠 My favorite varies by season, but for this hot season it's cucumbers, especially with wakame and ginger as a salad 🥒 😍

Between this, the sweets, and the latest Japanese veggie painting (in progress) - I've been ready for lunch since I finished breakfast 😂 The semester started last week so there's more to do and I'm trying to use every minute of 👶🏻 nap time. Do you have any ideas for quick healthy-ish lunches at home? 🙏

35 sushi 🍣 [11x14” watercolor on @arches.art paper] = total of 140 tiny 2" friends in the past 2 weeks! 😆 I like working in a series of 3 of the same size, so I have 1 more 11x14” collection to go with the wagashi 🍡& sushi 🍣 before I get these captured for prints! For the 3rd, I’m considering another wagashi (non-circular shapes) or Japanese vegetables 🍆🍠 🤔 What do you think?

Finished the final 10 sushi last night! It was hard to narrow down to 35 nigiri but I included my favorites I like botan-ebi (that super plump shrimp) and tamago-yaki (sweet egg omelet), and many more. What's YOUR favorite sushi?? 🍣 It still counts if it's an American roll like California or Philadelphia rolls 👍🏼

Fresh sushi sketch delivery to your Thursday morning 🍣. I know, the real kind in Japan is incomparable and I want it too. This week I've been daydreaming about it and working away at this nigiri sushi piece by piece - I have 10 left to paint! 😆 Planning to finish today and show you tomorrow 🤞🏼

Detail shots of the wagashi in 4 parts since most of us are scrolling through on small screens. I painted this because I admire the creativity of wagashi makers who use very simple ingredients (mostly rice, flour, beans, and sugar) to create eatable works of art. And of course because these little guys are what I daydream about.

The 35 wagashi (Japanese sweets) are done! [11x14” watercolor on @arches.art paper] I started with my top two in the top left: ① Shio-mame #Daifuku #塩豆大福 (mochi with sweet red bean filling and a hint of salt) & ② Mitarashi-Dango #みたらし団子 (grilled mochi on a stick with a sweet soy glaze) I attempt to make a few varieties because I miss it but it's never like buying from a professional who makes hundreds daily.