Kimono
30 x 30
Oil on Canvas
Cherry Blossom time in Washington DC is always a wonderful time of year with celebrations and the enjoyment of warm weather. The museums and galleries associated with the Smithsonian always offer many Asian items in their gift shops. I was fortunate to get there early and found this gorgeous red kimono and black brocade obi. I just love it. Once I got it home I realized I would have to tie the obi...not an easy task. I researched how to put on a kimono and tie an obi checking out videos and lots of source material. It is an involved task and there are quite a few ways to tie it. You cannot see my handiwork in this painting...but it was done correctly I believe! One of the most amusing little tidbits I learned is that the kimono is wrapped around left over right. A particular video did a little skit involving "leftover rice"...ending with the lesson that the closure is to be made left over right....leftover rice. I just loved that.
This painting is the result of my kimono purchase, the trial and errors getting it situated on my model and the cooperation of my beautiful model Kim.
