Jave Gakumei Yoshimoto’s (NAP #99 & 102) recent work "Baptism of Concrete Estuary" was massive in size and massively received.

After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Yoshimoto began working on a scroll painting to highlight the destruction and devastation the country faced.  What began as a small endeavor, however, grew to be a 30 foot long scroll painting that also acted as a fundraiser for building an art center in Japan in the wake of nature’s destruction.

Because “Baptism” was never meant to be 30 feet long at its inception, though, Yoshimoto returned to his original idea this year, using a traditional rectangular piece of paper as his canvas and a small study as his inspiration.  Just as we did with Mark Schoening, we are pleased to feature Yoshimoto’s process through a diary of images. - Ellen C. Caldwell, Los Angeles Contributor.

Images after the jump!

“Harbinger of Late Winter Day's Dusk.” Holbein acryla gouache on BFK Rives 270gm paper, 30"x41"

Inspiration study that inspired both the scroll “Baptism of Concrete Estuary” and painting “Harbinger of Late Winter Day’s Dusk.”

Initial Sketch

Transferring the Sketch

Supplies

Painting Process Begins

The end result: “Harbinger of Late Winter Day's Dusk.” Holbein acryla gouache on BFK Rives 270gm paper, 30"x41"

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Jave Gakumei Yoshimoto was born and raised in Japan until he was nine, when he moved to California. He attended UC Santa Barbara as a Studio Art major, focusing on painting and printmaking. Inspired to work in a more socially conscious manner, Yoshimoto completed his M.A. in art therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before going back for his MFA in painting at Syracuse University.

He recently completed  " Harbinger of Late Winter Day’s Dusk" while at a residency at Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City, NE.  Next, he'll be moving to Seattle this fall to work as an Americorps member, teaching after school arts courses to junior high students.  He is in two upcoming group shows: “No Printing Necessary” at Step Gallery at Arizona State University, running from September 10^th through the 14^th, with an opening reception on 9/11 from 6-8pm.  And "Wanna Play?" at Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights, IL, running from 9/26-10/27, with an opening reception on 9/28 from 6-9pm.  His work will also be featured in the upcoming West Coast issue of NAP #102.

Ellen C. Caldwell is an LA-based art historian, editor, and writer.