“I can’t wait to just go back to the studio…art has been really helpful since I’ve been here and I feel peaceful – whatever I put on paper, I just feel peaceful.”

– Art Of Now: Recovery

To listen and for more inspiring art stories: Art For Hope

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Atelier Kato Turns 3

Home?

Online Art Courses, Make An Origami Crane, Online English Classes, Art For Hope Stories, World Book Day & International Women’s Day Inspiration & more!

Read on for:

• Online Art Courses
• A Video Showing You How To Make Your Own Origami Crane
• Online English Classes
• 5 ways to make art part of your 2020
• Inspiration for World Book Day & International Womens’ Day
• Reasons why keeping a sketchbook is so GOOD for you
• More brilliant ART FOR HOPE stories!

Stay well, wash hands, sketch on and keep up the good cheer. 

During these difficult times, we need art, understanding, hope and each other more than ever.  And don’t hog the loo roll. 

My next post might have to be about the Indian art of washing with your hands…

Warmest wishes from Japan,  Divya & Masa, Atelier Kato Tokyo

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Online Art Courses

Take my drawing courses wherever you are!

Divya’s Sketch Sesh:  My free mini course

When In Doubt, Draw:  My signature drawing foundation course

Details: Divya’s Free Online Mini Art Course

Details: Divya’s Foundation Drawing Course

Visit Divya’s Online Drawing School Here

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Connection Squared: Origami & Sharing Stories

Thank you to all who joined our online conversation with the RSA!

As part of an online conversation with the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) focusing on sharing stories and building connections in the time of the coronavirus, we brought along own origami creations.

Hearing from fellows from around the world and four of our Japan Fellows, meeting each other and swapping stories, brought so much comfort during these difficult times.

Make Your Own Origami Crane For Hope

Below, please find a write up of the event on the RSA website and a video showing you how to make the most popular and best loved origami from Japan, the 折鶴 Orizuru or Japanese Crane.  It’s a symbol of luck and hope and we hope you enjoy making your own at home.

Video Here

Try drawing your origami at the end!

Video Here

Event Recap On The RSA Website

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Online Art & English Courses!

ジョリーフォニックスクラス!  Friends in Japan, while schools are off, check out our Jolly Phonics English Classes available online!

DETAILS:  ジョリーフォニックスクラス | Jolly Phonics Classes

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5 Ways To Make Art Part Of 2020

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1.  SEE

In a word:  FANTASTIC. 

On at Tokyo Opera City Gallery till March 22nd 2020.

Not in Japan? 

Check out the video below to find out about Kazuo Shiraga and the Gutai group.  Full of hope and energy!

Video

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2.  DRAW

First graders to graduates, returnees to retirees, drawing is for everyone and I believe everyone can! 

Atelier Kato is proud to have welcomed students from all over the world, from many different backgrounds and professions and looks forward to welcoming you!

Whatever your age or level, come join our foundation course!

Guiding you through pencil, ink, colour, portraits and more, come discover what drawing can do for you!

Mark your diaries…

and join our award-winning, flagship event The Big Draw Japan Festival and be part of the world’s biggest drawing festival on October 25th 2020!  This year we celebrate the theme Climate Of Change:

Not In Japan?  No worries!

Check out the free mini course in my Online Drawing School

Drawing Class Details

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3.  pARTy

Come pARTy at the RIJ Gala 2020! 

Dress up, spoil yourselves and check out our Art For Hope corner featuring paintings, ceramics, photography, creative workshops and more – the more fun you have, the more art you buy, the more impact you’ll have on so many lives!

  Refugees International Japan Gala May 29th 2020

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4.  READ: Happy World Book Day 2020!

BOOKS, GLORIOUS BOOKS

Believe in G.O.D.? (Good Old Drawing)  Check out a hundred illustrators, artists & cartoonists who do! 

Happy World Book Day 2020 

Left To Right, Top To Bottom:

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

Ways Of Drawing: The Royal Drawing School

Good Old Drawing

MOMO by Michael Ende (my favourite book!)

The Noisy Paint Box

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5.  GRAB A SKETCHBOOK & GO!

Grab A Sketchbook & Go To The Park!

Pictures from a ‘Draw Tour’ workshop I did for visitors from Spain.  People often ask me how to start drawing; nature has the best stuff, it’s changing all the time and… it’s free! Which brings me to my next point…

Why Keeping A Sketchbook is SO good for you!

• First, it’s not a sketchbook: it’s a box for your ideas!  Good, bad or ugly, bring them to life in here and see where they could go… (if they don’t go anywhere immediately, now they’re in a safe space to store and release into the wild later)

• Next, whenever the thought comes up (I mention it because it’s the reason I hear the most) that you shouldn’t bother because it has been done before or better by someone else, remember that it hasn’t been done by YOU and that makes all the difference  (skeptics: check out Hokusai’s wave and Courbet’s wave)

• Drawing is exploring:  forget good or bad and focus on seeing.  As my Big Draw partner, artist Hilary Baker, once said:  “When you draw something you really see it”

• Lifelong learning:  there must be an infinite amount of ways to draw because whenever you think you’ve tried them all, something else comes up that shows you that you still have so much to learn!  It could be movement, light, a different medium or perspective… your sketchbook is your diary and will ‘speak’ differently to someone else’s.  The great thing is you can start with scribbles as a kid and continue well into old age!

• Sketching is reflective:  the attention on your subject shifts you into a different space – one where (this always happens to me and the reason I love drawing most) you have more freedom over your thoughts. Sketching gives you space… and develops valuable inner resources to help you digest the daily ups and downs of life

• Living Immediately:  Let’s end with a favourite quote: “The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” – Seneca  For me, in terms of jumping into the present, it’s tough to beat that scratch on paper.

There are SO many more reasons to grab a sketchbook and explore!  Drawing’s such a joy and all you need’s a pencil and some paper.  Why not start with a line and see where it goes?

Drawing Class Details

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Art For Hope:

Highlighting incredible stories from around the world

From Sesame Street helping refugee children to an art centre in London opening its doors to those overcoming post-conflict trauma, there are many reasons to remain hopeful.

Check out the incredible stories here

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Happy International Womens Day 2020

Celebrating the wonderful women I’m so proud to know!

Wishing all of you a very happy International Womens’ Day.  Here’s to remembering all those who’ve done, and those who continue to do, so much good work.  Here are just a handful of remarkable women I’m honoured to know!

Left To Right, Top To Bottom: 

Jes Kalled:  Writer, Film Maker, Podcaster

Ruth Soshin Lionberger:  Tea Life Tea Mind, Japanese Tea Ceremony Experiences

Grace:  Celebrating you as the inspiring, budding artist you are!  I’ve never forgotten you or all the brilliant things you shared even when you were just 5 years old!  Me: “What do you think drawing’s for?”  You:  “For…making your own discoveries.”

Mama:  Tree Hugger, Book Worm, Cheeky Laugher, Home Maker (in every possible sense), Peace Maker, Fierce Single Working Parent, Best Mama In The World!

Tiny Dancer:  aka Dancing Lady Orchid representing Mother Nature – can’t forget you today!  ps Boys, I wouldn’t forget you either… Google Naked Man Orchid now!!!  (Girls, you should probably do this too!!)

Okaasan:  Mother-In-Law, Flower Artist, Animal Sketcher, Flower Arrangement Teacher, Crafter

Anneliese Nakahara-Knight:  ALBA Music Together Teacher, North-West Wailers Choir

Jane Best OBE (Speaking at TEDx Tokyo):  Director, Refugees International Japan

Tania Coke:  Co-Director, Tarinainanika, The Art Of Corporeal Mime

Rock on women of the world!  

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Art For Hope Painting Project: 

Buy Art. Bring Hope.

Proceeds from the sale of the following paintings will go towards funding humanitarian projects with organisations I’m closely connected with (know EXACTLY where the money is going).

It’s our hope to generate money to fund important work around the world through these paintings which in turn will bring luck to your home too!  

Information on projects you’ll be helping with written below, along with sizes and medium.  International shipping available.

To see the paintings in person, please email us to arrange a viewing.  To commission your own Art For Hope painting, get in touch with us: info@divyamariekato.com

All Enquiries (English/Japanese):  info@divyamariekato.com

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HOPE 希望 

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) Mounted On Wood Panel

90 x 73 (F30), November 2019 ©

Email to view the painting in person:  info@divyamariekato.com

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GANESHA 

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) On Wood Panel

90 x 73 (F30), November 2019 ©

Email to view the painting in person:  info@divyamariekato.com

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AUTUMN 秋

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) Mounted On Wood Panel

97 x 73 (F30), November 2019 ©

Email to view the painting in person:  info@divyamariekato.com

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OTHER WORK

KIZUNA 絆  *** SOLD ***

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) Mounted On Wood Panel

97 x 73 (F30), December 2019, Private Collection Japan ©

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WINTER 冬  

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) On Board

100 x 130 (F60), October 2019 ©

The final panel of our Dragon Through The Seasons project:  the dragon has been growing up through each season and in each panel.

In this final panel, you can see the aged, grandpa dragon, majestic, moss-covered and waking from sleep, ready for his next adventure.

Enquiries:  info@divyamariekato.com

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FUSUMA 襖  *** not for sale ***

FUSUMA 襖 #1, Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media On Fusuma Doors

176 x 168 cm, 2013 & 2019 ©

Enquiries: info@divyamariekato.com

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ART FOR HOPE PROJECTS

Refugees International Japan

RIJ stands out from many NPO’s offering aid to refugees, as they can tell you exactly where your money is going (every single penny) and how it will be used.  From funding baby kits to training courses, kindergartens to community centres, please check out some of their projects here.  We will follow up with you to let you know which project you have contributed to.

Supporting projects that provide opportunities for refugees to lead independent lives while staying close to home and loved ones, RIJ started in 1979 and is celebrating their 40th anniversary!

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Wello Water Wheels

We found out about these amazing water wheels through Habitat For Humanity Japan and thought they were the coolest inventions we’d ever seen!

Water Is Life:  People in developing nations have little to no access

Water Is Heavy!  Head-loading leads to chronic pain

Water Is Time (& Money):  Women spend 25% time collecting water every day

Alam Aksara (World Of Letters in Indonesian)

A non-profit organization started by two of my closest friends, dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for young people in Indonesia.

100% of sponsorship money goes towards the student. We will follow up with you and put you in touch with our friends at Alam Aksara so you can find out more about the students.

Once again, it’s our hope to be able to fund important work around the world through these paintings which will bring luck to your home too!  

If you’d like more information on the projects you’ll be supporting,  please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

International shipping available.

For fees and to see the paintings in person, please email us to arrange a viewing.

To commission your own Art For Hope painting (doesn’t have to be a dragon!), or request a different size, get in touch with us:

info@divyamariekato.com  

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The Big Draw Japan Drawing Festival 

A big thank you to all who joined our award-winning, annual drawing event, The Big Draw Japan, part of Japan-UK Season Of Culture, in Kyoto and Tokyo in 2019!

Celebrating Creativity For Well-Being

The Big Draw 2020 Celebrates The Theme: Climate Of Change

Sunday October 25th 2020

The Big Draw Japan Information

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The Curlew Nature Journal: Published Drawings

Thrilled to have my drawings published here.  The Curlew’s dedicated to fine writing and illustration about the natural world and supporting conservation projects.

Details *Sold Out*

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Commissions

Sumi (Japanese Ink) & Mixed Media, Washi (Japanese Paper) Mounted On Wood Panels:

Small Panel F30 (90cm x 73cm)
Medium Panel F40 (100cm x 80cm)
Large Panel F60 (100cm x 130cm)

Process

Step 1: Consultation
Step 2: Confirmation & 50% Deposit
Step 3: Research & Drafting
Step 4: Review Preparatory Sketches
Step 5: Painting
Step 6: Delivery

Commissioned Art | Dragon Paintings | Portfolio

Enquiries:  info@divyamariekato.com

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New Year Term:  Drawing Classes 2020

In Person & Online: Details Here

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Art For Hope Project

Get Inspired With More Stories Here

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Divya Marie Kato, Atelier Kato Tokyo

Artist, Drawing Teacher, Creator, When In Doubt, Draw drawing programme, Founder, Atelier Kato Tokyo and The Big Draw Japan. Paris-born, Tokyo-based, British Indian artist and educator working in Japan since 2005.

Portfolio here

Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, Companion of The Guild of St. George and passionate advocate of drawing.

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Drawing For Work, Life & Play

Drawing Classes In Person, Atelier Kato Tokyo | INFO

The Big Draw Japan Drawing Festival | INFO

Divya’s Online Drawing School | INFO

Divya’s Portfolio | INFO

Services |  INFO

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info@divyamariekato.com

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