Divya Marie Kato. When In Doubt, Draw. Getting The World Drawing.

Festive Workshop & Gift Ideas For 2019

1st December 2018 By divyamariekato

For our final workshop of 2018, we warmly welcome you to our home atelier for a day of hands on art and craft!

As we begin preparing for the festive season, we wondered if you’d like to join us and find out how we go about making our handmade decorations.

Design and create your own seasonal wreath and festive greeting cards

Assisted by your hosts, yours truly and my Okaasan, who’s a flower arrangement teacher, you’ll leave with one of a kind gifts for friends and family or for your own home: a seasonal wreath (pictured above) and an illustrated greeting card.

Sunday December 9th 2018: Morning Session 10am-12pm & Afternoon Session 3pm-5pm

Choose either a morning session or afternoon session.

Our Home Atelier In Yoyogi

Atelier Kato is close to Yoyogi park. Detailed directions provided in your confirmation email.

All Materials & Snacks & Festive Bubbles Included

¥15,000/person with everything included. We pride ourselves on providing you with the highest quality materials and, due to our respective professions – art and flower arrangement – we have access to the best sources. Regarding your instructors, you’re in good hands – we’ve got you covered with over 40 years of experience. No need to bring anything but hands itching to make and create!

Home Workshop So Limited Places

We’d love to welcome more of you home, but this will be an intimate workshop with a maximum of 5 spaces per session (5 spaces for morning session and 5 spaces for evening session)

Email To Reserve On A First Come First Served Basis

Email info@divyamariekato.com to reserve your place, with your name, contact information and preference for morning or afternoon session. Look out for a confirmation email with further instructions, details and directions provided.

We look forward to enjoying this festive workshop with you!

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Creative Gift Ideas: Drawing Classes & Workshops For 2019

Drawing Class Gift Packages For Classes In 2019 | Outdoor Workshops For You & Your Team

To me, drawing’s an activity that I enjoy all year round. It helps me switch off, slow down, release stress, reflect, process, spark new ideas, enjoy the changes of each season and much, much more…

which is why sharing drawing is what I love to do most!

Give the gift of art to you and your team for a workshop out of the office and in the great outdoors.

Give the gift of drawing to someone you know who has either always wanted to, who hasn’t for a long time, who’s curious about exploring their creative side or who still has an unopened paint set from last year sitting in a box.

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2019 Reservations & Enquiries: info@divyamariekato.com

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Drawing For Work, Life & Play

Drawing Classes In Person, Atelier Kato, Yoyogi, Tokyo | INFO

Learn How To Draw Online, Divya’s Online Drawing School | INFO

Creative Workshops | INFO

info@divyamariekato.com

*Divya Marie Kato: Drawing For Work, Life & Play*

info@divyamariekato.com

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Lakeland University Lecture: Why Draw

20th November 2018 By divyamariekato

When In Doubt, Draw It Out: Why Draw (even if you’re no Da Vinci)

Lakeland Lectures, Lakeland University Japan

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Here’s the biggest misunderstanding most people have about drawing: it’s not about making great art.

Drawing’s a vital part of the way we understand ourselves, understand others and understand the world around us.

Drawing’s a universal language that we can all learn to speak, in whatever accents we choose.

Since our earliest ancestors began drawing on cave walls, we’ve been wired to express ourselves visually.

As children, we reach for a crayon with as much excitement as a tree branch. What happens along the way?

The World Economic Forum forecasts that creativity will be in the top three most sought after skills by employers in 2020.

The future of work is changing. As we move into a new era, perhaps the most innovative thing we can do is draw on our best technology: our imagination.

The intimacy of a sketchbook and immediacy of lines made in the moment, make drawing a language of observation, expression and independent inquiry.

Drawing provides an invaluable opportunity for reflection in changing times.

An opportunity all too often ignored in the age of the attention economy, with serious consequences on our mental health.

In this presentation, artist and founder of When In Doubt, Draw, Divya Marie Kato FRSA, shared powerful case studies that highlight the importance of drawing, plus her number one drawing tip – which we put into practice!

The Importance Of Visuals

Why Are We Here & Why Draw?

Connecting With Ourselves

Connecting With Each Other

Connecting To Our Place In A Bigger Picture

Watch Video Here

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In the age of the attention economy and automation, there has never been a more important time to focus on what it is that makes us human

And there are so many inspiring stories that continue to testify to the strength of the human spirit. I’m trying to collect a few here in a page called Art For Hope, if you have any, do let me know!

Lakeland Lectures, Lakeland University Japan

A very big thank you to Roger and Ruth from Lakeland for making this possible and, if you’ve never been to a Lakeland Lecture yet, please go to one soon! Lectures are free and open to all. Details Here

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Drawing For Work, Life & Play

Drawing Classes In Person, Atelier Kato, Yoyogi, Tokyo | INFO

Drawing Classes Online, Divya’s Online Drawing School | INFO

Drawing Workshops | INFO

info@divyamariekato.com

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The Big Draw Japan-UK 2018 Event Recap

4th November 2018 By divyamariekato

Otsukaresamadeshita!

Thank you to all the Big Drawers who joined us to bring the world’s largest drawing festival back to Japan – we did it!!

On Sunday October 28th 2018, on a bright and sunny autumn afternoon, we gathered at Yoyogi Park Tokyo to celebrate The Big Draw Festival.

On the other side of the world, in the UK, our partners and fellow Big Drawers led by artist, Hilary Baker, gathered at Ruskin Land in Bewdley!

Our Partners & Fellow Big Drawers In Ruskin Land, Bewdley — **Our Big Draw 2018 Partners & Fellow Big Drawers In Ruskin Land, Bewdley**

Our Big Draw 2018 Video!

The Big Draw Japan – UK Event Recap

This year’s Big Draw theme is PLAY and, through a combination of three activities, we set about doing just that – couldn’t have hoped for a better place to play in or people to play with – thank you for bringing energy and enthusiasm!

So What’s The Big Draw & What Toys Have We Got To Play With?

Our toys for today: boxes of handmade charcoal made in the woods of Ruskin Land in the UK — **Our toys for today: boxes of handmade charcoal made in the woods of Ruskin Land, Bewdley in the UK**

“Drawing To Learn. Not Learning To Draw.”

The Big Draw is the world’s largest drawing festival, with events taking place all over the globe.

We have a dream to put Japan on the map and to grow this event slowly year by year, connecting with other countries through the power of a line.

Championing visual literacy, creativity and expression, The Big Draw Festival is an annual celebration of the power of drawing as a universal language, which we can all ‘speak’ in our different ways.

You don’t have to be an artist to draw

The Big Draw believes everyone can draw and everyone should have access to the benefits of drawing.

This is something I’ve always believed in too!

Drawing is a truly universal tool that can build bridges, communicate across oceans and make dreams a reality.

Drawing is a vital tool in many professions: From mathematicians, to surgeons, architects to engineers, therapists, political commentators to graphic designers. The humble pencil has built many a pioneer within every profession you can imagine.

Drawing is a means of understanding the world, how it looks, and how it works. It nurtures imagination and the power of invention. Drawing is also a transferable skill which can be integrated into the entire curriculum.

For more on championing drawing at home and at work, head to The Big Draw website for ideas and resources and to hear from patrons spanning all professions!

The Big Draw Japan-UK Exchange

**The Exchange: Japan-UK Big Draw 2018**

Activity One: Roots

*Back To Our Roots: Sketching Tree Roots With Charcoal*

The Need To Make A Mark

Since our earliest ancestors began drawing on cave walls, we’ve been wired to express ourselves visually.

We continue to wonder about the meanings behind these, but what is clear is that these messages speak to us of something bigger. The human desire to express, create and communicate.

As children, we reach for a crayon with as much excitement as a tree branch or a swing.

So what happens to us along the way?

The World Economic Forum forecasts that creativity will be in the top three most sought after skills by employers in 2020: the future of work is changing.

Drawing provides an invaluable opportunity for reflection and encouraging independent enquiry in changing times.

An opportunity all too often ignored in the age of the attention economy, with serious consequences on our mental health.

As we move into a new era, perhaps the most innovative thing we can do is draw on our best technology: our imagination.

And so, to kick off our Big Draw event, I encouraged everyone to throw away the words good, bad, art and artist and instead try to channel our ancestors and the instinct to make a mark. Let’s not forget, today’s all about one thing… play!

Exploring Our Roots: Our Tree Root Drawings

Activity 2: A Tree In A Leaf

To me, drawing’s not about making great art: it’s about connecting with yourself, with others and with your place in a bigger picture.

To foster a sense of belonging, I often draw (see what I did there?!) attention to the organic lines found in the natural world.

By sketching these lines – found on leaves, the bark of trees – and observing them closely through the process, you begin to connect to your environment in a different way.

The biggest discovery here is to realise that you’re very much a part of nature – after all, the organic lines found on your own body are not very different from those found on a leaf!

Activity 3: Mural Play

Come together!

One of the best things about drawing, is that while it can be a reflective activity that you can do on your own, it can also be enjoyed with friends!

Connecting through a collaborative mural sparks even more ideas as your lines criss cross and converse – plus you can see the many ways others see things!

I usually make time for the reflective stage and individual drawing at the start, so that each person can have their own time to connect with what they’re drawing and have a think.

I then follow this up with pair work or group work – and this is the beauty of drawing – because you’ve had time to reflect, you feel better prepared to express your thoughts and ideas to others.

Time To See How Our Friends In The UK Are Doing!

Party & Skype Time: Big Draw Japan - UK 2018 — *Party & Skype Time: Big Draw Japan – UK 2018*

A fantastic way to celebrate our Big Draw 2018 event

We raised our glasses (and our group mural!) as we Skyped with artist Hilary Baker and our Big Draw partners in Ruskin Land in Bewdley.

It was also a very special day for one of our Big Drawers – happy birthday Helen!

Thank you all SO much and especially a big thank you to:

Artist Hilary Baker, our partner in the UK, who encouraged, supported and advised and who I’ve had so much fun collaborating with to make this event possible – this all started with one Skype call!

Thank you for inviting us to partner with you Hilary and we look forward to seeing you here in Japan again soon!

Jes Kalled who was working hard on a future article about our event – thank you Jes!

Music Together teacher and wonderful human being, Anneliese Nakahara-Knight, and daughter, Rosa, who helped me on the day picking up boards and transporting our mural!

“Drawing is important because it teaches you how to see.

It sounds crazy, but it does; by drawing something you really see it and that’s the most important thing.”

– Hilary Baker, Our Big Draw 2018 Partner

**Artist Hilary Baker Skyping With Us From Ruskin Land, Bewdley!**

May The Drawing & Cultural Collaborations Continue!

Thank you all for taking part in The Big Draw 2018!

Providing these cross-cultural, art education opportunities – outside the classroom and work place – for the community is something we’ll continue to grow, alongside expanding The Big Draw in Japan, year by year.

Thank you to all those who spread the word, helped us promote the event and provided helping hands on the day!

Big thank you also to our fairy godmother sponsor! (I’ll leave you guessing a little longer…)

3 Ways To Help

To help us on our mission to encourage more people back to the drawing board and help put Japan on the Big Draw map – how could we not have been on it before?! – you can:

Volunteer to be on Our Japan Big Draw Team. Email: info@divyamariekato.com
Write about us or share information on The Big Draw & promoting art education. Use the #’s: #thebigdraw , #play2018 , #bdf18 , #visualliteracy

Vote! Your Votes Will Help Us Grow Events In The Future

For our Big Draw event on the Big Draw website: link here

You get two votes! So you can vote for The Big Draw Japan & The Big Draw Bewdley (they’re connected!)

Links & Resources

Next Tokyo Big Draw Event: October 27th 2019

Email: info@divyamariekato.com to reserve

we were fully booked last year!”

The Big Draw Website: Information, Resources, Meet The Big Draw Patrons & More!

Our Big Draw 2018 Partners:

Ruskin Land Website

Artist Hilary Baker Website

Drawing For Work, Life & Play

Drawing Classes In Person, Atelier Kato, Yoyogi, Tokyo | INFO

Drawing Classes Online, Divya’s Online Drawing School | INFO

Drawing Workshops | INFO

info@divyamariekato.com

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Drawing On October 2018

7th October 2018 By divyamariekato

“If you look around… we are completely surrounded by things that were once sketched out by human hand, human mind and a human heart.”

– Big Draw Patron, Andrew Marr, Journalist & Broadcaster

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Drawing Beyond Borders: The Big Draw 2018

The world’s largest drawing festival returns to Japan with an art event crossing countries, cultures and time zones. October 28th 2018 Yoyogi Park, Tokyo & Ruskin Land, U.K. .

Drawing Together: UK – Japan Big Draw Festival October 28th 2018 | Details & Registration Here

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Art For Hope: Visual Literacy

“Images are very powerful and we need to teach younger people how to use them and at least how to interpret them…

Visual literacy should be taught…where I came from we couldn’t afford any 8mm cameras or anything like that… I drew pictures; I imagined that they moved, but I drew them.”

– Martin Scorsese On The Importance Of Visual Literacy

Art For Hope: Inspiring Articles On Drawing, Art Education & The Value Of Human Expression

For More, Click Here

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Royal Society of Arts Japan Event

RSA JFN Event Ruskin Calling — *RSA JFN Event: Ruskin Calling*

Ruskin Calling: Educating Hands, Heads & Hearts In The Age Of AI

A key area of the RSA’s work is education and working towards “… an education of the head, hand and heart…” but what does this mean in 2018 and could a man born 200 years ago give us some clues?

Fun Fact: Japan holds the largest collection of John Ruskin’s work outside of the U.K.

Event Recap & More About RSA JFN Here

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Illustration For The Curlew Nature Journal

Illustrations in print for my friend and neighbour, Jeremy Hill’s, beautiful piece for The Curlew Nature Journal.

The Curlew is a high-quality, non-profit, printed periodical dedicated to fine writing and illustration about the natural world and supporting conservation. Considered such high quality for its content and production, it is collected by the UK National Poetry Library, the British Library and the National Library of Wales.

The Curlew Nature Journal Website Here

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Upcoming Events:

Tokyo October 28th 2018 3:30-6:30pm Big Draw Japan (click here): A bilateral, UK-Japan art event for the world’s biggest drawing festival

Tokyo November 15th 2018 7pm Drawing Changes Lives: Lakeland University, Shinjuku

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info@divyamariekato.com

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Divya Marie Kato, When In Doubt, Draw

Artist | Drawing | Workshops

Online:
Divya’s Online Drawing School

In Person:
Atelier Kato Tokyo

Commissions & Workshops:
info@divyamariekato.com

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Art Is The Highest Form Of Hope

13th August 2018 By divyamariekato

“Art is the highest form of hope.” – Gerhard Richter

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” – Picasso

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This summer, I’m taking care of a new friend called Modjo (pictured left) and collecting resources for my latest project.

Measuring Human Expression

My current art work is focused on the value of human expression in the age of AI.

How will AI help us humans, how will we help it and what are the pros and cons?

In researching how to calculate human expression vs. AI capabilities, I’ve come across links, articles and all round goodies (being added to all the time so check back often).

Family and friends have shared some with me too. If you’ve found a good one, let me know!

Here’s a selection of powerful pieces, and powerful champions, on:

The importance of the arts

The joy of drawing

What art is for

And the intangible value of human expression.

Get them all by clicking the Art For Hope link below and, if you’d like to join us in person soon, you’ll also find details of upcoming events below, including: