Snow in Shimogamo Shrine
Disclaimer: This article was originally published in the previous host, GoDaddy on January 10, 2025, and has been transferred for preservation.
You may have heard the news, and yes, a snowfall is coming to Dallas. Who could guess that I, a Dallas resident, made a painting about the snow in Kyoto, Japan? Snow in Shimogamo Shrine is my first artwork, completed in 2025. As you can see in the picture, Snow in Shimogamo Shrine depicts the titular shrine during winter with its bold red gateway powdered with fresh white snow and the nearby buildings, bridges, and trees. It is inspired by the iconic Japanese art movement Ukiyo-E.
Ukiyo-E was prevalent throughout the 17th to 19th centuries. Its name originated from the religious context of Buddhism, referring to ephemeral nature and human life. Most art based on the movement commonly depicted subjects of beautiful women in elaborate clothing, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, scenes from history and folklore, travel scenes, landscapes, and nature. Most Ukiyo-E artwork was composed of paintings and woodblock prints, such as the most notable composition, The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831) by Katsushika Hokusai. Although Ukiyo-E art was initially considered "low" by wealthier classes, it holds great significance in craft and techniques. The artwork depicted various themes and stories, including history, fiction, and current events. It also expanded on contemporary innovations, concerns, and tastes, proving art can be populist and highly sophisticated.
Snow in Shimogamo Shrine is not a woodblock print but a painting using watercolor and spots of white acrylic paint. The lines are drawn with a drawing pen. I created this piece to challenge myself to make art based on buildings and structures while depicting the beauty of snow and winter, especially during the holidays. Seeing snow is precious, as there aren't many snowfalls in Dallas. Either we don't get any snow for the entire year or only get snow for just a few hours to a few days. Whenever we get snow, seeing all the houses, trees, and grass covered for a winter wonderland looks magical. Then it's the perfect time to walk around when the snow is still powdering the town, go out sledding, build a snowman or two, make snow angels, have snowball fights, or just watch from the window while drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace. And when it's all over, you may want to gaze at my first 2025 composition portraying the elegances of winter in a distant location.