To a pine tree, it takes 18 steps. There are pine tree and Japanese apricot across a pond. From plan to completion, I always come and go between the atelier and trees. Before painting, when I feel nervous, I start sketching. Holding a brush, I go to trees and check their moves. A persimmon is just in front of the atelier, so I go up to the 2nd floor to sketch it. Chinese peppers or a Brazilwood are small, thus I can see them out of the window. When meeting in with trees, I can see that there is a feeling of the air or light. By branches, I express them as dots in white and black.
(By AZAMI Takako)