A Walk in Miyagawa
With the latest art exhibition “Home & Heart – local love stories” behind me, I decide to indulge myself with a Kyoto drawing – just for the sheer love of it.
Miyagawa is one of Kyoto’s five geisha districts. I was last there in November 2019 and this drawing is from a photo I took during that trip.
I like spending time in Miyagawa as it is quiet. Just ten minutes’ walk north, the better-known geisha district of Gion is heaving with tourists eagerly (and sometimes brutally) trying to intercept maiko and geiko (geisha) for photos.
Below are three older drawings from Miyagawa; each portrays a rear view. I love drawing the kimono ensemble from behind, while pictorially, a retreating figure guides the viewer into the scene.
Timeless Miyagawa – as I draw the scene, so I am also drawn in.
Julie Podstolski - Abstract Realism 
Absolutely mind boggling to believe they are drawings and not photographs, but on the other hand no camera could have the same impact as your magnificent work. Thanks Julie
Thank you, Marian, for your lovely words. In real life the drawings look better than they do on a screen. One of the reasons is that the photos I take of the drawings don’t pick up their subtleties. Even when professionally scanned the reproductions produced aren’t as rich as the original drawings.
Hard to believe they are even better than they appear on the screen, as they look perfect to me but l get what you’re saying of course. You must get the greatest joy creating such masterpieces 🛐☯️🕉
Great joy sometimes and great frustration at others. Always lots of problem-solving to be done as well. It is a mixed bag.
From where l’m sitting the rewards far outweigh the frustration, but only you can truly know. Keep creating for the joy of others as well as your own Julie. Thank you 💖
Oh I agree; the rewards far outweigh the frustration – or I would have given up years ago.
💖 and whenever l’m tempted to throw in the towel l look at your creations and they drive me on. Thank you Julie.
This is so rich and perfectly balanced. It warms my heart…and fills it with dreams. Such beauty.
Ahh yes, that’s mesmerising Kyoto.
I can see how much you enjoyed doing this, there is such a lovely warmth and richness to the colours. Interesting to compare it to your earlier works too, with the softer focus that actually gives the viewer more to think about and explore I think. I particularly like how the street light breaks the intense blue of the night sky.
Ahh yes, those street lights. I did enjoy working on them and sending their glow into the night sky.
So lovely , Julie , no wonder you enjoy doing them .
Coincidentally , your pictures came through on Minoru’s birthday so I sent them through to him .
Love , Judy .
Ahh, very good timing! That was nice of you to send to Minoru in Kyoto.