Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota

I was privileged to have the opportunity to see the phenomenal "Kimono as Art" exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art last night in a special showing for local artists. Thanks so much to Arts in Stark for arranging the special showing and reception! I found myself completely speechless as I viewed this amazing exhibit, and even found myself with tears in my eyes at the virtuosity. I have seen exhibits at large museums in New York, Washington, Houston, Cleveland, Atlanta, etc., but I have NEVER seen something like this. Being totally void of articulation to adequately describe the experience, I am going to reprint a blog from friend Todd Walburn, co-owner of Second April Galerie, who was able to put it into words. Thanks Todd!

Kimono As Art by Todd Walburn

OK....I'll admit it. I was one of the ones thinking that the Kimono as Art exhibit was going to be one of those over-hyped art events that come and go without making much of an impact on the community in the long run. I can't help it if I'm cynical. It's just the way I am.

Even tonight, as I got ready to go to see the exhibit, I was excited but wasn't sure exactly what I might take away from the experience in the long run. I never studied Japanese art or culture and know very little about fiber art so I felt like I might feel a bit like a fish out of water.

Then I saw it.

Kimono As Art is not simply about art. It is so much more than the pieces you see before you as you walk through the galleries of The Canton Museum of Art and marvel at the beauty of these miraculous works. Kimono As Art is what Art is. It is about the talent, courage, tenacity and craft of the artist. It is a life-affirming glance at one person's vision and his ability to bring that vision to life.

This simply is something everyone should see. It reminds you of why artists do what they do. It illuminates the power of human beings to accomplish what others say would be impossible. It is beautiful far beyond my power to explain and it makes you feel fortunate to be living in a community that can offer such an experience.

I have always believed that great art has the ability to change the way we see the world and our place in it. This is really great art. I feel refreshed and blessed beyond my wildest imaginings. Yes, even a cynic like me.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

Thought for the Day

Love the earth and sun and animals,
Despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks,
Stand up for the stupid and crazy,
Devote your income and labor to others...
And your very flesh shall be a great poem.

Walt Whitman

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

See the Canton Arts District's Favorite Cat at Canton's First Friday!

From Brewskie Butt, official spokescat of Art Adventures Studios...

Hello All! Brewskie Butt here! You have heard the radio announcer--I am the Canton Arts District's favorite cat! Come see me at Canton, OH's First Friday (Feb. 9, 6-10pm) wearing my Ki-meow-nos in celebration of the big Kimono exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art! Or at least see pictures of me--I will be watching the festivities from my window perch. My person BZTAT will be selling pictures of me and other art at Art Adventures Studios at 336 4th St. NW. You can get your very own Ki-meow-no key chain! Raise a paw and give me a Meow-out as you visit the greatest arts district in the country!

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

"Anonymous Feline Spirits"

Updated 7/18/09

My cat paintings are usually very personalized, displaying feline creatures with highly individualized character. People often comment that they "know" the subjects of my paintings, reminiscing about felines who have touched their lives in some way. I generally use a brightly colored palette with a wide range of deep, contrasting colors.

The paintings in my "Anonymous Feline Spirits" series, however, are different. These cats are very nondescript and impersonal, and the palette is restricted to just a few colors. These cats look ghost-like with no distinguishing characteristics. They are anonymous spirits instead of "knowable" beings.


The difference is purposeful. I wanted to use this series to go a little deeper into an animal welfare issue rather than simply painting some fun cat paintings, as I usually do.

As blessed as I am to have four wonderful felines who share their home with me, I know that there are many cats who do not have homes. Many cats roam the streets or countryside after being dumped by careless people or by being born to un-neutered and un-spayed feral animals. Rather than develop spay/neuter programs that would successfully manage and reduce feral cat populations, many communities adopt barbaric trap/kill programs that actually perpetuate the problem of "nuisance" animals. My community is one of those.

Each day, a number of cats are picked up off the streets of my city Canton, OH, and these cats typically are destroyed immediately by so-called animal welfare officials. Few people know or care about this practice, truthfully. The cats are anonymous to us, and we like to pretend that they are not being extinguished from our world. But they are being extinguished, and it is totally unnecessary.


Allowing spayed and neutered cats to remain in designated colonies is a much more effective manner of managing a city's feral cat population, as it allows the cats to chase off interlopers, and it inhibits further population growth. Yet communities tend to disbelieve this counter-intuitive concept, and they dedicate precious resources to trap/kill programs instead. Rather than giving cats a chance at quality life, communities tend to take a hard line with homeless cats, rendering them as unknown lost spirits instead of allowing them to remain viable living creatures.

Not only is it cruel to the animals, it is useless in the process of containing the feral cat population. When one cat is taken off the street, many others take its place. With spay/neuter programs and contained cat colonies, however, the population controls itself.

As I have recently become more aware of the efforts of local and national animal rescue groups, I have been moved by the lack of regard shown to feral and other stray cats by our communities. I have felt a pain in my heart for the unnecessary loss of domesticated animals, and I have felt outraged by the lack of responsibility that civic leaders have shown in managing the problem of homeless pets.

My sense of loss and outrage inspired these paintings. The anonymity of these painted felines confronts us with the truth of our avoidance of the issue. My hope is that others will relate to those feelings and appeal to their civic leaders to address this problem proactively.

The "Anonymous Feline Spirits" series is a group of four acrylic on wood paintings, each approximately 12" X 20". They are on display at Art Adventures Studios in Canton, OH and can be purchased here.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.