Iku Oseki

Painting and Drawing in Mixed Media

studio: #22, 6 Vernon Street, 2nd floor
web: www.wix.com/ikuoseki/portfolio
email : ikuoseki@gmail.com

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statement

Many of my paintings start with sketches in a technique called blind contour, done directly on a previously background-painted canvas. In this technique, the artist is looking at the object to be drawn without looking at the drawing itself. I use thick oil pastel or permanent marker so that every mark I make stay visible. It is also important that the line is continuous, ideally without being broken by the lifting of the drawing tool. I draw very slowing, following the object’s contour with my eyes while my hand moves along with what I am seeing.

I paint anything that speaks to me. If it is an object, I am often drawn to ones with complex structure that give me some challenges in doing blind contour. I also enjoy working with human forms and faces. Photographs in media such as newspaper, magazines, internet, etc. with striking portraiture often catch my eyes. The technique of blind contour allows me to work with the same source repeatedly with very different results. In addition, I have long been interested in pre-Columbian history and the indigenous people of the Americas. I visit Mexico frequently and love the culture and the land. These interests often influence subject matter as well.