Jay on tree branch 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson’s “Jay on Tree Branch” feels suspended in time and space, like a daydream realized in muted tones. I imagine Koson, brush in hand, carefully building up layers of ink to capture the delicate balance between the bird's stillness and the rustling leaves. He must have been a keen observer of nature. Look at the way he captured the texture of the feathers! The muted palette suggests a quiet morning, the grey-scale emphasizing the subtle variations in tone and texture. You can feel the artist’s hand in the gentle curves of the branches, each leaf carefully rendered, as if Koson wanted to freeze this fleeting moment in time. In much the same way I build up layers and rework paintings, Koson's piece is a testament to the power of observation and quiet contemplation. It reminds me that painting is a conversation, an ongoing dialogue between the artist, the subject, and the viewer.