Klimop Possibly 1909

Kamisaka Sekka made this print, Klimop, with woodblock. There's something so satisfying about how the artist let the process lead, you can see each mark of the woodcut and the layers of color. The texture of the paper adds to the feeling that you’re looking at something handmade, not manufactured. Look at the way the muted browns and greens of the branches contrast with the pops of red and yellow in the leaves. It's not about perfection; it's about capturing a feeling, an essence. In the upper right corner, see how the bare branches fade into the background? It's a gentle reminder that everything is connected, constantly shifting and changing. This embrace of imperfection reminds me of the work of Albert Oehlen, who similarly allows for accidents and chance encounters within the process of his painting. It's like they're both saying, "Art is not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions."