Discovering Japan: A Journey of Artistic Inspiration

For my big 40th birthday, my wife surprised me with a trip to Japan—a place I've been talking about since we met. I discovered this surprise with a couple of friends from LA, and everyone was in on it, which made it even more special. The next day, our journey began. 

Landing in Japan was a major culture shock, but I quickly adjusted. The first thing I noticed was the quietness of Tokyo, our first destination. I was immediately struck by the architecture and the beauty of Japanese writing; it was everything I had imagined and more. When we arrived at our hotel, waking up to the Tokyo skyline and seeing Mount Fuji inspired me to create a piece right away. I had brought a canvas from LA specifically for this moment.

Spending two weeks in Japan was a dream come true, made even better by sharing it with my wife and best friend. This trip has forever changed the way I approach my art. I've been deeply inspired by the simplicity yet intricate detail of Japanese art. One thing that stood out to me was the vibrant advertisements in Shibuya—3D installations that I'd never seen before. The city’s bustling yet organized chaos was fascinating.

Inspired by this experience, I hope to bring a sense of organized chaos to my art. There are still so many places in Japan I haven't visited, and I look forward to returning. Japan will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to create more work inspired by this journey. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.