Jimba Ittai - Horse and Rider Are One Div. III, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media

This is a complicated and technically difficult piece. I was first inspired by this painting when I was visiting Kamakura, Japan and I accidently found an event depicting riders on horseback at full gallop shooting arrows at stationary targets. Originally, Samari warriors (Archers) were part of the battlefield but would ride not to inflict harm on the opponent but to shoot blunt arrow heads to prove which Samuri was the most skilled on the battlefield. I was particularly impressed with the ability of the rider to balance and hold a bow and still hit the target.
I first began with Watercolor background and then used a Japanese wood block technique (Mokuhanga) to print an outline of a cherry tree. I then used three watercolor cutouts to depict action and position of archer as he drew the bow and was releasing his arrow. The cherry trees were painted with white and pink acrylic paint. The hardest part was getting a strong cherry tree image with the woodblock technique.
The title, Jamba Ittai is a Japanese Philosophy of horse and rider developing a relationship as being one. A natural extension of rider and horse having unity over time.

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