Inspiration
Medieval Italian City Inspirations
The Medieval cityscapes painted by extraordinary Italian artists have always been a great inspiration to Jean’s architectural paintings. Here’s a detail of Giotto’s fresco of “St Francis Renounces His Inheritance”. Giotto Fresco of St Francis renounces inheritance Inspired by the complex Medieval cities, Jean combined her architectural designs with very different cultural subjects such as…
Read MoreYear of the Sheep/Goat
The Goat, or in some countries, the Sheep or Ram, is the eighth animal in the twelve-year Asian zodiac cycle (see dates below). Smart, kind, easy-going and reserved, those born in the Year of the Sheep/Goat have a love of harmony and prefer co-existence to confrontation. The serene and sincere Sheep or Goat will use…
Read MoreHiroshige Woodblock Inspiration
Ando Hiroshige was a remarkable Japanese artist (1797-1858) who created beautiful woodblock prints. One of his most iconic series of prints was “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo”. Here is “View from Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet, and Sekiya”, 1857. Hiroshige Woodblock Print View from Massaki of Suijin Shrine Jean has always appreciated Hiroshige’s…
Read MoreArts & Crafts: Christmas Decorations
We have been experimenting and creating Christmas decorations using all the wrapping paper and cards that we saved from last year. You will need: any type of emulsion glue; something to glue the paper onto (we chose plastic baubles that had chocolate in them); scissors; and a brush to attach the glue and all the…
Read MoreJean’s Painted Wooden Animals
During a trip to Myanmar (Burma) back in the 70s, Jean bought a set of artisanally crafted, wooden, hand-painted farm animals at a market in Yangon (Rangoon). Burmese dog, cow and horse wooden animals 2021 Back in Seoul, South Korea, where we lived at the time, Jean had the Burmese wooden horse, cow and dog copied…
Read MoreThe Year of the Horse
The Horse is the seventh animal in the twelve-year Asian Zodiac cycle (see dates below). Those born in the Year of the Horse are always in motion on an endless search. The Horse may reach the ‘ends of the universe’, but will, nonetheless, keep moving on. Matilda the Horse and Blueberries by Jean Tori Always…
Read MoreThe Art of the Chair
The chair is a familiar and artistically inspiring every-day-object, found all over the world. Here is one of Jean’s chairs covered in fabric that she hand-painted. Jean has always been inspired to paint chairs as they remind her of past homes and journeys. Here’s an old photograph of a corner of our…
Read MoreKorean Folk Art and Laughing Tigers
Living in Seoul, South Korea, during the early 70s, Jean was introduced to Korean folk art. This style of naïve artwork was very graphic in design. Compositions could be simple or intricately decorated with bright colours and patterns, often portraying humour and satire. Korean folk art was based on Shamanism, a religion that believes that…
Read MoreTeapot Designs
Jean’s many teapot designs are often inspired by her teapot collection, each one different, depending on the type of tea brewing – from Chinese jasmine to English Breakfast to Japanese green tea. Blue teapot III by Jean Tori 2019 There is an art to teapot design and, much like combining the right amount of tea…
Read MoreEvolution of ‘Castle and Olive Trees’ Painting
Jean was commissioned to paint an Umbrian landscape with Antognolla Castle. Using a series of photographs of the castle Jean drew various sketches, which finally resulted in the following drawing. Jean then began to paint the paper canvas creating complex olive tree patterns. Above the olive trees, woods and castle, Jean continued to paint her…
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