I loved seeing all of these beautiful stray cats receiving some dry food on a cold day.
Kyoto, Japan
Philosopher’s Walk

Oil pen and watercolor

This is one of the 88 miniature temples on a mountain path behind Ninna-Ji in Kyoto.
I stopped momentarily to catch my breath and do this quick sketch of a charming little six sided temple. This is a mini pilgrimage for those who cannot do the real one on Shikoku. It is called Hachiju Hakkasho and is a lovely hike off the beaten tourist path.

watercolor and oil pen

I have always been fascinated by these stone images in Japan. The peaceful faces, the red bibs and the wool hats are so charming. This group sits in the cemetery of a small temple behind the Kyoto Okura Hotel. I visit them twice a year.

watercolor and oil pen

Cat Cafe cats in Kyoto, Japan.

Oil pen and watercolor

The Yamazaki Distillery near Kyoto, Japan, was one of the most fun places I have ever visited. It is just beautiful inside and out and lies in a gorgeous mountain setting. This is the bar where you can taste a generous portion of three different whiskys made by Suntory; Yamazaki single malt, Hakushu single malt, and the finest whisky currently in the world, Hibiki blended whisky.

More sketching from the book The Tao of Sketching. Then of course I had to add a cat somewhere:))

Playing in my sketchbook while looking through The Tao of Sketching by Qu Lei Lei

This is my little advertisement for Waikiki! Watercolor and oil pen

This is one of the few old style homes that sit at the base of Diamond Head along with upscale mansions that have replaced most of the others. These places catch my eye and today I had my sketchbook to record it.

My friend and I mistakenly entered the men’s outdoor bath early one morning at Osawa Onsen on the Izu Peninsula. We were happily chatting away when a naked man appeared. We politely excused ourselves and left, but I’ll bet he had a good story to tell!