I know this painting is old.
I’m guessing it was painted in 2010.
But that’s a very rough guess.
It could be even earlier.
But I know this place.
It’s a very big park that I often took my children to.
The park and the river are called Nanase.
It is in a region called Wasada which is on the outskirts of Oita city.
It’s a beautiful rural area with a wonderful view of distant mountains.
I’m very happy with this painting.
It has a feeling of summer and joy.
And I enjoy looking at the light and cheerful colors.
My later paintings became much darker.
And the colors of the figures are very good.
I can’t, though, remember this particular trip to the river.
But looking at this painting does stir up memories of happy times at this river.
And this painting makes me wonder how many enjoyable times have sunk below the surface of consciousness and into depths of the unconscious or forgetfulness.
Luckily, I sometimes remember such enjoyable times through old paintings like this one.
Gareth.