Interested in purchasing art work? Please leave a comment with your email address. I'll contact you. Illustration work is available at ASA "Style File."

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! "謹賀新年"! 2021年もよろしくお願い致します。

An American friend sent the lovely message.
"Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. 
With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream.
If you have hope, you have everything." 
Thank you for support. I’d grow as an artist and a person. 2021,がんばりましょう. ()すこと久しきは、飛ぶこと必ず高し ー伏久者飛必高ー菜根譚 後集76. The sunrise to you! Friends, let's create and produce lots in 2021!




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Sunday, December 27, 2020

Developing Images in Picture Book Illustration

Based on the firstly sketched red house, I enjoyed developing the snowy images into a realistic scene and an illustration! This process is much like a "Colour Rough" called in picture book illustration. If the image conveys the atmosphere, it's successful. First, I created the landscape after snowing. Don’t ask me if Dundas Valley has snow. 

The original image is here. A red house on an open field was very appealing in Dundas Valley in 2018. Ants bit me. Only a soft breeze talked to me. A quiet and rich afternoon.

The original image inspired me to create the night scene, below. I explored images.  In this illustration, I added a character, a rabbit. “The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth. – Jean Cocteau.” Imagination and creativity are our wings. Let's have fun. 
Friends, Stay Safe and Happy Painting at home!
Thank you for visiting and encouragements. 



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Thursday, December 24, 2020

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all! Let’s enjoy a festive season! (*Santa on Boxing Day) Thank you very much for your support. With your incessant cheers, I could have a very fruitful 2020 against the pandemic.

A Christmas card came to me from an precious American friend. The card tells me about "Hope," so lovely... The friend always cheers me up. 
"Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. 
With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream. 
If you have hope, you have everything." 
The card is printed in Cancer Centre. Stay safe and well, Friends!






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Monday, December 14, 2020

Sadami's May Gibbs Fellowship moved to Oct 2022

My May Gibbs Fellowship is rescheduled to Oct in 2022 due to the Covid restrictions. I greatly appreciate May Gibbs Institution’s support and you, friends’ encouragement.


This gum tree always gives me joy. Gum trees are a part of our identity, which represents May Gibbs’ work. 
Gumnut babies may come up? Hello, babies!!
Friends, stay positive, safe and happy. Let's enjoy life and drawings! 
Thank you for support and encouragement. 
Full of sunshine. Our summer is always beautiful, lively and vivid.




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Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Pears, Yuko Nagayama Online Course

In the subjects, a pear and a pasta plate, Yuko Nagayama taught us how to draw a plate mathematically and meticulously. She passionately talked about the importance of drawing skills. Drawing skills are equivalent to a person's car driving skills which allows a person to go anywhere she wants to go in work. Another interesting topic was the variation of greys mixed by other colours. Me, too, studying greys to create the harmony in work.  The participants were required to submit fruits and a plate. I'm enjoying biting pears! Sweet and yum! 
Friends, Happy Painting. Take care and stay safe in the pandemic. 




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Monday, November 30, 2020

Waves at Narrabeen

I sketched waves at Narrabeen in 41’ C. Strong winds broke the wave heads. Btw, ah, heaven, a big and cool watermelon slice from an esky! I love capturing the movement of waves and its colours. The beauty of life I feel in nature and an ocean. Friends, let’s enjoy life and drawing!




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Thursday, November 26, 2020

Eucalyptus' Flowers

We, Australians love gum trees or eucalyptus. We, participants required to work on white flowers in Yuko Nagayama's workshop. To find white gum tree flowers was not hard like white  bottle brushes. So, here we go! A bit tricky and hard to depict it. Bees and birds enjoy honey. 
Btw it's wonderful that Yuko's workshop has opened up my eyes and inspired my hands for flowers and still life! I've begun to enjoy background, too. 

Often we see eucalyptuses grow to very tall, 30 to 60 m high. We rest under the shades and enjoy picnic in cool breeze in a summer.  Now, we're getting into a summer, full of sunshine. Let's enjoy sunshine. 
Friends, take care in pandemic. Stay safe. 




   


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Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Yuko Nagayama Online Workshop #2

In the subjects, flowers in a glass cup, Yuko Nagayama taught us how to handle a background as well as the subject. The participants were required to submit white flowers. I chose our native flowers, bottle brushes. But it was a bit hard work to find the white bottle brushes. 

Lovely, Yuko demonstrated the procedures and the any colours could be background that wiped off a narrow colour theoretical approach. Rather, she embraced emotions in an individual. Thank you very much, Yuko! You respect each participant and encourage us to be what we are. "You don't need to draw better (than others). Draw your own style and enjoy it!" I perfectly agree with her. 

Now, I'd like to "enjoy" painting a background. I've got interest in still life or flowers for the first time in my life!  
I look forward to the final session, a third one.  Friends, Happy Painting!     


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Sunday, November 8, 2020

Joe Biden Wins US Presidential Election

People's choice has masked off the direction to go. Congrats to Joe Biden and USA! His daughter is a social worker that has impressed me much. I hope he will understand people's pain and advocate the disadvantage in a difficult time. We wish the very best to America's future. 




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Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Sean Connery, James Bond Actor Dies

Sean Connery dies, best known for his role of James Bond, 007 series in movies. Once, we discussed about the absence of a super idol or a cultural icon in sociology at uni. Sean could be one of the idols who symbolised time and embodied cultures. For the time is there is a changing. Btw, Scotland's national flower is a thistle. 

The Spy Who Loved Scotland







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Sunday, October 25, 2020

Old Couple at Bus Stop

An old couple has the beauty of life and marriage, I feel. They share ups and downs in lives to today. My setting is rain and a bus stop. In general, any old couple's caring tells me love and a “life long story.” The same is true of old people, too. So, I often ask them to be my models. I’d like to create picture books on an old couple in the future. 

Technically, I enjoyed soft edges and wet in wet in this illustration. I'd explore watercolour more. Friends, Happy Watercolour and Illustration! 




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Monday, October 19, 2020

Fruits, Yuko Nagayama Online Course #1

Friends, pandemic is the chance to grow and try online workshops.  Very happy to attend my admiring world leading watercolourist Yuko Nagayama's course.  An online workshop was my first experience. I want to grow. Her say most touched me was, "Life! When life comes up in work, it’s a beauty.” Lovely. I'm learning from A to Z. We studied about materials, how to draw such as the importance of observation, value study, colour mixture, colour use etc, etc in two hours. 

I enjoyed painting apples after Zoom. Thank you very much, Yuko.  She encourages me so much. Two more sessions to go! Happy, Happy Painting. 


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Sunday, October 11, 2020

Finalist, Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize

Honoured and very happy. My work, "Publisher Helen Chamberlin" was selected as a finalist in the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize. Biennial, included in prominent portraitists. $10,000 for a winner, open to Australia wide, acquisitive in Lismore Regional Gallery. The judge, the artist Abdul Abdullah. The exhibition from 7 Nov 2020 to 31 Jan 2021. I still can’t believe it. Helen has only encouraged me and let me draw her freely for ages. Oh, thank you for Helen, supporters and you, all the friends. 

Friends and I had a chat over the reluctance of try such as competitions yesterday. I prefer a "try" to only being awkwardly awaiting. Eventually it'll waste my time. Of course, I have and had hesitancy and fear. I look back my life story. When was at the turning point of my life to chose art or not, I told myself "Only once we can live on the earth. Do what I want to do!" I was fortunate that many people gave me support. When I put the work into prizes, to my surprise, it got in them. Particularly, a psychology lecturer at uni said, "You got the prizes. What's more do you need to prove your talents? Sadami, go this direction, arts!" If I get in prizes, I was lucky. Celebrate it. If I do not get in, I was myself, precious. Celebrate it. Both results are good to me! 
Friends, a sky is wide and blue. Let's go in every direction in our lives. Happy Painting! 

 


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Sunday, October 4, 2020

Love your Bookshop Day

Love your Bookshop Day in Booktober or October. I ordered books at "Books Illustrated"! https://www.booksillustrated.com.au/  Ann James and Ann Haddon have promoted Australian picture books and creators through projects, events and exhibitions in Australia and overseas. Thank you, Ann, Jess!! You're our superheros and a motor engine in our industry. 
Friends, enjoy reading and painting! 




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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Make Dreams Come True

"Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true,"-- Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I believe so, too. I've moved my May Gibbs fellowship to next Oct because of the pandemic. I'm working on the new picture book project that requires research, critical analyses of collected raw data and writing. I will make my dream come true! Friends, thank you for support.





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Sunday, September 27, 2020

Eryldene, Camellia Garden

Eryldene is the most exquisite place, they say. 
Quite an interesting and inspiring man, Prof Waterhouse was a linguist and expert of the camellia! He co-founded the Australian and New Zealand Camellia Research Society. His house is designed to look along camellias, a temple, a fountain and a tennis court etc. Click this map. https://www.ticketebo.com.au/the-eryldene-trust/eryldene-open-weekend-sat-11-july.html Camellias are very popular and common in Japan, do you know?  


Prof Waterhouse’s enthusiasm of camellias is inspiring. He started studying Japanese in 80s and conquered it! I know a Japanese art dealer who mastered French because it was the lingua franca in an international art market. It’s never too late to study.  
Friends, never give up and let's try to reach stars : watercolour painting, portraits, picture book illustration, whatever.  
Happy painting all the time! 

 


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Sunday, September 20, 2020

Hard Aport!

As if boats were our lives in the ocean. I, as a captain, want to sail across a stormy sea even on a tiny boat. A dear friend says, "Hope you take plenty of sea sickness tablets. Lovely boat though."  Good point! I'll keep her advice in my mind, because I easily get sick even on a ferry. The rusted boat and the reflection were charming, btw! 

It was lovely to sketch together. I love watercolour painting. 
Friends, Happy Painting! And we will get through this pandemic. Take care and stay safe.  




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Monday, September 14, 2020

Cherry Blossoms, Buds, Spring

We, Australians enjoy spring. Cherry blossoms, plum trees and apricots are full bloom in a park. Buds can't hold their joy. Full of life in a joyful sunshine even in the pandemic. I remembered the Japanese word, “桜吹雪” (*sakura-fubuki). It means “cherry blossom snowstorm,” as if, like a storm, so many petals were dancing in the spring winds.  
Melbourne has experienced the outbreak as well as elsewhere in the world. But we will never give up. Friends, take care and stay safe! We will get through this tough time. 

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Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Libby Hathorn Awarded for Lady Cutler Award 2020

Congrats, my author, Libby Hathorn received Lady Cutler Award 2020!! So happy. An award-winning author, poet and librettist. She wrote more than 80 books for children and young people, translated into several languages and adapted for stage and screen for 50 years. What an honour and privilege, I've been working with Libby! She always supports me. Libby, you're shinning!!

Picture of Libby Hathorn



Libby Hathorn announced as the 2020 recipient of the LADY CUTLER AWARD. The Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Branch is pleased to announce that Libby Hathorn has been chosen as the 2020 recipient of the LADY CUTLER AWARD. Libby Hathorn is an award-winning author, poet and librettist. She is the author of more than eighty books for children and young people. Many of her books have been translated into several languages and adapted for stage and screen. Throughout her work run themes of positive self-esteem in children, importance of the strength and fragility of family, fun and glory in nature, all threaded through with the power of kindness and empathy in our lives.
Over the decades Libby has generously shared her love of literature with children, teachers, and the community. Through workshops, conferences, festivals and school visits Libby has promoted the importance of story, the valuing of books and libraries all with Australian stories at heart. She has continually sought to raise the standard of literature through both her own work and teaching and mentoring others; from teaching at Sydney University to reaching out to remote communities via video conferencing or in person as an Australia Day Ambassador for over 20 years. Libby has carried the message of the diversity and vibrance of Australian children’s literature far beyond Australia, providing curriculum materials in Africa, Nepal and India. Libby is devoted to ‘spreading the word’ about poetry. She has developed documentaries on poets in association with the State Library of NSW and is currently working on a World Poetry collection encompassing many international voices as well as new picture storybooks. Her work has won honours in Australia, United States, Great Britain and Holland including the Alice Award for her body of work, and the Asher Prize alongside Honour and Notable books in the Children’s Book of the Year Awards run by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA).
The Lady Cutler Award commemorates the contribution to the Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Branch by its former patron, Lady Helen Cutler, and is presented for Distinguished Service in the field of Australian Children’s Literature.
Libby will receive this award in Sydney at a celebratory event to be held on November 21st, 2020. Plans remain fluid due to COVID 19 restrictions. Please refer to cbcansw.org.au for details closer to the date. For a complete list of Libby’s books, awards and other details click here. About the Award The Lady Cutler Award is a bi-ennial award, administered by the CBCA NSW Branch, for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature. It commemorates the contribution to the Children’s Book Council NSW Branch by Lady Helen Cutler, its first patron, accepting the appointment in 1966, when her husband Sir Roden Cutler became Governor of New South Wales. Lady Cutler continued as Patron of the CBCA NSW Branch until her death in 1990. Lady Cutler saw her role as one of service to the community. She recognised the needs of children and encouraged CBCA NSW Branch members to advance the cause of children’s literature throughout the state. While many have made a significant contribution in this area, their work was often unrecognised, so, in 1981 the CBCA NSW Branch, headed by then President, Eddie Coffey inaugurated the Lady Cutler Award, with sponsorship from Hodder & Stoughton. From 2012 the award came full circle with Eddie Coffey taking up the sponsorship in the name of his company, Peribo The Award consists of: A framed certificate;A cameo (brooch or pendant) The recipient’s name engraved on the base of the perpetual trophy, a Wedgewood vase, and have the honour of retaining the vase until the succeeding award presentation. Nominations should be submitted on the Official Nomination form. Please read the Advice to Nominators & Criteria carefully.

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Monday, August 31, 2020

Australian Landscape

I love our rural areas where winds dance and clean water shines under sunshine. Sketching landscapes boosts up our spirits and makes us happy. Friends, let's go outside and enjoy sunshine. A good antidote to this pandemic. Happy painting! 

XVI. The Wind   Emily Dickinson
It's like the light, —
A fashionless delight
It's like the bee, —
A dateless melody.
It's like the woods,
Private like breeze,
Phraseless, yet it stirs
The proudest trees.
It's like the morning, —
Best when it's done, —
The everlasting clocks
Chime noon.



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Monday, August 24, 2020

My Work Won ParaArt Award

My work, "The Song of Life," is awarded for ParaArt Tokyo among wonderful art works from 37 countries! Oh, so happy!! I can't believe it. https://virtualgallery.paraart.jp/2020/winner/ It gives me confidence and energy to create more and keep up rehab. がんばります
All the finalists' works were brilliant and amazing. Anyone could be winners. Friends, thank you very much for support and encouragement. 
Happy Painting!  

ParaArt 2020
"Art Overcomes Disabilities and National Borders"
Sponsors : Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
The Agency for Cultural Affairs,Tokyo Metropolitan Government,The Japanese Red Cross Society, 
Japan UNICEF Committee, The People’s Republic of China Embassy, Korean Embassy.





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Monday, August 17, 2020

The high tide and waves at a pier

Friends and I encouraged each other in the pandemic! It was lovely to sketch together under sunshine...and in a chill wind?! Nice to have chats, keeping a social distance. In the afternoon, a coming high tide fascinated me.
In the morning, I sketched a pier in a low tide for a value study. The sketch came up boring, in my eyes and the subject looked small. I asked myself, "What do I want to say in this sketch?" The value study sketch helped me to think of composition and colours. I went to the other side of a pier, and then, picked up mainly the interesting subjects, waves and a boat. 
Friends, take care and stay safe in a pandemic! We will get through this tough time. 



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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature's Great Work

How can we achieve the public access of our Australian children literature in the world? What about cataloguing our translated books into other languages? Here, please put hands together for National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc’s hard work!! *These photos are courtesy of NCACL's facebook post. See below, many Japanese tittles on the upper shelf and many Korean titles on the second shelf. I sent their post to my sciolinguists team, "Language on the Move."
A second photo shows the picturebooks waiting for being identified and classified in their languages.
NCACL’s rare and important collections are 4700 Australian books translated into 65 languages and countries of origin. Not only are these an important part of authors’ and illustrators’ body of work, but they also reflect the global impact of Australian children’s literature and the universality of stories.
*This picturebook is translated into Chinese.

*Measuring, categorising, etc, etc, hard and painstaking work!

*This book is translated into Italian.
To achieve the public access of the critical collection and its catalogue, NCACL needs a financial supports and understanding from other countries' Embassies. Also, it is essential to collaborate CAVAL, Cooperative Action by Victorian Academic Libraries in Melbourne.
I’d so much appreciate NCACL’s great work!
Lovely to get sweet feedback from NCACL. These unknown and silent work has supported our Australian literature and publication in the world. Please applause to the staff and volunteers! Friends, when you read children's literature and young adult books, please think of this behind scene job. Thank you very much!  

National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. Sadami, you are absolutely wonderful! We appreciate your support so much, and a sociolinguistics team sounds marvellous. We take great pride in translations and eagerly hunt them down, ask publishers and authors and illustrators, such as yourself, to help whenever they can.
Sadami Konchi National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. Oh, I'll delightedly help you when I make time and in my ability.

Sadami Konchi Thank u very much NCACL, your hard and important work!! I share this post and will have a chat with our sociolinguistics team, "Language on the Move." https://www.facebook.com/languageonthemove/ I heartily hope you will gain more financial resources and broad and deep public understanding of your critical work😍.


Language on the Move

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Saturday, August 8, 2020

World Cat Day

Today is a world cat day. The purrfect day to celebrate your feline friend. Right now, Melbournians are in lockdown, having a tough time. Let us stay strong and safe in this pandemic. 
   
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Monday, August 3, 2020

Tea Tree Gully Library reads My Dog Socks for YouTube!

Thank you very much for Tea Tree Gully Library. They read out "My Dog Socks" written by Robyn Osborne, illustrated by Sadami Konchi for Virtual Storytime! 

A story is the bond between a boy and his dog, Socks. Socks is by turns brave, intrepid, greedy and mischievous, which humorously implies different other animals' features. They overlap the nature of dog, too. Watch out of Socks' shadows in illustration. Kids, enjoy this book with your parents and teachers! (The eight libraries are Chelsea, Cheltenham, Clarinda, Dingley, Highett, Moorabbin, Parkdale, Patterson, Lakes Westall.) 
I heartily hope this site will bring children smile and laugh in this pandemic.  Friends, Happy Painting and Reading!  


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