Feedback from Readers/Collectors ...

The 'My Solitudes' series is still in its early stages, but feedback is starting to roll in ...

From S. L. : "The book is beautiful. It is better than getting the latest Harry Potter. :-) "

From G. W. : "I sat and read the entire thing this morning. Your absorbing story (almost like a trail journal, but more meditative because you were able to stay in one place and really observe) and print are enchanting as all get-out. I like everything about this project!!!! Tell your bookbinder she did a superb job."

From B. W. : "The print is wonderful and I love being able to interact with the book/print and to tote it around with me. The paper is very cool and beautiful, as well as the stab-binding and overall presentation."

From M. K. : "I'm really impressed with your prose. You capture the essence of communing with nature and very nicely explore the philosophical implications of that experience, relating it to our 'other' existence in the 'real' world.

"I'm mostly pleased with the book, but ... the cardboard backing gives the ehon a stiffness that seems wrong for that traditional style of binding. I think that I would have rather seen some white space around the print and to have the print paper directly bound into the book, eliminating the need for the mounting cardboard. I prefer the soft, flexible feel of the traditional ehon binding."

From J. B. : "As always, everything is beautiful: the book itself, the tactile feel of the paper, the printing of the text and finally, the actual print, which is very, very good indeed. It's great! And, like before, seeing your work on the website is nothing compared to the real thing."

From S. A. : "Just received the booklet and the print (Forest in Autumn). When I looked at it on your website, I was not enthusiastic, but this is a rare instance where the actual print is better than what is on the web. Fantastic night atmosphere! I am so glad I subscribed..... "

From K. A. : "The Solitudes series is quite lovely in that the designs themselves (even viewed in a flat style online, without getting the textural third dimension of the washi) embody that luscious combination of really great illustrative properties of pure line combined with bokashi and rich, rich colour. One of the reasons I like Hasui so much is because of this. Of course, his designs become so engaging (to me) because the viewer is placed almost within the setting, creating such intimacy. This is also happening in your series. 'Forest in Autumn' is pure emotion! The shadow on the upper portion of the tree in the right foreground places me right in the scene. I find that that one small feature grounds me in the setting and allows me to take a breath and then just relax and look around. Very pleasurable!

"But then the washi!! Just when colour and line and great design are loaded up on the page, and more than enough, those beautiful seemingly malleable qualities of woodblock against paper tip it over the top! Your work becomes a sort of jewelry for the eye ..."

From P. B. : "I've received my fourth print from 'Solitudes' and I'd want to congratulate you on the work so far. While I've always admired your work, I feel that this original series surpasses anything you've done in the past. I'm sure it was a huge leap of faith for you to go from recreating masterpieces to producing your own designs, and I'm certain too that your confidence in your own vision is growing. I cannot wait to see the rest of the series."