* SACRED COWS

* RIVERSIDE MONTAGE.

* MIKOSAN GLIDING THROUGH THE CROWD

Precious gems of Kyoto.

Fueled by the success of books like Auther Golden's " Memoirs of a Geisha " and the movie it inspired, Kyoto has a thriving Geisha tourism industry. offering tours, an evening with a geiko and a chance to dress up in fabulous costumes of the maiko.

Gion is one of the most famous traditional areas in Japan where maikosan's can still be seen every day walking, tiptoeing delicately through streets unspoiled by the rush of modernization. Sometimes spotted wandering in the quiet old side streets in geisha districts, or " hanamachi " flower towns.

occasionally appearing in busy streets amidst crowds of shoppers and tourists.

From the first time I saw one coming out of a dimly lit doorway and gliding through a dark street in Kamishichiken, the oldest of Kyoto's five geisha districts, her beautiful attire floating past and contrasted by luminous colored lanterns scribed with kanji, I was enchanted.

* PADDY FIELDS............... * ISLAND AND TWO BRIDGES.

* HERON .

I find nothing more tranquil than sitting next to a river on a warm day surrounded by the sound and feelings of nature.
Or wandering up the side observing what the water folk are up to .

* DAY DREAMING INTO THE NIGHT.

A painting done soon after I started living in Kyoto. I wanted to squeeze as many things about Japanese culture into this rectangle as possible.
Things that impressed me like the tradition of appreciating and spending time with the moon.
Delicious and aesthetically attract cuisine displayed in a variety of wonderfully glazed ceramics.

" YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND ! "

" ONLY THREE WISHES ! " Is that all I can have ? and when I've been given them will the Genie be free and vanish ?

Apparently not !

If you trace this story way back in history to its origins you will find that there is no end to the number of wishes a person can have.

Genies also have other names such as ....... Angels ..... Spirit guides ...... Gods ....... Goddesses .....

* CHANGING COLORS.

The changing of colors in the autumn season is always a feast for the eyes and a tantalizing potion for the imagination. Like spring blossom is all too brief. But thats part of its magic that urgently propels you from your cosy interior out into the fresh air after the hot and humid summer .

* TROPICAL FISH.

There are many Batik centers in South East Asia and I spent some enjoyable time working besides local Batik artists in Solo, Java and Cheratin, Malaysia. Cheratin is a small coastal village with a variety of guest houses some in the traditional 'house on stilts' style often essential for the rainy season. There I had a great time working on several batik with the music of the surf and the breeze blowing through the palm trees around me . The sand was a step away and if you turned left and strolled by the ocean you would arrive at Club Med. beaches. Turn right and after a short while you would pass a Cambodian Refugee camp.

* ABOVE AND BELOW STREAM.

A WONDERFUL SIGHT.

Many Japanese lakes, ponds, rivers, streams are inhabited by large shoals of ornamental carp and for many its always a surprise and delight to see these large and powerful fish with their brilliant colors swimming close to the surface .

* WINTER NIGHT AND FULL MOON.

A white landscape and full moon brightening the snow . At last, after a long hike, I can smell the waft of hot coffee in the air and see lights on in my friends house on the hill. The door is open.