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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Hallelujah!

June 2, 2017

Happy Friday, my friends! I did it! I did it! I completed my rough art for the next book that's coming out in 2018. Normally, I create digital rough art using only Photoshop brushes like these and these, but I wanted to try a little something different. For this next book's rough art, I used only black watercolor and I enjoyed it so much! It's a different kind of challenge to paint with a single color to create various shades. Surprisingly, it took less time to hand paint than it does to do ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, book, illustration • by sanae • 4 Comments

Happy Friday + Happy Easter

April 14, 2017

Happy Friday! I always start off with an ambitious list of things I'm determined to complete while my mom is here in Seattle. Since my mom is the world's greatest babysitter (Homemade Japanese feasts and treats! Art lessons! Never-ending willingness to play board games and charades!), I feel a certain amount of pressure to get as much work done as possible. And every time, I don't even make a dent in my list and throw in the towel mid-week. As far as spring break goes, it's been mellow and ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 8 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 31, 2017

  Happy Friday! A while ago, I created a coloring book for K's school event and this was one of the pages of the book, inspired by the Seattle Japanese Garden. I've got all things Japanese on my mind because we are spending a couple of weeks in the land of the rising sun this summer. Super super super super excited!! My predominant thought is: I have to make clothes! My wardrobe has been whittled down to nothing these days and the situation is quite alarming. I love planning ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration • by sanae • 7 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 10, 2017

Happy Friday! The other day K looked at me and said, "I don't know why, Mama, but I think your spirit animal is a donkey." At first, I was thrown off because Eeyore came immediately to mind. Later, I did a little research and I think I'm in love with donkeys. Did you know that contrary to common perception, donkeys are extremely intelligent? And that they're not easily startled and are super strong? They have a well-developed sense of self-preservation (which accounts for their stubbornness) ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 22 Comments

My next book! Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet

February 21, 2017

Hello, my friends! I know that updates here have been sporadic and unpredictable these days, but I have a pretty good reason. I've been deeply involved in book-making fun and my hours are spent dreaming up stories and images for the printed page. When I startle back into "real life", I'm amazed to realize that days and weeks have passed. I'm SUPER excited to share the next book in what is now the Little Kunoichi series!!!!!!! Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet is already available for preorder but ... Read more

Filed in: book, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 24 Comments

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SHIBUI: THE JAPANESE ART OF FINDING BEAUTY IN AGIN SHIBUI: THE JAPANESE ART OF FINDING BEAUTY IN AGING won an award! Thank you, @nautilusbookawards — what an honor! 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 @sasquatchbooks
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