The Japanese word haiga can be broken into two syllables. The first, hai,
derives from haiku. The second, ga, means painting. Traditionally a haiga
consists of a spare ink-brushed sketch and a calligraphed haiku rendered
on the same sheet of paper, often mounted on a cloth scroll for display.
Haiga emerged as a unique art form in 17th century Japan. Like haiku, it
transformed as it spread from continent to continent.
My haiga are rendered in ink, watercolor, and organic pigment on paper.
Measuring 16x20" framed, they are surrounded by the unique suminagashi
marbling of Tom Leech, master printer at the Press of the Palace of the
Governors, Santa Fe. They have been exhibited at the New Mexico History
Museum, Santa Fe; at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, Roswell; at the
Durango Arts Center, Durango; and at the San Francisco Public Library.
New Mexico History Museum
