I wanted very much to put forth something that may be of help to the country. I used my grandfather's sumi ink in these works. (I was saving it for a special project.) Japan is in my heart, and my heart is with the Japanese people.

-- Miya Ando

Following our March fundraising for the American Red Cross, I am deeply honored to bring you another opportunity to help Japan with two new inspiring editions from New York artist Miya Ando, each one benefiting Direct Relief International, an organization dedicated to relief efforts in wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Two months exactly after the earthquake, Japan's devastation is still overwhelming, and less in the media spotlight. That is why we feel it’s even more important to continue to support their efforts to rebuild. So when Miya approached us with the idea of creating two special benefit editions and donating all of her proceeds to Direct Relief International, we felt honored to support her.

Stemming from Miya’s paintings on steel and commemorative public projects, hamon drawing [meditation 1] and hamon drawing [meditation 2] are tranquil companions that promote peaceful contemplation and introspection.

A descendant of Bizen sword makers, Miya was brought up in two worlds: a Buddhist temple in Okayama, Japan, among swordsmiths-turned-priests and the coastal environment of Santa Cruz, California. This melding of ancestral serenity and craft, West Coast sensibility, and an apprenticeship under master metalsmith Hattori Studio of Okayama forged a skillful set of hands and spiritual frame of mind.

Horizontal and vertical marks featured prominently throughout Miya’s steel-and-aluminum pieces are reflective of the horizon at dusk and its transition into night. Understanding these inspirations, it makes perfect sense that her name translates to “beautiful night”.

Miya approached these special editions with the same sensitivity and dedication she brings to all her artworks. In her steel pieces, she uses fire, acids, and patinas to create the subtle gradients reminiscent of those seen in hamon drawing [meditation 1] and hamon drawing [meditation 2]. You can see the intensity of her process for yourself in this video excerpt.

For these editions, what began as experimentation with powdered nickel, graphite, and the cherished Sumi ink inherited from her grandfather, resulted in numerous studies to choose from, each simple in form but pure in nature. Our final selection of images were carefully picked because of their ability to evoke what we immediately felt about Miya’s art: a sense of harmony, embellished with delicate stains of color.

Both of these specially created editions, hamon drawing [meditation 1] and hamon drawing [meditation 2], are available in two sizes: 14 x 11 inches (edition of 250) for $50 and 20 x 16 inches (edition of 100) for $200. Plus, as a special touch to express her gratitude for your purchase, Miya has stamped each certificate of authenticity with her personal Japanese signature seal in red ink.

ABOUT DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL

Direct Relief International provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. They work to strengthen the in-country health efforts of their partners by providing essential material resources - medicines, supplies, and equipment.