“all that I am” incorporates "asemic" or made-up writing by my young nephew, book pages, a fern print, a vintage Japanese letter, and washi papers from Japan. I painted the papers, then tore and glued them onto cradled birch panel. The original is 11x14. This is one of the pages of my 2023 calendar of haiku and art.

Fall is definitely upon us. At home we’ve started making wood fires on these crisp mornings and evenings. The leaves on our Mount Fuji cherry trees are turning a deep gold—a less celebrated but still beautiful phase of their year.

all that I am
still unfolding
cherry tree in autumn

Meanwhile, I’ve been gearing up for the holiday season. I’ve produced new boxed notecard sets and delivered my new cards and 2023 calendars to local stores.

As a Halloween treat, I’m offering 20% off everything in my Makino Studios shop until midnight on Monday, October 31st. There is no minimum order—just use code TREAT.

For another goodie, I’m sharing a rengay on the theme of Halloween written with one of the haiku poets I mentor, Aaron Samuel. (A rengay is a linked sequence of two and three-line haiku usually written by two or three poets.)

We had a lot of fun taking turns writing the verses. I’m curious to hear if this brings up any memories of your own past Halloweens.

All Hallow's Eve

cloudy skies
toilet paper ghosts
sway from the trees

electric candles flicker
behind the pumpkin's eyes

blood moon
a thumb-sucking Dracula
hides behind her mummy

technicolor blood
the horror movie plays on
in my dreams

in the dark woods
teens meet for grownup treats

jack-o-lantern grin
the one-eyed pirate
sorts his loot

Aaron Samuel
Annette Makino

Happy Halloween!

“all that I am” published in Modern Haiku, Issue 52.1, Winter-Spring 2021
All Hallow’s Eve published in Failed Haiku, Volume 7, Issue 39, June 2022

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Makino Studios News

Rabbit notecards read, “peace on earth, goodwill to all creatures.”

20% off through Halloween: Use promo code TREAT at checkout for 20% off everything in the Makino Studios shop except original art. Good for first-class shipping within the U.S. Offer ends at midnight on Monday, Oct. 31. Only one promo code per order.

New notecard sets: A new holiday notecard set features a small rabbit in a snowy forest. The words read, “peace on earth, good will to all creatures.” Another new all-purpose notecard set features four different scenes of wild places: beaches, redwood forest and a wildflower meadow. These are $20 for a set of eight cards with eight kraft envelopes.

2023 calendar of art and haiku: For the tenth year in a row, I have created a mini-calendar of art and haiku. Featuring natural scenes and original words, the calendar is $12. Makes a great holiday gift!

New cards: I’ve recently added ten new designs to my card lineup, currently numbering close to 80 designs. These cards are made with fiber from responsibly managed forests, and the mill uses green energy and carbon offsets. They are printed in Arcata, California by an independent small business. Card envelopes are produced in the USA from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. $5 each, blank inside.

Book of art and haiku: There are fewer than 20 copies left of my award-winning book, Water and Stone: Ten Years of Art and Haiku. It will take several weeks to have more printed and shipped, so order while supplies last! This makes a lovely gift.

Studio visits: Although I don’t plan to do any in-person fairs the rest of this year, you can always visit my studio by appointment.

Thanks: I appreciate everyone who came to my collage show, “Torn Together,” at Just My Type in Eureka, CA last month, and to those who visited my Makino Studios booth at the North Country Fair in Arcata! It was a real pleasure to connect with you.