Annette Makino Showcases New Haiku Ink Paintings

Arcata Eye
Arcata, California
May 30, 2012

ARCATA – Whether in the shower, picking up kids, or walking the dog, Annette Makino manages to write a haiku every day. Using sumi ink and rice paper, the Arcata-based writer and artist then makes Japanese ink paintings that deepen the meaning of these poems.

Some of her pieces capture fleeting moments. A painting of a flowering cherry branch includes this haiku:

playful wind
cherry trees let loose
swirls of confetti

Other pieces use gentle humor to illuminate personal experiences. An ink painting of a baby trailing an umbilical cord is joined by these words:

my baby’s navel
once connected us, but now
she wants to pierce it

Makino is opening her art studio to the public for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3 as part of North Coast Open Studios. Her peaceful studio in the redwoods will only be open during the first weekend of Open Studios, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

In addition to Makino’s playful “Haiku for Dog Lovers” series, new paintings will be on view.

Visitors may examine Makino’s traditional Japanese artist tools, including bamboo brushes, ink stones for grinding ink, rice papers and carved artist’s seals. She will also offer greeting cards, signed prints, handmade books and t-shirts for sale.

Makino Studios is located ten minutes’ drive from the Arcata Plaza, between Arcata and Blue Lake. Visitors should take the Essex Lane exit from State Route 299 and then follow the signs to 65 Kara Lane. Makino also has an online gallery at makinostudios.com. (707) 362-6644.