Artist Series: Kazuyuki Ohtsu: Poppy Birthday Card

Kazuyuki Ohtsu (Japanese, b. 1935) Poppy, 2009

About the Artist:

In the perfectly balanced compositions by Kazuyuki Ohtsu (Japanese, b. 1935) we find tranquil scenes of natural beauty, where fallen snow quiets the land and autumn leaves erupt in a riot of color. Born into a family of silk weavers, Ohtsu began the study of printmaking at 19. He apprenticed with celebrated artist Kiyoshi Saito for 40 years. With the passing of Saito, Ohtsu set out on his own career. Like his teacher, he paints the original pictures that serve as blueprints for the hand-carved blocks, then inks the blocks and prints the images. Ohtsu’s artworks forsake an earlier period’s use of strong outlines, instead relying on elemental colors and gentle shapes to depict a harmonious, idealized view of the Japanese countryside.