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Hi, Reader!

Welcome back to my newsletter!

Awards, awards

In the Community Sponsored Awards Show at Rowayton Arts Center, my work "Lighthouse and the Moon" won First Prize in Photography. This is the first time I've ever received a monetary reward from an exhibition. I thank judge Lizzy De Vita and Rowayton Arts Center for the recognition, and also to DR Bank for their continued support to the art community.

Last Friday, Best Photography Awards announced the results of the 2025 competition. All my entries received recognition, including two Third Places and two Honorable Mentions. It's a step forward from last year's Honorable Mentions.

Congratulations to the collectors of "Oh the Sea" and "A Big Tree"! You know how hard I’ve been working to make your collections more valuable. "Subconscious" has also been selected for RAC's Photography & Sculpture show(Jun 22 - Jul 20), juried by the honorable judge Crista Dix.

Armonk, Finally!

I was overjoyed to learn I’ve been accepted into the Armonk Outdoor Art Show. With its unmatched scale and high standards, Armonk is famously competitive—I've applied for the past three years, and now, finally, I’m in. I'm deeply grateful to the panel of judges and will bring my best work to the Armonk audience. The show takes place September 27–28. Stay tuned!

As for June, here is the schedule:

• June 7-8, Spring Lenox Art Walk
• June 14, Arts & Crafts on Bedford
• June 21-22, Manayunk Arts Festival
• June 28-29, Ridgefield Arts Festival

One More Spring Night, by the Kamo River

I had originally planned two nights in Kanazawa, but I cancelled it and added one more night each to Kyoto and Tokyo, because after that one evening by the Kamo River, I was captivated to the atmosphere there -- It felt almost impossible to leave.

The Kamo River, literally translated as the "Duck" river, runs through the eastern part of Kyoto, alongside the Pontocho alley and close to Geisha Streets in the Gion district. The river banks offer a perfect escape from the sound and fury of the city. At night, reflections of the colorful lights turn the surface of flowing water into abstract paintings. In the darkness, locals and tourist alike sit enjoying each other's companion. In the air, the faint fragrance from the cherry blossoms softens everything.

The narrow alley of Pontocho has been an entertainment centre since 1670. Wandering through its traditional wooden buildings, you'll find some of the finest gourmet and performances Kyoto has to offer. I stopped by a music joint and listened to a wonderful local band playing American blues, but never ventured into the luxurious dinners there. It’s just weird to do that alone..

Yesterday, I met with a painter friend who praised my work for its painterly quality and mentioned "the sense of loneliness". It’s the second time I’ve heard this association. The first was from a lady who viewed my nature and seascape photos; she said, “Wow, the profound feeling of loneliness.” It shocked me. I have never thought of it that way, especially with my nature and seascapes—they were meant to bring peacefulness. But perhaps, when it is all simplified into the essentials, what’s left is a sense of solitude that melts into the pure existence around us.

Disappointedly, the second night by the Kamo River turned out to be less productive as the first one, and later, the extra day in Tokyo felt lackluster too. I wondered what might happen on the unhappened trip to Kanazawa. I'll have to leave that to the next trip. For me, three days in one place seems like the best time span to cultivate inspirations from curiosity.

This concludes this episode of my reports from Japan. I hope you enjoyed it. Wishing you a wonderful summer and looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Zili

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