Above: Hanbury Hall, by Takumasa Ono. Just added to my collection.
Takumasa (Tak) Ono was born in Tokyo in 1959. He visited the UK for the first time in 1999 when, as an Official Artist for the Association of National Trusts in Japan, he toured 58 National Trust properties, producing art works to be exhibited in Japan. He returned to the UK again two years later, as part of Japan 2001, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and decided to settle here with his family in 2002. Since then he has been holding yearly 'Henro' (pilgrimage) exhibitions of his works at National Trust properties; Henro 2011 is the tenth tour of its kind. He produces mainly sumi-e, watercolours and silkscreen prints; as Tak is a dedicated environmentalist, the latter are produced without using chemicals which are harmful to the environment.
A percentage of his exhibition sales are regularly donated to the National Trust's fundraising campaign to assist in the running and preservation of its historic properties, and this year he is also contributing to Japanese Earthquake Aid. The first three stops of this year's tour are now over, but you can still catch him at Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire from the 3rd August until the 4th September. You can also buy directly from the artist via his web site.
Above: Detail of Hanbury Hall.
