Nature Art with Chiura Obata (Naturalist's Apprentice) [Hardcover]

Michael Elsohn Ross (Author), Wendy Smith-Griswold (Illustrator), Wendy Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Naturalist's Apprentice

Describes the life and work of nature artist and Japanese American Chiura Obata. Includes tips on how readers can make their own nature art.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This brief biography provides a peek into the life of a Japanese-American artist, who often drew and painted the flora, fauna, and wildlife of Yosemite National Park. It covers Obata's childhood, his move to America, his marriage and family, and his years as an artist. Throughout his life, his love of nature and painting sustained him. Ross combines the story of the life of this exceptional artist with tips for young artists interested in natural subjects. Full-color samples of Obata's art, including sketches of San Francisco after the earthquake of 1906 and his drawings of the Japanese internment camps during World War II, and black-and-white photographs are nimbly woven into the volume. Informational sidebars include tips on how to draw lines, birds, and clouds; supplies needed by an artist; "Wet-Day Painting"; capturing shadows and movement; and creating prints. Late in his life, Obata received the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese emperor. To appreciate fully the meaning of this honor, students may wish to read Sheila Hamanaka's In Search of the Spirit (Morrow, 1999). Those interested in naturalists may want to try the volumes in the series that address bird, bug, fish, and wildlife watching.-Jennifer J. Gallant, Cleveland Public Library, OH

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575053780
• ISBN-13: 978-1575053783
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Japanese Artist and a Slice of the American Experience, February 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Nature Art with Chiura Obata (Naturalist's Apprentice) (Hardcover)

Nature Art with Chiura Obata describes not only the life of a contemporary Japanese artist, but also depicts a man who maintained his spirit and dignity when he was interned with fellow Japanese Americans during World War II.

Chiura Obata was born in Japan in 1885. His older brother and wife were unable to bear children of their own, so they adopted Obata when he was five years old. Obata showed a talent for art at any early age, and his rigorous training began immediately in his new home.

Most interesting to Obata was the nature around him. He studied plants, birds and animals. He learned to make his mind calm and to use all his senses, not just his eyesight, when he was observing his subject.

In 1903, at the age of 17, Obata set sail for California, where he fell in love with the Pacific Ocean, the mountains, the redwood trees and Yosemite National Park. He also encountered prejudice and survived the earthquake of 1906. Through it all, Obata ultimately became a teacher at the University of California in Berkeley.

This book is filled with fascinating old photographs, reproductions of Obata's beautiful sketches and paintings, along with art exercises for budding artists who want to try out some of Obata's techniques. The exercises encourage readers to follow their feelings and draw nature as they see it. I found this book perfect for a presentation on Japanese Art to a second grade class.

When Obata and his family became internees in 1942, he recorded the story of their imprisonment through art. Even though their accommodations were dirty and depressing, Obata encouraged his people to see the beauty of nature in order to survive. He organized an art school and students would carve sculpture from tree stumps and build lamps from old car parts.

Obata became an American citizen in 1952 and lived to a ripe old age.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Obata!, March 3, 2005

By 

John Dziadecki (Louisville, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nature Art with Chiura Obata (Naturalist's Apprentice) (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent introduction to the artist Chiura Obata. Illustrated with photographs, drawings, watercolors and woodblock prints, this biography (aimmed at younger readers but very informative for all) recounts his life story including the major highlights and upheavals. Obata loved the "great nature" of wilderness. This love of nature enabled him to live through hard times and flowed into his work. His unique training in traditional Japanese art combined with western sensibilities and appreciation of the natural environment enabled him to find unique paths to visual expression.

His story is an interesting one and worth investigating. This is a very good place to start. Recommended.