Here are some life drawings I did last fall at the Richmond Art Center. I share them with some sadness. When I first started attending these sessions at the RAC several years ago, I was a much less experienced and confident artist. Right from the start, the art director, Kato, welcomed me, encouraged my work, and treated me as a respected new member of the community. She herself would often settle in and draw alongside the other artists, often with unconventional materials: old books or their covers, a stick dipped in black or colored ink (here’s a video of her at work). It seemed like she was around every time I went to the RAC for any reason, and if she wasn’t, the place always felt just a little less inviting — she was that kind of presence. I learned last week that Kato passed on just before the close of 2014, after a “serious illness.” I knew she was having chemo, but I never imagined she’d be gone so soon. Kato, I thank you with all my heart for the person you were.
Model: Signe
1-minute gesture poses
5- and 10- minute poses to the left of the arrows
20-minute poses
and one on heavier watercolor paper, just for a change
Model: Tami
2-minute gesture poses
5-minute poses
10-minute poses
20-minute poses
a 20-minute pose broken down into two 10-minute drawings
almost completed scroll!
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
Local artist Rebeca García-Gonzalez has posted a wonderful tribute to Kato’s irreplaceable character and talents.
So sorry to hear about Kato. Thank you for introducing us to her story and work which seems to be timeless and very inspiring! p.s your scrol is very impressive!
Thank you for reading, Aga! She was such a special person and wonderful artist.
I need to finish that scroll. I think a few more sessions might do it, but I have been in a writing mood lately and haven’t been doing as much visual art!
[…] wrote last month about how much I already miss Kato; the feeling seems to be universal to everyone who knew her. The memorial was filled with […]