I scratch and hand-tear newspaper scraps to use them as "paint" and create my artwork.
My name is Keiko Suzuki, and I am also known as Bless Hue.
I am a Japanese hand-torn newspaper collage artist based in Seattle, WA, who is obsessed with recycling, paper crafts, and animals.
This unique technique I use was originally developed by Masako Ogawa in 2003 for children, seniors, and physically challenged people to enjoy art-making with an easily accessible material - Newspaper scrap.
When I discovered her method in 2011, I felt this specific art form would best allow me to express the passions of mine.
Reusing discarded materials in daily life is something I have always cared about. In my childhood, I enjoyed folding origami and drawing playful illustrations and portraits.
So, as soon as I found one of Ogawa's tutorial books, I started to learn the basic technique from it, and later I advanced my skills as I tried to make my artwork more detailed.
At the bottom I show my basic process in a 3-min YouTube video.
I create each piece hoping that my audience will see a beautiful moment with animals, and the creative possibilities that can come from discarded materials.
I have been building my Dogs & People collection since the fall of 2016.
The first series is Dogs At Farmers Market, and the second series is Dogs At Park so far.
Any piece you liked here?
More info: Instagram
Creative Process.
Adding a color piece for toe nails (left). Scratching the surface for details (right).
Dogs At Farmers Market No. 1 - French Bulldog, Labradoodle, and Chihuahua
Inspired by a day at the dog-friendly Ballard Farmers Market, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Farmers Market No. 2 - Pug, Corgi, and Dachshund
Inspired by a day at the dog-friendly Ballard Farmers Market, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Farmers Market No. 3 - Shiba Inu, Boston Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and English Bulldog
Inspired by a day at the dog-friendly Ballard Farmers Market, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Park No. 1 - Yellow Lab, Golden Retriever, and Pit Bull Terrier
Inspired by a day at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Park No. 2 - Jack Russell Terrier, Black Lab, and Boxer Dog
Inspired by a beautiful autumn day at Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Park No. 3- Greyhound, Chocolate Lab, Chihuahua, and Cavalier King Charles
Inspired by a bright summer day at Golden Gardens Park in Ballard, Seattle, WA.
Dogs At Park No. 4 - Schnauzer, German Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd
Inspired by a late summer day at Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle, WA.
This 3 minute video shows my basic art making process.
Recorded in 2014.