Say Hello to Hiro Nakamura!

      Beep Beep! Move over! We got our own little Japanese car. Almost all cars in Japan are on the smaller side, (especially compared to America) partially due to the narrow streets and no need for a high powered speedy engine. We were debating about a car and whether we would honestly need it. Some things persuaded us a little but the biggest thing was hiking. When you take dogs on the train they must be in  a carrier. That's fine but I really didn't want to have to lug around a carrier on the hike or rent a locker there. And what if Danny is gone and I want to go hike with the pups? Am I seriously supposed to lug 2 dogs in carriers, and a hiking bag onto a train before the hard work of the trail? I think not! So hiking with the dogs was the biggest persuasion. We purchased a 2000 Honda Capa. It's a periwinkle silver, has lots of storage, good on gas and there's a dvd player. Oh and it has a name. We named our other car too. It was Pepper... as in Pepper Pots because of my love for Tony Stark and Danny wanted it to have a girl name. This car of course needed a Japanese name so I fell back to a favorite of mine from a beloved show. Our car is Hiro Nakamura ! ( From the TV series Heroes.) Danny is insisting to call it Nakamura because he says Hiro sounds like "hero". I'll call it Hiro. Needless to say we are enjoying the drive and we're excited for the adventures this little guy's gona take us to.

My Illustrated Life...in Japan

     My Illustrated Life continues! Even though my posts have been sporadic things are finally getting in order for this massive move. There are abundant updates to be made. We found a rental house and met our lovely neighbors. We've settled into our traditional but updated Japanese home along with learning how to operate all of it's gadgets. We are in the process of getting a cute little Japanese car. It's a periwinkle little cube lookin thing and this is the one place that doesn't stand out as odd. We've been celebrating the New Year like the locals and immersing ourselves in all that we can.
     Ardent Prints has been full force too! It's still fully running on Etsy and the updates are almost fully completed. There's new business cards on the way and "Goodnight Fox" is adorning the cover. I figured why not represent my art with my art. Soon to come as well is full scale choreographed marketing that all matches such as stamps, packaging, etc. Like I said all in an overhaul. I've completed a custom piece of work for the Sharrow's and their little "Rowboat" to decorate their nursery. While in Japan I'm using my talent and education to help the next generation and pay it forward to the art world as I am now offering art lessons. As I am more than qualified with education and experience this is a great opportunity for all involved. I can't wait foster creativity and expand the world's knowledge of Ardent Prints. Thank you for those giving me the opportunity to inspire and encourage.

Printmaking in Japan

     We are safely in Japan and slowly getting settled. Though while we wait on paperwork and wade through the transition art and the demand for art never stops. Since I am still waiting for some supplies and inventory to show up I am grateful that Japan is origin spot of printmaking and therefor supplies can be found. In fact we found a "little" shop only a few blocks from base with a wide variety of reasonably priced items.
     The store is called Kawashima. From base its straight up "Blue Street" next to Mikasa Plaza. I say "little" because even though each section of the store is small or narrow it has 5+ levels. There's everything that  you can imagine from professional grade supplies, scrapbooking, origami, business cards, holiday items and more. I was simply happy to find quality supplies for a good price. Today I walked out with some beautiful handmade recycled paper from natural fibers that includes natural debris and yellow gold flecks. It's perfect for a custom piece I'm in the midst of working on. Also I picked up some things for the visual revamp of Ardent Prints on Etsy.
     For those in the area of Yokosuka interested in going to Kawashima it's open every day EXCEPT Wednesday, (many Japanese stores are closed Wednesday) 10 am - 7:30 pm. We used cash as Japan is a cash economy so I'm not sure if they accept card. Happy shopping!

Sayonara San Diego

     San Diego, it was great and an incredible experience that I will be eternally grateful for. I'm sure that if we get a chance to visit or return we surely will. So even though we may be experiencing our first week in Japan I think that San Diego deserves it's dues with a little insight into all our new found favorites.

      Dog Park: Fiesta Island b/ it was all off leash with plenty of access to water and grass and
                       responsible owners.
     Mexican Restaurant: El Camino b/ its atmosphere is chill, it's Happy Hour is incredible and it's food
                                       is delicious.
     Art Store: Blick Art Materials b/ it has everything a serious artist could ask for.
     Breakfast Place: Cafe 222 b/ it's just as good as the hype of Hash House and Richard Walkers (or
                                better!) but so much more low key AND you can bring your dog!
      Gelato: Chocolat b/ it's the closet thing to gelato from Italian gelato shops in San Diego.
      Burger Place: Cheap- In & Out. Pricy but worth it- Burger Lounge. I love game meat and ethical
                             meat so this is definitely the place.
      Drinking Spot: Noble Experiment b/ it's incredibly classy, timeless and you won't see the drunken
                              frat boys here. Lion's Share b/ it has great classic handcrafted drinks and for very
                              reasonable prices during Happy Hour. The Tipsy Crow b/ it has great simple drinks
                              and a lounge like feel.
       Hike: Any of the Laguna Mountain trails along the PCT. Dog friendly and you may run into a
                max of 5 people during a day there. SO much better than Cowles Mountain.
      View: From Cabrillo Tide Pools. Beautiful views of the water, the mountains and the coast.
      Farmer's Market: Little Italy gave us all of our necessities, fresh veggies, fruits and eggs as well as
                                delicious crepes, Bitchin Sauce and Joe's on the Nose.
      Other: The BEST thing from San Diego= Bently & Fredrik! Had we never gone to San Diego we
                  never would have had these 2 cuties.

     There are so many amazing San Diego places and events that we will surely miss. There's too many to list. We will never forget the Yappy Hours at Landinis, romping at OB, Christmas Lights at Christmas Card lane or smuggling the dogs into the drive in. Every place has it's own gems and San Diego definitely has more than most. Thank you for the experience and for all those we befriended along the way.

Tips

     Navigating the channels of government employees and rigorous forms with a bit of direction from those with prior experience never hurts. I am certainly thankful for those who have helped us and I can only hope to pay it forward. Here are some helpful tips for dealing with each department:

General: 1) If you can email  along with calls.for multiple reasons. Proof of what was said, sent and
                 done that you can present as evidence when contradicted. Also they tend to respond quicker.
               2) Keep multiple copies of everything. You never know who will want a copy.
               3) Do not assume the offices actually communicate with each other. They often don't and it
                   will be your responsibility to bridge the gap.
               4) You must ask the right questions. The people in these offices answer what you ask and
                  don't elaborate so don't hesitate to pry further.

NAVPTO: 1) Contact them and don't just wait patiently for their email. It may not come so from the
                       beginning have multiple forms of contact. Even if it means nagging everyone in every
                      other office keep trying to get through.  Worse comes to worse walk in.
                   2) Realize passports should arrive in 4-6 weeks. Start contacting them at 4 weeks.

SATO: 1) If traveling with pets give them the specifications as to which flights will accommodate the
             size of your pet, (esp for in-cabin). They (SATO) are required to accommodate your needs.
              This is make it easier and less work for them thus makes it easier for you.

Storage/UB/HHG: 1) Your moves cannot overlap at all. This even includes if one pack is to be picked
                                  up on a day and another is to be packed. They will not tell you this and if you find
                                  out too late if could provide complications.
                               2) Companies are supposed to contact you but sometimes they don't and other times
                                   they just take their sweet time. If you haven't heard from them or if you're pressed
                                   for time be preemptive and make the call.
                               3) Don't assume the movers know how to get to your residence. Be prepared to
                                  give them detail directions.
                               4) Document EVERYTHING! This means lists, photographs, videos because if
                                   you can not prove of it's existence and working condition you will not  get
                                   reimbursed if they break it or loose it.

Other: 1) You can mail items to yourself. We were able to get a PO Box(simply asked for one) and any
          items we were wanting to take with us that the movers either wouldn't move, (food, wine,
          candles, etc), or things we wanted right away but wouldn't fit in the suitcases we mailed to
          ourselves. Best thing is you can submit the receipts to the travel claim.

     There are so many tips and hints I'm sure these are just a minuscule amount but they are ones that we found by trial and error or a helpful friend. Hence it's my thought that maybe others need these too beyond documented sources. Of course every move has its own set of challenges but I hope this can help a bit.

Contacting Us in Japan

     In less than 2 weeks we will be in the land of the rising sun and we'd like to still stay in contact with you. To be precise  we fly from the states to Japan on November 25th. Things have all been coming together quickly here and there will be a few more posts detailing all that has gone into the prep side of this move.

     As for contact it is as follows:
                 Email: danny.n.peters@gmail.com ; areneek@yahoo.com ; ardentprints@yahoo.com
                 Twitter: @ardentprints
                 Instagram: ardentprints
                 Facetime: areneek@yahoo.com ; danny.n.peters@yahoo.com
                 Skype:  danny.n.peters@yahoo.com (Danny Peters) ; areneek@yahoo.com (Ashley R                                
                             Peters) - if it's associated with our phone numbers then 6198225837 and
                             6198460169

                 Etsy : ArdentPrints

                Google Voice : 6198460169

 

Our temporary address in Japan is a PO Box until exactly whether or not we will be living on base or off but in the meantime this address will work just fine:

PSC 473 Box 335 FPO AP 96349-0004

     We will be getting Japanese phones and possibly Tango. Of course along with all of these contacts there are also the chat and messaging methods of things such as Facebook and Gmail.  We hope to stay in touch and now you have the means to do so.

Last Show In The States

     This past Thursday, November 7th, Ardent Prints had it's last show in the states until we return from Japan. It took place in the vibrant environment and electric scene of Stingaree through RAW. It was a fantastic show with a professionally edgy presentation. I made many connections and sold quiet a lot of pieces. Thank you all for the support. I'd specifically like to thank all of those who purchased tickets and those who attended for me. I can only hope you enjoyed my work and the show.

     As for Ardent Prints on Etsy. It will be temporarily paused from November 24th-November 27th. Then from November 27th until late December I will have the ability to sell a selection  of my work but not all of it. I may also be able to make some new and custom pieces during this time. By the end of December ALL of the items will be for sale once again. So during our transition to the land of the rising sun don't hesitate to inquire and order. Ardent Prints will be as functional and vigorous as ever.