ABOUT THE SERIES The Kyoto Girls series grew from the seed of a memory. When Dan was a child, he recalls in vivid detail visiting the Japanese Festival at the renowned Missouri Botanical Garden. He tells the story of observing festival participants in Geisha dress and being fascinated by their gorgeous attire – their kimonos, obi, traditional shimada hairstyles with kanzashi (accessories such as hair sticks). Both historically and today, achieving the status of Geisha represents dedication, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence. Dan’s large measure of reverence for these figures and the art that has depicted them over the centuries fuels his Kyoto Girls series. At the same time, he brings his own life story to bear, making the work distinctively personal through his intuitive brushwork, layering and mark making. - SBC