Many people know Frederick Harris, a 40-year resident of Japan. A past president of the Tokyo American Club, he is a prominent member of several organizations, "joining them if I can give something. If it is to take, I am not interested," he said. Some people know him through his articles, books and lectures. Some met him first in business, at his architectural and interior design firm The Design Studio. He set up The Design Studio in 1967, guided it as its scope widened, and continues today as its chairman. Everyone, eventually, knows Fred as an outstanding artist who is original, prolific and genuine.
In her foreword to Fred's book, "My Journey with Sumi-e Art," Toko Shinoda refers to his "gentle hand," which "delivers something valuable from his heart into the viewer's heart." In The Japan Times publication "Travels with a Brush," Fred describes his traveling around this country always with his sketchbook, brush and traditional ink container at the ready. He finds his subjects everywhere, in vastness and in detail. He sees patterns of light and shadow, the changing seasons, and the "smell of green." Without artifice, he seizes upon the unusual angle of temple roof, the perspective of stone steps, the set of a wall amidst trees. He captures the spirit of each place, its sounds and its silences. "Traveling around Japan with sketchbook in hand has to be one of the greatest pleasures an artist can have," he said.
Amongst the friends he makes are temple priests, who often add their identifying "beautiful and practiced calligraphy" to his sketches.