Description :

I’m a Rare, a Rarebird is a vibrant acrylic painting by Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai, featuring a stylized, radiant bird rendered in layered strokes of gold, red, white, blue, and orange against a deep black ground. The feathers shimmer with mosaic‑like texture, creating movement and luminosity as the form rises upward in a celebratory, almost spiritual gesture. The composition is bold and symbolic—an expression of individuality, joy, and transcendence—reflecting Kirsten‑Daiensai’s lifelong fusion of Zen philosophy and modernist colo

Artist Bio — Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai (1920–2013)

Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai was a Seattle‑based painter, printmaker, sculptor, and Zen Buddhist priest whose work blends spiritual reflection with playful, symbolic imagery. Born in Chicago, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and later at the University of Washington, grounding his practice in both classical training and modernist experimentation. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he worked as an editorial artist for the Seattle Post‑Intelligencer before devoting himself fully to fine art.

Beginning in the late 1950s, Kirsten‑Daiensai spent extended periods in Japan and Korea, where he deepened his Zen Buddhist practice and adopted the name “Daiensai.” These experiences shaped his distinctive visual language—joyful figures, cosmic themes, and gentle philosophical messages centered on love, gratitude, and interconnectedness.

His work has been exhibited in:

• Kirsten Gallery, Seattle (founded by the artist and long associated with his work)

• Seattle Art Museum (works in collection)

• Library of Congress (works in collection)

• Numerous galleries and exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Asia

Kirsten‑Daiensai’s paintings and prints remain highly collected for their warmth, spiritual clarity, and unmistakable style.

19 T X 15 W