Description :

Fate — “It is fate that brings people together but love that keeps them together”

This print features three gentle, monk‑like figures standing in a field of flowers, rendered in Kirsten‑Daiensai’s signature rounded forms and serene expressions. The central figure, haloed in warm yellow, holds a red heart while birds rest on its shoulders—an emblem of compassion and connection. The two flanking figures, in soft blue robes, hold small symbolic objects. Set against a vivid blue background, the composition radiates warmth, humor, and spiritual simplicity, expressing the artist’s recurring themes of love, gratitude, and human connection.

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 influences. 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 numerous respected venues, including:

• 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)

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

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

1) Fate 16.5” T X 13.5” W

2) 3 Saints?? 16” T X 11” W