Komachi Studio

Bernadette Chenard, born in France, developed a love for Asian art as a child. She was inspired to choose origami as her principal mode of artistic expression when a Japanese friend gave her a little origami doll. Bernadette has been teaching her art for 30 years and has sold her work in major art galleries and participated in multiple juried fine art shows in the East and West coast. Her passion had become a business by 1993, one aptly named KOMACHI, meaning "Beautiful Little Doll" in Japanese. Bernadette creates unique artwork using many of her own origami designs. She uses handmade Washi or luxurious Kimono fabrics from Japan, resulting in her exquisite Komachi collection. Origami, the ancient art of paper-folding originated in Japan where the handcrafted paper called Washi was perfected. Large sheets painstakingly made from Kozo bush fibers were printed by use of woodblocks or hand-cut stencils in creating rich colors, gold accents, and intricate designs reminiscent of Kimono. Washi, once a very rare and precious commodity renowned for its remarkable beauty, texture, and strength, and now a nearly lost art, was exclusive to the nobility during the Heian period for use in creating origami objects, a revered part of elaborate ceremonies. These beloved traditions are now a treasured national heritage and cultural symbol of Japan.