There is something magical about seeing a real ­geisha on the streets of Kyoto. Even amidst the sea of ­gorgeous ladies in yukata and kimono she stands out.

It felt like a special and really precious experience and it is a memory that I treasure dearly which is why this painting is so special to me.

It reminds me that there is magic somewhere in the world even though it feels like most of it has drained away after I left Japan.