About

Artist statement

I am a naturalist, get inspired from my experience – things I see, hear, feel and dream. My motivation is to share them with viewers. In my role as an artist, my challenge is to describe these inspirations on a 2- dimensional surface using paint. My preference for the style of realism provides a strong foundation that makes it possible to tell my stories to viewers. I endeavor to tell these stories through color and composition, and the facial expressions and body language of my portrait subjects.

I want to show viewers that we are all different and that is nothing scary. Find differences, understand differences and enjoy differences to make our community stronger, understand each other and be harmonious. Now, my challenge is to help deliver this message to the world.

Biography

I was born as the first child of my family in Japan, therefore my parents raised me very strictly.  From a very early age I developed a love for drawing and sculpting and it was my dream to become an artist, however, I was not allowed to choose an education in art, only science or medicine.  After graduating in zoology from a Japanese University, I came to Canada to pursue graduate studies, completing my M.Sc in Animal and Poultry Science in 2003.  After this I began my carrier a research scientist.  Not long after a turning point occurred in my life allowing me to reflect and consider a different path in life.  As the opportunity to pursue my dream of being a artist opened up, I realized I was quite ignorant and needed to find quality instruction.  I started by taking community centre art classes and college level programs, however, I found the depth of training to be limited.  During a trip to Italy my eyes were opened by the art of the mid Renaissance Italian masters, this enlightened me and led to a search for instruction in classical realism.  Fortunately, through one of my acquaintances in the local Ottawa art community I was pointed in the direction of the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto.  I completed the program in 2016 and painting actively in Ottawa.