Galleries

Digital Fusion of Paintings and Photos

Through the lens of creating paintings, I have taken a variety of photos over the last ten years and have accumulated thousands of images. By combining my own paintings with these photos, I am pleased to discover that these two types of images work together synergistically, creating complex compositions which convey messages with multiple symbolisms.

 

Various Recent Works

Various recent works in progress, including the As You Like It… Series, Beyond the Horizon Series, and Transition Series.

“As You Like It…” – Created by paint being poured, sprayed, blown, splashed, and so on… onto the canvas surface to let nature take its course until images reach my satisfaction artistically and thematically.

“Beyond the Horizon” – Series which explores the unknown, mysterious possibilities of life using symbolism and Japanese characters.

“Transcending Series” – Using a gradating technique of colors (dark to light gradually upwards) in horizontal line spaces to express some ideologies or process of growth.

 

Japanese Character

About three thousand Chinese-originated characters are used in the standard Japanese language today. Each character has its own meaning. Influenced by my Japanese family member’s strong interest in Japanese calligraphy for its beauty and meaning, I decided to explore this series in the Western-style abstract paintings in mixed media. I would like to dedicate this series to my parents, brothers, and sisters.

 I have chosen characters with positive and inspiring messages such as advancement, hope, going forward, and so on. Some characters signify symbols of objects such as plum blossoms, pine trees, and bamboo as expressions of hope, perseverance, and flexibility. Other characters signify various human feelings and philosophies of life. I have attempted to express these meanings in my paintings as well as show the beauty inherent in the individual characters.

Fusion Ikebana Sculpture and Installation

This series is focused on sculptural forms which explore modernist painting, formal sculpture explorations, and Japanese Ikebana in a contemporary expressionistic style. Some of these works are an expansion of my Japanese Character Paintings and others are independent of my past work. I use discarded glass jars, bottles, and acrylic containers adhered to acrylic sheets, wood stumps, driftwood, and other recycled wood. In order to express my positive intangible themes such as “Enthusiasm”,  “Perseverance”, and “Hope” as well as aesthetic beauty, I willfully modify the elements by painting both natural and man-made items, transforming the materials into an integrated whole.

Ikebana (flower arrangement) originated in Japan about 450 years ago as a religious offering. It has developed into a more aesthetically beautiful form to enhance the everyday life of Japanese people and is central to my intent for this body of work. The natural or “green” elements of Ikebana are altered (or subverted) by paint and display in service of a sculptural form, which suggests both natural and spiritual themes.

Photography

Why Do I Take Photos?

Photography has been my passionate interest for the last decade, though I trained as a painter and Ikebana sculptor for over 25 years prior to this. Photography is unique in that I can quickly capture and record every kind of art I notice in daily life.

My collection (accumulation) of various glass and crystal wares inspires me to produce the Circle Series: “Female Energy”. The glass and crystal wares sparkle so beautifully, as though they have inner lives. The circle shape motivates me to produce this series, as it symbolizes positive and useful meanings: the spirit of feminine energy, the sun, infinity, and sacred space. The circle unites and enlightens people, making them feel whole.

I feel compelled to take photos because I find art everywhere and every day. To me, life is full of art, man-made or natural. It’s an absolute delight for me to discover simple, mystic, and unidentifiable new images, or to create something with everyday materials I already have.

Recently, I decided to digitally fuse images of my paintings, Ikebana sculptures, and photography together to create new pieces that benefit from this combined synergy. I hope my viewers enjoy these artworks as much as I do.

Infinite Growth

Expressionistic abstract paintings in “Infinite Growth Series” focus on the Japanese Symbol of infinite growth and a bright future – the FAN. The fan signifies infinite growth as it opens widely at the top. To achieve a bright future, people must overcome adversity in increments like the sections of the fan, climbing each level.

These paintings express my strong hope for humans and civilizations to grow positively and infinitely, overcoming many adversities and obstacles. Ultimately I hope for world peace and celebration when that moment is finally achieved.

Vine Series

In the acrylic paintings in the Vine Series, I am expressing the human qualities of vines such as grace, vitality, rhythm, and striving using Japanese calligraphic brush strokes, and my knowledge of flower arrangement and musical study. Through these paintings, I want to share my passion and enthusiasm for life with my viewers.

Figure Exploration

In the Series of “Figure Exploration”, I explore infinite possibilities of human figure paintings, further expressing my desire to grow as an artist.

Shizuko’s Studio Scene

My studio space is located near UCLA Westwood in West Los Angeles in my backyard garden. In the early days, every plant, tree, and flower in my garden compelled me to create my artwork, which was most educational and so enjoyable.