artist

Introduction:

My art centers on plump, playful figures I call “Chubbies” – a personal, non-devotional take on Bodhisattvas that highlight the extraordinary potential of ordinary people. Grounded in my Buddhist practice, I hope to inspire compassion, transformation, and the possibility of joy through my work.

I am a multi-disciplinary artist currently living in greater Seattle area in Washington State.  My art journey started soon after I moved from Japan to the States to pursue higher education about 30 years ago. After gaining proficiency in English language, I earned BFA in printmaking from Bradley University in Peoria Illinois in 2000 and MFA in printmaking from California State University Long Beach in 2005. I took a break from art making for at least 10 years to care for my kids and my creative energy was spent on building a healthy and thriving family. During that decade, I taught art to neighborhood kids and kept engaging myself with art in small ways. Gradually, I started sculpting with clay and learned enough skills to create ceramic art and products to offer to local stores, art markets and online stores. My artworks have been shown and sold at various venues around town, such as Kobo Seattle, Bainbridge Museum Gift Store, Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, Ryan James Gallery and Artful Home. (Please see the links below) I joined Shift Gallery – a membership cooperative gallery in the Pioneer Square in Seattle in 2025. There, I have been able to put together exciting group shows and have participated in the Seattle Art Fair.

My hope is that I will continue to make art. The times that I have been able to truly immerse myself in my creative process have been precious but limited. I don’t see myself ever retiring from art, because it is more than a thing to do, rather it is something I meant to do. It means so much when people respond with joy. What brings me joy is that I get to share what I make with as many people as possible.