Wonderful Tonight Painting

I look for simple graphic form in everyday objects and organize them into compositions. As a young child in Japan, I was impressed by the work of the Japanese masters highly stylized wood block prints. I have also been influenced by Wayne Thiebaud, Tamera De Limpeka, Chuck Close, JC Leyendecker and broadly by the Golden Age of Illustrators. Working in watercolor and acrylic, I found the best results are produced from trial and error and a consistent work ethic, producing personal improvements and successes. Upon arriving in the New York metropolitan area in 1980, I continued my studies in life drawing and pursued oil painting, attending SUNY Purchase College and the Art Students League. All of my paintings have a foundation in what I call stylized realism. They utilize the strong composition qualities of clear planar and linear breaks on the surface, creating jewel-like facets. I paint from life, all at once, marathon style, Alla Prima.