I feel truly happy to be able to pursue my art alongside members who share the same passion and vision. I'm inspired by the cutting-edge insights from New York, the wonderful messages from the director, and the warm, thoughtful support from the advisors. Through this journey, I’ve discovered multiple personal answers to what art means and what it means to be an artist. I’m always grateful for my connection with JCAT NY.

Until then, I had never really had a “dream.” I was simply getting through each day, doing what was in front of me to survive. But after that one live painting event, I began to feel, “I want more people to see my work.” In Japan, I had only done live paintings, but then a dream formed: “I want to go abroad and hold a solo exhibition!”
In my twenties, I worked from morning to night with barely any time to sleep. Whenever I had a spare moment, I would draw or go out with friends. Gradually, I became interested in the art scene in New York. I started thinking, “I’ll save up money and study abroad!” “And I’ll spend any free time on my art!” That’s when I began researching more about New York.
In the process, I came across Ouchi Gallery in Brooklyn. I was deeply intrigued, so I sent a message along with several images of my artwork.
After that, I became a member of JCAT, and in 2013, I was offered the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at Ouchi Gallery in Brooklyn.
When I first received the message, I was in such shock that my body trembled—I couldn’t fully process it. Once I did, I was overwhelmed by a mix of joy and anxiety. Still, I replied immediately.
That one message on an otherwise ordinary day turned out to be an unexpected gift from the universe—an invitation to hold a solo show in New York.

In 2013, I first participated in a group exhibition in New York. Then, in 2016, I held my very first solo exhibition, followed by a second one in 2017. This past July, I took part in what became my sixth group exhibition. Although this was my fourth visit to the U.S., each time I go, I realize more and more how important it is to actually be in New York.
It’s not just about shipping your artwork and saying, “I’ve participated.” It’s about physically being there—stepping into the venue, absorbing the atmosphere, meeting fellow artists, and seeing the reactions and smiles of art lovers firsthand. Through those real conversations and moments of connection, something hits you—powerfully—and it can change your entire perspective on life.
With each experience, I grow. And because I continue to show up, art lovers who attend every exhibition can witness that growth. Even without speaking the same language, there are people who come to every one of my shows. That taught me the importance of continuity, and that art shouldn’t be made only for myself—it should live and breathe among those who see it.
That first small dream has come true, but many more dreams are still pouring in. I’ve learned the value of continuing to dream, of speaking those dreams aloud. If you hold on to them and keep believing, dreams can come true—sometimes more easily than you’d expect. Then you find a new dream, and work toward that one. That cycle has become my life.
Painting, my beloved dog always by my side, and my passion for animal welfare—these are all precious to me. I hope to become the kind of artist who can fuse art and animal advocacy, and keep creating works that warm the hearts of others. My dream is to keep finding new dreams, and to live each day moving toward them. That is my dream.

Before joining JCAT, I used to believe that being an artist meant working alone. But through JCAT’s concept, my perspective changed—I came to see that artists can and should support one another.
Of course, this kind of support isn’t about relying on each other in a passive way, but rather about mutual awareness and growth. There’s a shared understanding that we each have the drive to improve—whether it's in our artistic skills or our ability to communicate—and it’s that motivation that forms the foundation of our relationship.
Being in an environment where we can exchange those efforts and insights with one another feels truly fulfilling.