Road Map for Artists

I take pleasure in working alongside artists with the same ambition. I appreciate all the updated information from New York, words of encouragement from the director, and generous assistance from all the advisors. Thanks to JCAT, I found my own definitions of art and artists. I am always grateful for the counter with JCAT NY.

I have been a member since 2017. The book “How to Skip Art School and Become a Successful Artist” by the director ARISA inspired me greatly. It was full of practical information and tips for exhibiting and selling works abroad and forming connections with other artists. What I was carried away by the most, however, was ARISA’s passion for art and her philosophy. She says art is not all about technique, and it is the originality that makes every artist stand out in the crows that makes art. Her words helped me determine that I am going full-out on this.

When I decided to do a solo exhibition, I considered it an opportunity to get my works seen by others. I told my colleagues at work about it and how excited I am. On the day of the exhibition, one of the visitors purchased my work. I couldn’t believe what was happening then. This would not have happened if I did not have an exhibition in JCAT. I feel like I am finally standing on the starting line. I am all braced up to make further progress.

It is such an honor to receive the 3rd JCAT GALLERY Award. I was glad to be selected among all the brilliant artists and evaluated on the message behind my works. I would like to continue spreading the message of “life is art” through my work, especially to those not interested in art yet. I look forward to what we can do in tandem in the future.

I asked for proofreading and translation of my artist statement. I am happy with how bold and stylish my statement turned out. Writing an artist statement was a great opportunity for me to contemplate my painting style and have them organized in my head by putting them into short sentences. Though my tastes and needs might change in the future, what is at the core, I believe, will stay the same as all the expressions come through me. I would like to use my updated artist statement to reflect on my work. Again, thank you so much for your assistance!

I appreciate all the kind words you give me in your emails. Even during this challenging time, I have been able to grow and mature as an artist through participating in JCAT online exhibitions. Thanks to JCAT crews, I have been inspired and stimulated by great works by other artists. It can be frustrating when I cannot get my hands on my paintings after long and draining days of work but I manage to constantly make drafts of images that I came up with in my head so that I can get the flame going. I would like to keep on creating, cherishing the sparks of creation.

Before, I had no such thing as a dream. All I did was complete the tasks in front of my eyes in my life. But ever since I did a live painting in front of an audience, I started to wish for more people to see my work. Live painting was all I had done in Japan back then, but it led me to the very first dream I ever had: to have a solo exhibition overseas. In my 20s, I worked day in and day out without getting much sleep, paint whenever I found time, and went out for adventures. I eventually grew interested in art scenes in New York, which led me to start saving money to go there and spend all my spare time on my art. As I went on doing my research on art in New York, I found Ouchi Gallery in Brooklyn. I wrote to them, attaching some of my work as I was highly interested in their activities. After they welcomed me to the team, I had an opportunity to have a solo exhibition at the gallery in 2013. When I first got an offer, I couldn’t move from the fits of shivering, empty-minded. Once I could process it, I replied promptly, struck by both excitement and anxiety. Just an ordinary day suddenly turned into a big deal with a gift from God – a ticket to the solo exhibition in New York.

I first participated in their group exhibitions in 2013, did my first solo exhibition in 2016, and had the second one the following year. On my fourth visit to New York, I came to realize the importance of being there. It is always a truly life-changing experience flying to New York by myself, showing up at the venue, mingling with other artists while feeling the air that fills the gallery, and seeing all the smiles on the faces of art lovers. The sensation you get from engaging in conversations with people there is electrifying. What you get is not only practical experience but also a chance to meet art lovers who watch over you as you mature as an artist. Some of them would come to see me every time I had an exhibition even with the language barrier. I learned the importance of perseverance and creating works that live side by side with others rather than what simply satisfies me. Even after realizing my first dream, new dreams come one after another. If you keep dreaming and speak your dreams out loud, you’d be surprised how easily they can come to reality. My life has become a continuation of dreaming, realizing dreams, finding new ones, and striving to make them come true. Painting and my dog that stays by my side mean a lot to my life. I hope to become an artist who can contribute to animal protection, another thing I am passionate about, through art. My dream right now is to create works that warm up people’s hearts while keeping on finding dreams and moving forward toward them.

When I left the job that did not suit me a few years ago, I stayed home depressed, wondering what I wanted to do. The conclusion I reached was that what I do is painting and nothing else, not working at the office. Then I decided to quit working for a company once and for all and focus on my career as an artist. I happened to encounter JCAT at a random event, which led me to exhibit my works in New York and apply for international competitions for wood-block prints. I was even able to join an artist in residence in Kirghiz. Painting to me is what represents freedom and honesty. I believe the most powerful expressions are the ones that come directly through my filter. I am excited to cast lights on different sides of myself and encounter my new self along with JCAT.