Whitemud Trail Creek 4
11 x 15
watercolo

I started painting watercolours more often after I retired in 2004, and began taking some art classes and workshops to kick start after a long period of not physically taking a paint brush in my hand.

Although I did not paint very often during my working years my interest in painting never diminished, and I took a few art classes just to satisfy my urge to paint.

I was born and raised in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. I began watercolours at about 10 years of age in elementary school and continued to junior high school as it was a compulsory course in Japanese public schools.  The high school I went to was an academic school and there were no fine art classes, but there was a good after-school art club where I received extensive drawing training and also I was introduced to oil painting.

I studied Chemistry at Hokkaiko University. They do not have a fine art department but there was a famous fine art club where I painted mostly in oil until I came to the University of Alberta as a graduate student in Chemistry. I did not have much time for painting during my graduate school years, but I got some watercolour equipment and painted just a few times.

I got married to a fellow Chemistry student during my graduate school years. After my daughter was much older and my work at Alberta Agriculture as a senior scientist was established, I began taking watercolour classes and gradually spent a little more time painting.

Three years ago, I formed a small art club with a few friends who were interested in painting. Since I had the longest experience in painting I began teaching in the club which has grown a little bigger over the three years. While teaching I also learn more about painting.

Painting is a never ending pursuit and that is why it is very interesting. You will never know if your next painting will be a pretty good one or disappointment. You just keep at it until one day you say to yourself, Wow!  I did it!

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