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A native of Japan, Keiko was raised in the rural farming community of Anaka about 200 miles from its capital city, Tokyo. Keiko first began her work with brushes at the age of six while studying calligraphy under the tutelage of Master Okonogi. Japanese calligraphy is an ancient form of communication where the simple flick of a brush stroke will completely change the meaning of a character. It requires strict discipline to master this art form, using brush strokes to translate characters into a communicable language. Keiko rose to the level of 6th Dan, a distinguished accomplishment in this art form.
Keiko began teaching calligraphy privately at age 20, and continued until she was married. In 1991, Keiko and her husband moved to the United States where she began studying 3D. She continued with 3D in enameling for five years, becoming accomplished with color.
She started her formal training in watercolor at the Houston Museum of Fine Art Glassell School of Art in 2002. She has been accepted and won awards in numerous juried national and international exhibitions. These include the American Watercolor Society’s 2009 William Gorman Memorial Award, American Watercolor Society’s 2008 Elsie and David Wu Ject-Key Award and traveling show, American Watercolor Society’s 2007 Nell Storer Memorial Award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2005 Watercolor West Award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2006 Guerilla Painter award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2004 traveling show, Arts for the Parks’ top 100 paintings for 2005 and 2006, Paint for the Park’s top 100 paintings for 2007, Wyoming Watercolor Society’s 2005 Best of Show, 2008 Watercolor Art Society of Houston’s 2nd place, Transparent Watercolor Society of America special merit award 2008, 2006 Watercolor Magic Magazine’s 4th place award, 2006 and 2009 Artist Magazine finalist and 2005 Rocky Mountain Swede Johnson Memorial award and 2009 Quaintance Family Award, . Two articles regarding her art work were published in the August 2006 issue of Watercolor Magic.
Keiko is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Texas Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Watercolor Art Society-Houston, Georgia Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia and Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She is also accomplished in the medium of acrylic, frequently painting large canvases. She shares her experience with other artists by teaching, giving workshops and conducting critiques.
Her artwork is presently in several private and corporate collections, including PanaPina Inc., Rowan Drilling Corp., Chevron Oil Co., Petris Corp., and Abercrombie Simmons and Gillette Inc. It is being shown in many museums and galleries across the country. Her work is represented by Harris Gallery in Houston, Texas, National Art Services Company Inc. in Houston, Texas and Ambleside Gallery in Greensboro, NC.
Contact Info:
keiko_yasuoka@hotmail.com
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