Flower power

Etsuko was born in Tokyo, Japan. Her parents encouraged her from a young age to practice ballet, piano, and painting. She remembers painting a pomegranate still life with enthusiasm. Etsuko continued art classes in school and obtained Bachelor of Arts degree majored English Literature and minor Western Fine Art in Tokyo. She has practiced traditional Japanese arts like Ikebana and Tea-ceremony over half a decade. At Kobayashi Art Gallery in Ginza, she worked as a translator surrounded by renowned fine arts and artists and loved (still love) visiting museums and galleries worldwide.

After a corporate career in big cities, Etsuko is now a full-time artist on Vancouver Island, inspired by nature and heartwarming community. Her work draws from nature, organic shapes, feelings, and memories, with brush strokes influenced by Japanese calligraphy; often, from Ki (internal energy) generated by her regular yoga practices.

Etsuko primarily uses acrylics, along with other medium, such as charcoal, pencils, pastels. She enjoys experimenting with various tools, sometimes found in kitchen cabinets or thrift stores. Etsuko continues exploring new styles and techniques, both self-taught and through workshops.

In 2024, Etsuko completed one month Artist Residency program with the Association of Tournefou in a small French village. This artist sanctuary, surrounded by French landscape, nature and historical structures, inspired her. She sketched during morning walks and created abstract paintings on canvases. The body of work she produced has been shown in the recent exhibition at Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre.

You will find her recent paintings at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria/ Rental & Sales, Ladysmith Art Gallery, Cowichan Valley Art Council, Piggy & Paisley tea house in James Bay, and various juried art shows and markets on Vancouver Island. She has also participated in multiple solo, duo, and group shows. For the recent updates and upcoming exhibitions, please visit her website at www.etsukok.art or her Instagram posting @etsukokart.

She is deeply grateful for the loving support of her family, friends, mentors, fellow artists, and the community.

Artist Statement

“I’m happy when I’m painting. I like it.” -Joan Mitchell

While in my youth living in Tokyo, singing in the choir, dancing with any form of music, drawing and painting gave me such joy to express my feelings and emotions. Even during the extremely busy time while working in corporate world, I never forgot to take time for creating in any form.

Now I am so happy to be a full-time painter on Vancouver Island. I sometimes wonder why I enjoy painting so much, especially in abstract form. Perhaps, it is because the abstract form of expression/creation gives me an opportunity to express freely and intuitively.

I admire the nature around me and constantly observe deeply how it is changing. Facing a canvas with my brushes and any other tools allows me to connect my soul to mother nature and my sense of what is going on around me or in the world. I simply enjoy every moment to make intuitive marks and layers on a surface as a meditative process and journey.