Bio

Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Takatomo moved to Los Angeles in his early twenties where he soaked up the sun and a new life overseas. It was there that he attended LAMA (Los Angeles Music Academy) in 2000, to study drumming with some of the best musicians in the industry. It was not until much later, coming back to Japan after several years abroad, that he discovered another form of passion in painting.

In Japan, he started taking a drawing class once a week, and gradually found himself immersed in making art. Within a couple of years, he was presented with opportunities to exhibit at small galleries and alternative spaces around Tokyo. In 2009, he participated in the World Art Expo '09 in Orange County in Southern California, as well as the group exhibition, “Japanese Spirit” at the Opera Gallery in Budapest Hungary.

Having started painting relatively late in life, I have always had this notion that I am not yet a very technically skillful artist. However, as I gain experience, I think I'm becoming more comfortable with the medium. Nevertheless, when I'm in front of the canvas I'm always fighting to balance technique with inspiration. I search for a combination of colors that spark my spirit and the emotions I hope to express.

At once calm, yet subtly intense, my work seems to linger on the fringes between reality and otherworldly space. I usually use a simple motif and try to put as much feeling as I can into whatever I'm depicting. Simplicity is always my guiding principle.

During my short career as an artist I have been fortunate enough to be able to exhibit not only in Japan but internationally as well. Connecting with both artists and art enthusiasts in other parts of the world is of course gratifying in itself, but it has also made me realize that people are not all that different, regardless of where they are from.

| 2009 |

July "Japanese Spirit" at Opera Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
June World Art Expo '09, Orange County, California

| 2008 |

October Japanese Contemporary Art, Opera Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

| 2007 |

May Group Exhibition, at the gallery, "And Zone", Tokyo

February
Face・Exhibition, GSF(Gallery Space Factory), Tokyo

| 2006 |

November "Academic Virgin", Kyoto Zokei University