Atmosphere and intrigue come to life in these soulful and expressive masterful watercolors. The depth, the detail, the light... simply exquisite! - Informed Collector
Year Born: N/A
Award-winning watercolor artist of landscapes and cityscapes
She captures a sense of place and people in everyday life
Her unique mix of soft and powerful brushstrokes creates a soothing and inviting effect
"Watercolor painting is a language I have learned to speak to tell my stories of who we are and how we live. It is a creative tool to capture the simple truth in our everyday life that may be overlooked but tugs at my heartstrings. It is also a vehicle to communicate my artistic vision on the joy of living and the ingenuity of human creations. I travel near and far and paint with enthusiasm to celebrate the beauty we all share at this time on this planet."
"When I am true to my inspiration, my brushstrokes sometimes surprise me by exposing something of my inner spirit I was not even aware of."
Collectors Say:
"Each of your paintings tells its own story on its own, but I love what you write about your thoughts and feelings or connections to each painting. They just come to life and are an extension of the love you paint into them! What a marvelous gift to the lucky recipients! It's as if very special places and moments in time are captured forever to be cherished or have special moments one can relive right in their own home!" -- Christine Krauss
"I received the painting today and am completely blown away. It's so beautiful. The computer image really doesn't do it justice. I love your work and look forward to building a collection with you. Thank you so much. It has been such a pleasure. I will send you a picture as soon as I can get it framed and decide where to hang it." -- Reneι Gantz
"We are new to the art of Keiko, but there is no question that if I could afford it, I would have her under exclusive contract to paint everything just for us. Her work is unbelievably good and we are honored to have just one small piece. PS. Great website and blog!" -- A. Lasnover
"Keiko is an exceptional human being, not only does it show in her work, but it is exemplified in the quality of customer care she gives to you. I was astounded by the Chino's painting, I used to have a restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe, and bought produce there regularly. The series of Chino's paintings brought back many wonderful memories in an instant. I am so taken with her work and her apparent attitude about art that I can hardly wait to get another painting from her in the future." -- Mike Downing, Quimby's Restaurant (www.quimbysrestaurant.com )
"I stumbled across this painting (on the Internet), and it struck me. It's a beautiful painting, with lots of intrinsic emotion. It's true; I did get that feeling of "I've been here before" when I first looked at it. I also want to mention that I think your business instincts are right-on. You are most gracious, and handled this deal perfectly. Good luck in your future business inspirations and artistic endeavors. We'll check your website now and then to see What's new?" -- Tom and Isabel Abbott
"I'm not typically a fan of watercolor but your art has certainly turned me around. The depth, vibrancy and life you bring to your paintings has certainly made me look at watercolor art differently - thank you! We look forward to collecting more pieces in the future." -- Tanya Llera
"You have a wonderful sense of color, space, proportion and environment, and you are doing wonderful, wonderful work."
"It's very nice and I am very happy I bought it... it will have a privileged place in my home. Thanks, Keiko!" -- Johanne Zenga, Pebeo (www.pebeo.com)
"We are so happy with your beautiful work and knowing what a gracious person you are just makes them more special... We will look forward to staying in touch and following your promising career."
"I am so enjoying the little painting (of Venice) I bought. My late husband and I used to visit Venice every year... Thank you for painting it."
Dealers Say:
"When Keiko was starting out in the art world, I saw a flower bud that had been waiting impatiently for spring. When spring finally arrived after a long winter, it bursted out into a beautiful flower in vivid colors. I'm sure you can see that magnificent flower in each of her paintings. My first encounter with Keiko's artwork was at a large art show. Her dazzling paintings stood out among hundreds of others. I'm honored to display some of her work at my on-line gallery (www.aikomei.com ) and hope to help you plant a flower in your place." -- Katsuyo Fukuyama, Aikomei, On-line Gallery owner
Other Artists Say:
"Keiko Tanabe captures a sense of atmosphere and place as few artists can. You can see the light and feel the air in her paintings. This is watercolor at its best. Keiko takes full advantage of the fluid and organic feel of the medium. Her lovely evocations of street scenes, towns and villages, cafes and waterways are little gems that continue to reward you every time you see them. " -- Richard Hawk (http://hawkstudio.com:80/)
"Keiko handles watercolor with a magical touch which produces an ethereal and dreamlike quality that portrays her subject with lightness and simplicity." "Keiko's soft luscious colors, along with her spontaneous handling of the brush bring illumination to her work. Through Keiko's world travels, the artist has been exposed to the landscapes and city scenes of Italy, France, Spain, and the United States where through her passion for watercolor, Tanabe captures the beauty that she's experienced in each location." -- Joann Wells Greenbaum (http://joannwellsgreenbaum.com)
"Your fluidity, simplification and dramatic license inspires and confounds me at the same time. Your dynamic values just amaze me. Keep on amazing us!" -- Carole Mayne (http://www.carolemayne.com)
"I have always loved grays, and you have perfected what I mean by grays. Your paintings are so beautiful, peaceful and so meaningful. Your use of colours is at such an expertise level. Thanks for the inspiration." -- Joanne Contant (http://jcpaintings.blogspot.com)
Atmosphere and intrigue come to life in these soulful and expressive
masterful watercolors.
The depth, the detail, the light ... simply exquisite! - Informed Collector
UPDATE
- 2010 Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition
- BLOG : View and read about my daily painting here.
My daily painting is also featured at:
The Daily Painters Art Gallery and Daily Paintworks
- Featured article: American Artist/Watercolor magazine (Summer, 2009)
- Join me on Facebook and follow my blog on NetworkedBlogs.
- PORTFOLIO : See my recent landscape watercolors of
France , Paris Cafι , Venice , California ,
Japan , Italy , Spain/Portugal , Other Favorites
- TESTIMONIALS : Read what my collectors say.
All images on this website are protected under the copyright laws
and may only be reproduced with written permission from the artist.
Biography
Keiko Tanabe is an award-winning watercolor artist. Her paintings have been juried into many exhibitions across North America and in her native country. Her work has been purchased by private collectors in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Keiko was born in Kyoto, Japan. As a child growing up in an art-loving family, she always enjoyed drawing and painting and won many awards in children's art contests. However, art was not her chosen field of study later on. She earned a B.A. in intercultural communication (International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan) and an M.A. in international education (UCLA, California). She then worked in international relations positions in a Japanese government trade organization in Tokyo, at a large law firm in San Francisco and at a private consulting firm in San Diego before she became a stay-at-home mother in 1996. In the last 25 years, she has traveled extensively, mainly in European countries, Asia and North America.
Through all these years, Keiko knew there was in her heart the growing desire to someday become an artist. That, fueled by her love of travel and strong interest in other cultures, eventually found its way out in 2003. After learning basic drawing and watercolor painting skills at a local community school in San Diego, she took on her first project as an artist together with her father, a renowned scholar of French literature in Japan. Through the Azure Sea and Sky of Provence: A Tribute to Her Joie de Vivre (Kosei Publishing, Osaka, Japan; details ) was published in August, 2003, authored by her father and illustrated by Keiko. From then on, she intensely taught herself to be fluent in watercolor painting, just as one would do to master a foreign language.
Keiko embarked on a professional art career in 2005 and started exhibiting publicly. She also discovered the joy of plein-air painting in a workshop with Alvaro Castagnet in April that year. Keiko was selected to be a featured artist of ArtWalk 2008. In the summer of 2009, she was chosen to participate in the 4θme Biennale de l'Aquarelle in Brioude, France as the first exhibitor from the United States (link ). Keiko lives in San Diego, California with her son.
Outdoor demonstration (Brioude, France)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Watercolor West (juried member)
- American Watercolor Society
- David Gale Memorial Award (Second Place) and People's Choice Award (2009) Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Exhibition
- Da Vinci Paint Award (2009); Atlanta Artists Center Award (2008); Dr. Ph Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor Award (2006) Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition
- Polly Howerton Transparent Watercolor Award (2009) Texas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition
- Best of Show (2008, 2007, 2006); Best Theme Painting Award (2008); Best of Miniatures (2009, 2007, 2006, 2005) San Diego Watercolor Society Juried Member Exhibit
- Sam Black Award for Excellence in Transparent Watercolour (2008) Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour Open Juried Art Exhibition
- First Place in the watercolor category (2008) Affaire in the Gardens Art Show, Beverly Hills, California
- Third Place, Travel Show Award (2008); Winsor & Newton Award, Artist & Craftsman Supply Co. Award, Travel Show Award (2006) Kentucky Watercolor Society National Aqueous USA
- North Light Books Award (2008); Cheap Joe's Art Stuff Award (2007) Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open Annual International Exhibition
- Honorable Mention (2008) Louisiana Watercolor Society 38th International Exhibition
- Merit Award (2008) Society of Watercolor Artists 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
- Merit Award (2008) Watercolor Art Society - Houston 31st Annual International Exhibition
- Second Place (2007) The Richeson 75: Landscape & Exteriors Competition
- Third Place (2007); Honorable Mention (2005) Wyoming Watercolor Society Annual National Exhibition
- Jack Richeson & Co., Inc. Award (2007) Red River Watercolor Society National Watermedia Exhibition
- Grand Prize (2005); Honorable Mention (2006) Learning & Product Expo Juried Art Show
- Third Place and Vernon Council of the Arts Award (2006) Red River Valley Museum National Juried Art Exhibition
- Robert Reynolds Founder's Award (2006) Central Coast Watercolor Society Aquarius Pacific Regional Exhibition
- First Place (2007); Second Place (2006, 2005); Honorable Mention (2008) San Diego County Fair Art Show
- First Place (2007) La Jolla Art Association Open Juried Exhibition of Plein-Air Artwork
- Second Place (2007) Southwestern Artists' Association Annual Juried Art Show
- Juror's Commendation (2007) Brandon Gallery "Small Treasures" Fine Art Show
- Honorable Mention (2007, 2006) Studio Art & Design Open Juried Watermedia Exhibit
- Certificate of Merit (2007) La Jolla Art Association's Annual San Diego County Awards Show
- Third Place (2007, 2006) The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery Annual Fine Arts Show
- Honorable Mention (2007) San Dieguito Art Guild "Small Image: Annual Southern California Art Show"
- First Place (2006) Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League Annual Open Juried Fine Arts Show
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
2010 Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition Quanhua Watercolour Art Gallery, Shanghai, China 4/15/2010-10/31/2010 Reception: 4/15/2010 ()
Workshop "Applying Perspective to Landscapes" San Diego Watercolor Society 12/4/2010-12/5/2010 Reception: ()
Upcoming Workshops
Other Web Pages that Keiko Tanabe Recommends you visit
(These pages are not necessarily about Keiko Tanabe)
