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:
"The beauty, peace and joy you bring to others is constant, immeasurable and appreciated. Just a few moments looking at one of your glorious paintings and I'm filled with peace as if I've been meditating." -- Judy Prince
"Occasionally in life some people are fortunate to meet with something that speaks without words to them - in my case your paintings do that. It has given me a very special warm feeling to purchase a painting directly from you especially because we have direct personal contact. For me it is a very important factor and adds value to you." -- Kenji Asano
"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." -- Reneé 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
"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
"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:
"Keiko Tanabe translates what might be otherwise sentimental, emotional poignant personal subjects to objective and highly controlled subtle composition." -- Harriet Lesser, Curator, Strathmore Gallery, for "Stepping Over The Line" Exhibition of the North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA), January 2012.
Other Artists Say:
"I am taking the opportunity to encourage everyone to attend a workshop with Keiko. She is such a wonderful artist, and shares so well her passion!" -- Philippe Marty
"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
"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
"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
"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
Keiko Tanabe is an award-winning watercolor artist. Her paintings have been juried into many exhibitions across North America and in Asia and Europe. Her work has been purchased by private collectors from all around the world.
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. 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) 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 4ème Biennale de l'Aquarelle in Brioude, France as the first exhibitor from the United States. Keiko lives in San Diego, California with her son.
demo (Brioude, France) plein-air painting (California, USA) NAWA exhibition (Maryland, USA)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Watercolor Society, signature member
- American Watercolor Society
- North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA), founding member
- Japan Watercolor Society
MEDIA COVERAGE/PUBLICATION/PRINT
- Le Hors Série Tour du Monde de l'Aquarelle Portfolio Asie et Australie , Practique des Arts (November, 2012)
- ???????????? (Transparent watercolor works and lessons), Graphicsha (November, 2012)
- Awash in Watercolor - meet 10 artists who capture the world in a demanding medium , Southwest Art (April, 2012)
- The American Artist Series (by Gail. M. Weber), Exploring TOSCA, (Winter, 2012)
- 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
- 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
- Certificate of Merit (2007) – La Jolla Art Association's Annual San Diego County Awards Show
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
- Ye Qiangyu Art Museum, Tonglu County, Zhejiang, China
- Museu de Arte Contemporânea MAC Bahia, Senhor do Bonfim, Brazil
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
Printemps de l'Aquarelle 2013 Saint Cyr sur Mer (Var), France 5/17/2013-5/26/2013 Reception: 5/18/2013 (18h30)
PRINTEMPS de L'AQUARELLE à l'Espace Provence : du 17 au 26 Mai.
Au coeur de la Ville, exposeront 18 aquarellistes nationaux, régionaux et internationaux.
Mon stage: 20, 21, 22 Mai (information )
Ma démo: Jeudi 23 Mai, 10h30
3rd Japan Watercolor Society Group Exhibition Gallery Art Space Ryabina, Tokyo, Japan 6/4/2013-6/9/2013 Reception: ()
Encuentro de Acuarelistas Hispanoamericanos Museo de la cuarela del Estado de Mexico, Toluca 7/21/2013-8/31/2013 Reception: 7/21/2013 (12hs)
12th Rencontres Artistiques du Val d'Anglin Bélâbre (Indre - 36370), France 10/5/2013-10/13/2013 Reception: 10/4/2013 (7pm)
For more information on my workshop during the exhibition, please go to this link .
Les 12èmes RENCONTRES ARTISTIQUES DU VAL D'ANGLIN se tiendront du 05 au 13 octobre 2013
Salle des fêtes de Bélâbre (36370) - 4 bis avenue Jean Jaurès
Ouvert au public, en semaine de 11h à 19h, samedi et dimanche de 10h à 19h; Dimanche 13 octobre, clôture à 18h
Registration includes some materials and all instuction. Participants will receive a 15% off purchases at Art Supply Warehouse.
Rebecca Giesking Quiroz()
Capturing Light and Atmosphere in Watercolour(0) Derbyshire Arts Center, United Kingdom 6/25/2013-6/27/2013
- £330 for 3 days tuition including lunch
- £585 for 3 days/nights residential full board (£330 plus £255 based on single occupancy of a double en-suite room)
Please contact Ms. Sue Barber for more details and registration.
Email: sue@derbyshirearts.co.uk
Tel: 01629 534215
Sue Barber(sue@derbyshirearts.co.uk)
Capter la lumière et l’atmosphère en aquarelle(0) Château de Joviac, Rochemaure, France 7/6/2013-7/8/2013
Prix de 3 jours (fee for 3 days) : 210 euros
Pour s'incrire en ligne, cliquez ici. (To register, click here).
Titre : capter la lumière et l’atmosphère en aquarelle
Expérience recommandée = tous les niveaux (connaissances de base fortement recommandée)
Cet atelier est destiné aux stagiaires qui aimeraient gagner une meilleure compréhension des méthodes et techniques pour créer une aquarelle emplie de lumière et d’atmosphère.
Nous commencerons avec les fondamentaux et discuterons sur l’importance d’un bon dessin (perspective), la compréhension des valeurs tonales, la variété des techniques d’application de peinture et de maniement du pinceau, comment simplifier une scène complexe, etc…
Nous peindrons chaque jour différents sujets, en plein air si le temps le permet, et essaierons différentes approches pour découvrir ce qui est efficace pour créer le type d’atmosphère que nous désirons. Keiko fera chaque jour une ou deux démonstrations. Il y aura des phases quotidiennes de conseils individuels et de questions-réponses. Un bilan critique sera fait par les stagiaires à la fin de l’atelier.
Exemple de déroulement de mon atelier de trois jours :
1er jour : première démonstration (accent mis sur la perspective, le dessin, les valeurs). Les stagiaires peignent à partir de ce que j’ai fait en démonstration en suivant mes conseils donnés individuellement. Déjeuner. Après-midi : deuxième démonstration (accent mis sur le dessin, l’atmosphère et le choix des couleurs). Les stagiaires peignent à partir de ce que j’ai fait en démonstration en suivant les conseils que je donne individuellement.
2ème jour : Matin : retour sur le premier jour. Première démonstration (paysage). Les stagiaires peignent à partir de ce que j’ai fait en démonstration en suivant mes conseils donnés individuellement. Après-midi : deuxième démonstration (paysage aquatique), puis les stagiaires peignent à partir de ce que j’ai fait en démonstration en suivant mes conseils donnés individuellement.
3ème jour : retour sur le premier et le deuxième jour. Puis démonstration (un intérieur). Les stagiaires utilisent leurs propres références pour peindre d’après l’aquarelle de la démonstration. Je vais auprès de chacun pour donner des conseils individuels et répondre aux questions. Bilan critique à la fin de la session.
Michel Rabault(contact@rochemaureaquarelle.com)
Watercolor Workshop in Japan(760) Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan 7/29/2013-8/2/2013
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