 Avocados |
 Five Apples |
 Looking |
 Crab and Wave |
 Moon over Monument Valley |
 Pumpkin |
 Three Sisters, Fish |
Seven of Yoju's works are available in very limited
editions as unmounted Giclee prints.
Giclee prints are high quality, high resolution prints produced by an Iris
printer on Arches watercolor paper.
These prints were produced, under the artist's supervision, by nextMonet (previously
Visualize) in SanFrancisco. Previously marketed by nextMonet, Yoju's Studio
has purchased all remaining prints in each edition and offers them for your
availability. Each work is signed and numbered by the artist and is offered
at considerable cost saving to the customer.
Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) prints are made using a specialized ink spray process developed exclusively for fine art printing. The Artist's image is captured digitally and then refined by Yoju and the Master Printer to obtain the color and clarity elements of the work. Archival-quality paper is then exposed to a very fine spray of ink, which thereby transfers the image and creates the limited edition. The giclee process highlights Yoju's graphic brushstrokes and the woodblock print-like texture of these vivid works. Please inqire about availability
Art imitates nature, or does it enhance it? In her vibrant artwork, Yoju
takes familiar, everyday objects and makes them richer and more vibrant;
larger than life. A simple fish, a common apple: each becomes a celebration
of form, pattern and color. Strong, graphic lines create a woodcut effect,
and striking hues give each work a vivid clarity. With an attentive eye
and skilled technique, Yoju displays both the inner life and outer shape
of her subjects. Notice how she delineates particular features — a
fish’s eyes, a mountain’s shadows — through the emphasis
of line and varying shades of color. Yoju’s unique still lifes will
accent a dining room or kitchen, while her landscape artwork will add grace
to a living room or hallway. Representing a variety of subjects and styles,
they’ll show you life through art’s eyes.
INTERVIEW
Yoju was born and raised in Japan and studied at several prominent art academies in Tokyo. There she learned the art of creating ukiyo—e prints (formal color woodblock prints featuring landscapes or people in everyday scenes), and this subtle graphic effect is reflected in her art. In 1988, Yoju moved to California, where she currently lives and works. She has exhibited her artwork internationally, including at the Keio University in Shonan Fujisawa, Japan.
NextMonet: What inspires you?
Yoju: My inspiration stems primarily from my practice of the Buddhist philosophy.
I like to chant the sutra 'Hannya—shingyo,' which deals with the wisdom
of living from day to day. Through this I learn to think freely and not
be constrained by any particular view or fixed idea. My outlook is always
changing and I am ever looking for new things to observe and express.
NM: Have there been particular significant influences on your
career as an artist?
Y: My mother was the first major influence on my career. When I was a child
she would sometimes spend a week’s wages to buy the art materials I
needed to pursue my art interests. This sacrifice and support gave me the
important early boost to my career.
NM: Have you been influenced by the places you’ve lived?
Y: I was born and raised in Japan and lived there the first 40 years of
my life. There is a strong influence of Japanese culture in my work. The
next most significant influence was my move from Japan to California. The
opportunity to explore new subject matter was expanded greatly.
NM: What kinds of things do you like to portray in your art?
Y: I like to paint common subjects. I find interesting meaning in ordinary
things. For instance, I find it beautiful and enjoyable to paint even a
small stone. I always observe nature and express my feelings through my
work. I don’t distinguish between representation and abstraction, and
am not bound by historical trends and tradition.
BIO
Yoju’s vibrant colors, strong lines, and clean composition
demonstrate her background in watercolor and calligraphy and her native
Japanese culture. She earned degrees from the Maejima Academy of Art, the
Kuwasawa and Ootsuka Academy of Design, and the Pacific Ocean Academy of
Art, all in Tokyo. Since 1988, Yoju has made her home in California, where
the colors of the landscape continue to inform her delightful paintings.
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