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Focal Point: Keiko Tanabe
Visit Keiko Tanabe's Canvoo Focal Point on the web

Atmosphere and intrigue come to life in these soulful and expressive masterful watercolors. The depth, the detail, the light... simply exquisite!

- Informed Collector

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The Artist Says:

"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."

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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."

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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.

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Other Web Pages with info about Keiko Tanabe

Keiko Tanabe's Main Artist Website

Daily Paintworks

 

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Biography

 

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.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

- National Watercolor Society, signature member
- American Watercolor Society
- North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA), founding member
- Japan Watercolor Society


MEDIA COVERAGE/PUBLICATION/PRINT

- 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)

- Artist's Impression Keiko Tanabe , Destinasian Magazine, (December, 2011)

- Artists Raise $30,000 Online for Japanese Tsunami Survivors (by Byron Kerman), Professional Artist, Volume 25, Number 6 (July/August, 2011)

- Keiko Tanabe , San Diego Talent Magazine, Issue 4 (May, 2011)

- The Way of the World (by Ann Emmert Abbott), Watercolor Artist, F+W Media, Inc. (December, 2010)

- Minimal Means, Maximum Impact (by John A. Parks), American Artist/Watercolor, Interweave Press (Summer, 2009)

- Splash 11: New Directions , North Light Books (June, 2010)

- Splash 10: Passionate Brushstrokes , North Light Books (May, 2008)

- Del Mar Times Arts & Culture, Del Mar Times (May 16, 2008)

- Prism, San Diego Watercolor Society (March, 2008)


MEDIA COVERAGE/ONLINE

- Keiko Tanabe , A Devoted Art by Cheryl Devoto, TWS (March 18, 2012)

- Gourmet Veggie Tales - Chino's Farm by Keiko Tanabe , Rancho Santa Fe News (February 20, 2012)

- Keiko Tanabe , Lines and Colors by Charley Parker (September 8, 2011)

- Keiko Tanabe , Informed Collector, FineArtStudioOnline (September 8, 2011)

- Jukucho no nikki (Jukucho's Journal) by Kazuo Kasai (August 19, 2011)

- Keiko Tanabe Interview , Art of Watercolors by Sterkhov K. (February 7, 2011)

- Keiko Tanabe Scheduled Workshops , Watercolor Painting by Fernando Pena (February 5, 2011)

- Daily Paintworks Interview, Artists Discuss (Sep-Dec, 2010)

- Watercolor Artist Keiko Tanabe Studio Blog , Artworks of Candor Sudio by Charles Taggart (May 3, 2010)

- Keiko Tanabe , Informed Collector, FineArtStudioOnline (January 28, 2010)

- Keiko Tanabe {Art} (by Janelle Steinberg), {Maison Classique}, J. Steinberg Design (November 19, 2009)

- Fine Art Views Daily Newsletter , FineArtStudioOnline (November 5, 2008; Issue #266)

- artcollector , FineArtStudioOnline (October 3, 2008)

- Keiko Tanabe, Informed Collector, FineArtStudioOnline (May 7, 2008)


RECENT EXHIBITIONS (Selected)
2012

- Signature American Watercolor Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

- "Stepping Over the Line" (Group Exhibition of the North American Watercolor Artists), Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.

2011

- National Watercolor Society 2011 91st Annual Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

- "Ambiances de France" (Solo Exhibition), California, U.S.A.

- 3rd Contemporary International Outstanding Watercolor Painters Nomination Exhibition, Hangzhou, China

- Asian Watercolours 2011, Seoul, Korea

- San Diego Watercolor Society 31st International Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

- II Bienal Iberoamericana de la Acuarela - Madrid 2011, Madrid, Spain

- Taiwan International Watercolor Exhibition Invitational, Taipei, Taiwan

- 5ème Biennale d'Aquarelle, Brioude, France

- 12ème Biennale du Salon de l'Aquarelle de Belgique, Namur, Belgium

- American Watercolor Society 144th Annual International Exhibition, New York City, U.S.A.

- Signature American Watercolor Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

- 9th Watercolor International Biennial Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

2010

- 7th International Watercolor Biennial Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile

- National Watercolor Society 90th Anniversary Annual Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

- II Encuentro de Acuarelistas Hispanoamericanos, Guayaquil, Ecuador

- Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition, Shanghai, China

2009

- 34th Annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition, California, U.S.A.

2008

- Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour Annual Juried Exhibition, Toronto, Canada

- American Academy of Equine Art Fall Open Juried Exhibition, Kentucky, U.S.A.

- Watercolor U.S.A. 2008, Missouri, U.S.A.


HONORS & AWARDS (Selected)

- Finalist (2012) - February 2012 FineArtViews BoldBrush Painting Competition

- Benbrook Family Award & People's Choice Award (2011) - San Diego Watercolor Society 31st International Exhibition

- Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor (2011) - July 2011 FineArtViews BoldBrush Painting Competition

- Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor (2011) - June 2011 FineArtViews BoldBrush Painting Competition

- Joan Roche Memorial Award (2011) – 2011 Signature American Watercolor Exhibition

- Merwin Altfeld Memorial Award (2010) – National Watercolor Society 90th Annual Exhibition

- Edward & Gail Rogers Award (2010) – San Diego Watercolor Society 30th International Exhibition

- Finalist (2010) – 27th Annual Art Competition, The Artist's Magazine

- First Place (2010) – Il Encuentro de Acuarelistas Hispanoamericanos, Guayaquil, Ecuador

- First Place (2010) – Spa Velia Art Gallery First Juried Art Exhibition

- Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor (2010) – May 2010 FineArtViews BoldBrush Painting Competition

- Third Place (2010) – April 2010 FineArtViews BoldBrush Painting Competition

- Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor (2010) – March 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition

- Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor (2010) – December 2009 FineArtViews Painting Competition

- 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

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Upcoming Events and Exhibits

 

Art & Soul, Coastal Artists Exhibition
Rancho Santa Fe Library, San Diego, California
3/3/2012-4/5/2012
Reception: 3/17/2012 (2-4pm)

2ème Salon International de l'Aquarelle 2012
Espace Bonnais, Caussade-en-Quercy, France
3/17/2012-4/1/2012
Reception: (6pm)

The 2nd Annual Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art
Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A.
4/20/2012-5/20/2012
Reception: 4/20/2012 (6-8pm)

Trienal Internacional de la Acuarela 2012
El Museo Bolivariano, Santa Maria, Colombia
5/2/2012-7/17/2012

Biennale d’Aquarelle de Rochemaure
Château de Joviac, Rochemaure, France
7/7/2012-7/15/2012
Reception: 7/6/2012

Biennale Internationale d’Aquarelle de Sainte-Féréole
Sainte-Féréole, France
7/21/2012-8/5/2012

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Workshops

 

 France Painting Holiday
Bandouille, Poitou Charentes, France
4/15/2012-4/21/2012

 

Capturing Light and Atmosphere in Watercolor
NWS Bldg., San Pedro, California
5/4/2012-5/6/2012

Capturing Light and Atmosphere in Watercolor
NWS Bldg., San Pedro, California
5/11/2012-5/13/2012

"Shimmering Light" Watercolor Workshop
Le Vieux Couvent, Frayssinet, France
7/10/2012-7/19/2012

 

For questions, please contact US Representative:

Kristin Smith Procter

Old Stockholm School House

W12162 Second Street - P.O. Box 15

Stockholm WI  54769

715.442.4494 (home)  715.338.8439 (cell)

Biennale Internationale d’Aquarelle
Sainte-Féréole, France
7/22/2012-7/23/2012

Watercolor Workshop
Northstar Watercolor Society, Minnesota, U.S.A.
10/15/2012-10/19/2012

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm.   Contact Northstar Watercolor Society to register.

$360 for NSWS members, $385 for non-members.

A national watercolor magazine describes Keiko Tanabe's paintings in the following manner: Using subtle washes and minimal detail, Keiko Tanabe creates a powerful sense of time and place.  She uses open washes of watercolor to suggest deep, moody shadows of a street; buildings, cars, and figures dissolve into the air and light around them.  The artist conjures up the thick dampness of the morning air as it hangs over the old buildings.

This workshop is designed for students who would like to gain a better understanding of methods and techniques to create watercolor paintings that are full of light and atmosphere.  Keiko will guide you through the basics of good design, tonal values, a variety of techniques for paint application and brush handling.  Look for plenty of demonstrations and one-on-one guidance.

 

Capturing Light & Atmosphere in Watercolor
San Diego Watercolor Society, California, U.S.A.
11/12/2012-11/15/2012

Time: 9:00am - 3:30pm.  Contact San Diego Watercolor Society to register.

$425 for SDWS members, $465 for non-members.

This workshop is designed for students who would like to gain a better understanding of methods and techniques to create watercolor paintings that are full of light and atmosphere.  Keiko will guide you through the basics of good design, tonal values, a variety of techniques for paint application and brush handling.  Look for plenty of demonstrations and one-on-one guidance.

San Diego Watercolor Society Workshops

Capturing Light and Atmosphere in Watercolor
Center for the Arts, Bonita Springs, Florida
3/25/2013-3/29/2013

Painting Tour to Spain
Barcelona & Costa Brava
5/10/2013-5/17/2013

Let Spain seduce you! Costa Brava, where the mountains meet the sea, is the setting of this exciting painting tour in the province of Gerona. Craggy cliffs, sandy coves, pristine beaches and inland, the fascinating, ancient history all await to be painted and experienced. This region was also the home and setting for the surreal world of Salvadore Dali.  Register by August 30, 2012 to receive a discount ($200 off).  $3,190 after August 31.

 

  

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Other Web Pages Keiko Tanabe Recommends
(These pages are not necessarily about Keiko Tanabe)

International Watercolor Artists

LA Art Guide

My Favorite Art Websites/Blogs

National Watercolor Society

San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN)

The Painter's Keys

Travel: Americans in France

Watercolor Online

WatercolorPainting.com