Meet Ken Toki | Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Toki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken, why did you pursue a creative career?
From earliest memory I was attracted to the beauty of all nature, plants, fish, insects, animals.
My father took me to museums as a child. I never forgot these works of art.
I slowly realized that I could also create art by myself. I received some art awards as a child
at school. I could not make much art while I pursued my career, but upon my retirement I went to an art shop
and asked for the necessary materials to begin making fine art. I believed this would be my way forward for the rest of my life. I have not yet stopped painting.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All artists have a different art mind, so all are completely different.
I did not go to kindergarten when I was small; most of the time I played near the riverside, swam with koi fish or went to the forest to collect beetles and butterflies.
I began to paint after my retirement. After visiting a mountain hot springs, I painted seven large Waterside works in oil. My style at that time resembled that of Monet. I quickly changed my style as this was not a good reputation. Several of this series hangs at the onsen resort where I first visited, and several have been shown in museums throughout Japan. One hung in Paris, France at the Musee de la Marine with Bonnard.
I have since created abstract works in acrylic paints and printed monotypes at San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. After my move to the US in 2010 I enjoy watercolor; in 2023 I was able to achieve the Signature Status of Southwest Watercolor Society.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Grayson County, Pottsboro
Clark’s Outpost Barbeque, Pilot Point
Angelika Cinema, Shops at Legacy Plano
Central Market, Plano
Kura Sushi, Frisco, Plano
Artist Ivanevid Llamas, Last Art Gallery Studio, Murals at Cotton Mill and The Cove, McKinney
Artists Gail Delger and Dana Brock Studio, Cotton Mill, McKinney

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Art itself encourages me. Art develops character, Art is my teacher and friend.
Art makes you live longer.
As a child I had no toy only crayons and newsprint for drawing.
I drew for hours every day often falling asleep with my crayons on the floor.
I watched clouds drift and change shape; the colors of the sky from morning until sunset.
I quickly learned that every day God paints a huge new canvas.
Anytime, anywhere I can contact art as art comes to mind quickly, living in my brain.
Wherever I go I can make art.

Other: tokifineart@yahoo.com

Image Credits
Frances Toki