Meet Ms.Okano

Early childhood memories are filled with fond recollections of playing with paint and clay in the basement of MOMA in N.Y.C. I received my  formal art training from The Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in N.Y.C., where I immersed myself in a full spectrum of art including Painting, Printmaking and Western Calligraphy.  It was at an Art Show at The Japan Society in N.Y.C., where I first became fully captivated by the power and beauty of abstract black and white forms that emerge when Painting and Calligraphy become one. Happily, this newfound connection I had made with the Art of Japanese calligraphy inspired me to go to Japan where I went to study Japanese Calligraphy and Painting with a Master calligrapher and National Treasure. It opened up new paths for me and enabled me to go well below the surface of my paintings to develop a new awareness of line and space. What an enormous impact this has had on my art as well as my life. My work in oil, acrylic, tempera and sumi ink are an endless exploration of dynamic color combinations, lines, bold forms and a celebration of Eastern and Western influences. Living in Hawaii for the last 25 years, with my husband (from the Big Island), and 3 sons enables me to be surrounded by the best of both worlds. I received my Education degree from Hunter College in NYC and Graduate degree at UH Manoa in East Asian Art history & Japanese Language and Calligraphy. As a Fulbright scholar I returned to Japan to see if the art & cultural traditions of Japan are still being learned, preserved, perpetuated and practiced with the children of Japan. I am currently the art Specialist-instructor at Hanahau’oli School, previously taught at The Honolulu Museum of Art, presently do Saturday classes at Art Tent and teach art during the summers at Punahou School. I am a professional Artist and been the recipient of multiple art awards over the years. exhibiting at Louis Pohl Gallery HJCC, HISAM, Linekona, Fishcake Gallery, Honolulu Hale, Manoa Gallery, HPU, DAC, Hoomaluhia, Pioneer Plaza & Pauahi Tower.