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Graduated from Tama Art University, Tokyo B.F.A. in Oil Painting and Printing.
Joined Nippon Design Center, Ltd., Tokyo. Worked in Illustration Dept.
1989 Founded Atelier Za-O-Zoo and Kei's Co., Ltd. in Tokyo
2004: Founded NYCoo Gallery in New York. Director and member artist of NYCoo Gallery. |
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Keico is growing up in Tokyo, Japan, Watanabe became an illustrator with the particular knack for depicting everyday city life. Always curious, Watanabe often followed her intuition and traveled in search of a new world. Since arriving in New York City in 1999, Watanabe has been busy creatively, painting Manhattan and using the energy of its people as a main theme.
The air in New York does not tolerate any excuses from me, sharpening my senses that may become dull with rust. It thwarts the desire to resolve issues too easily and provides fresh insight, forcing me to question myself when I might try to put on a facade in front of a stranger, allowing me instead to proudly express myself in ways that I might otherwise hide from embarrassment. There is a mysterious power in this town. Perhaps because people of different ethnic backgrounds from all over the world live their unique individual lives here, I sometimes feel as though I might be crushed if I can’t express myself convincingly. But on the other hand, it’s a place where one can follow one’s feelings simply and honestly.
”Then at some point, she began to warm up to the idea of recreating the words of the Bible that she hears during Sunday sermons through her work.
The Bible says, “Man can not live on bread alone.” What this teaches, I believe, is that there is something more than bread that we need – the spirit of sharing and loving one another. I now understand the importance of spiritual enrichment that art, music and literature, among others, bring to maintain our mental and physical wellness needed to keep the pace with modern society.
Painting should be personal. It is a way for an artist, as a “visualizer” of his/her innermost thoughts, to communicate with the outside world.
My art takes shape and I establish my personal “artistic territory” through self-conflict that is the result of my creative drive, which itself is the result of fusion between my god-given being (body and soul) and every wisdom, knowledge and sensitivity I have nurtured since birth. I will be most delighted if I am able to successfully convey the God’s grace and blessings through my work. |
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