ABOUT YOKO
"Painting has taught me to let go. When I picked up a brush for the first time, I felt a transformative sense of freedom and release."
Born in Tokyo, Japan.
She has studied painting with Naomi Campbell, Richard Segalman, Burt Silverman, Irwin Greenberg, Charles Reid, and Mel Stabin.
Yoko is a signature member of Allied Artist of America, American Artists Professional League, North East Watercolor Society, Baltimore Watercolor Society and New Jersey Watercolor Society where her work has been recognized with numerous awards.
EDUCATION
University of Sacred Heart, Tokyo
Fashion Institute of Technology
Gemmological Institute of America
Art Students League of New York
PUBLICATIONS
LINEA: Art Journal, Arts Students League of New York, 2013, Cover
Art Times, December 2000, Pg 14
Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused by Mel Stabin, 1999, Pg 43
Woodstock Times, July 24, 2003, “Stabin and Wakabayashi at Woodstock Watercolors”
Hudson Guide June 2003
Times Herald Record, Friday April 11 2003, “Showing the way in watercolors”
The Ridgewood News, December 13 2002, “Watercolors adorn Valley’s gallery"
The Ridgewood News, April 19 2002, “Red Cross raises funds with a beautiful art show"
The Ridgewood News, March 15 2002, “Country’s best artists vie for awards in Ridgewood”
EXHIBITIONS
Naples, Italy, Two Women show, 2014
Salmagundi Club NY, 2013
Saci Gallery, Florence, Italy, 2013
Interchurch Center, NY, "A Journey in Watercolors" Two Women, 2007
Piermont Fine Arts Gallery, NY Solo Show, 2001 to 2007
New Jersey Valley Hospital, "Untitled", with Mel Stabin, 2006
Woodstock Art Gallery, "People and Places" with Mel Stabin, 2005
Cottage Place Gallery, NJ "Two Women on Mexican Time", 2002
NATIONAL SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
New Jersey Watercolor Society, 1998 to 2010
American Watercolor Society, 2009
American Artists Professional League 1999 to 2008
Allied Artists of America 1999 to 2008
Northeast Watercolor Society 1998 to 2008
Community Arts Association 1998 to 2008
Baltimore Watercolor Society 2000 to 2006
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 2001
AWARDS
Art Students League, Best in Show, 2011
New Jersey Watercolor Society, The Contessa Bondardi Memorial Award, 2005
Hudson Valley Art Association, Muriel Alvoid Memorial Award, 2002 and 2003
Northeast Watercolor Society, Hudson HIghland Cruise Award, 2002
Baltimore Watercolor Society, Waterworks Award, 2002
Catharine Lorillard Wofe Art Club, Cynthia Shipp Goodgal Memorial Award, 2001
Fairlawn Art Association, First Prize, 2001
Ringwood Manor Association of Arts, First Prize, 2001
Ridgewood Arts Institute, Judith Seldman Award Memorial Award, 2000
New Jersey Watercolor Society, WInsor Newton Merchandise Award, 2000
Salmagundi Club, Allied Artist of America Award, 1999
Ringwood Manor Association, American Artist Magazine Award, 1999
New Jersey Watercolor Society, Associate Member Award, 1998
Central New York Watercolor Society, 1998