Dedicated to Mr. Yoshio Nakamura
This book is dedicated to Mr. Yoshio Nakamura.
Mr. Nakamura, my high school art teacher, taught me how to do woodblock prints and introduced me to the gorgeous varieties of Japanese handmade paper. I told my mom what an amazingly supportive teacher he was, always validating and encouraging! She wrote up what I said and submitted it to the Teacher of the Year contest. He won! He went on to teach at City College!
Later, because of his artistic influence on my life, I studied printmaking at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. My father had brought back some beautiful prints that I still have today. I have quite a collection including those prints of Hasui, Hiroshige, Hokusai and contemporary artists. I learned a deep appreciation of Japanese culture while studying the language intensively. I still try to visit Kyoto, Takayama and Nagoya every year!
When I was introduced to glass art by my mentor and teacher, Marlene Rose, and with the astute assistance of Chuck Boux at Sigma Studio, I started to think of other ways I could cast glass after making my prints. With the brilliant insight of my great friend and fellow artist, Sam Brewster, I began using my woodblocks by pressing them into the sand and pouring the molten glass directly into these impressions.
Over the decades I continued to communicate with Mr. Nakamura who will reach the age of 100 in 2025! A short while ago, we spent a lovely evening together during Thanksgiving vacation. I let him know one thing I was especially thankful for, knowing him and having him as an art teacher when I was sixteen years old. Mr. Nakamura recently celebrated his 75th art exhibition in Whittier, California. As a surprise, I purchased seven pieces of his artwork and held a show for him at Imagine Museum. This museum would not exist without the magical influence of Mr. Nakamura. It is incredible how one person can make such an impact on another person, especially a teacher. We should keep the importance of validation and acknowledgement in mind as we interact with others.
My gratitude is eternal!