I got to visit the Bahamas twice in 2018. Each time I painted a mural in the private residence where I was staying.
Bahama murals
December 31st, 2018Peace Poles
December 31st, 2018In May 2018 I was invited to paint a couple of peace poles that were sponsored by The Woodinville Rotary. Each pole is supposed to represent peace. I was partnered with two local businesses: Banner Bank and Illusion Studios. The poles are at the new DeYoung park downtown Woodinville.
Dress For Success
December 31st, 2018Spring 2018 I got to paint a mural for the entrance of Dress for Success. It’s a great organization that helps dress women so they can re-enter the workplace. I decided to make a mural with flowers from around the world to represent the different cultural backgrounds of the female clientele.
Immigration Signs
September 2nd, 2017The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) and the Seattle Parks and Recreation (PARKS) commissioned me to create a temporary installation at The Ballard Commons Park. I did my installation about refugees and immigrants. I gathered information from ReWA (https://www.rewa.org) that gives aid to women and immigrant families, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (https://www.nwirp.org/) and my mother a former ESL teacher to get content for the signs.
Language: Immigrants and refugees may speak many other languages besides English before they come to America. ELL (English Language Learners) classes could be available but some are afraid to attend because of a fear of authorities or have no access to transportation.
Isolation: Immigrants and refugees suffer from isolation. They may not know how to speak English or be in culture shock. Some suffer from depression or anxiety caused by economic instability and/or post traumatic stress.
Justice: In Washington State undocumented immigrants have no access to a public defender. If an immigrant or refugee is sent to a detention center and cannot afford to hire a lawyer they must face court alone and potential deportation.
Family Separation: Undocumented Immigrant families face potential separation at any time. Families have been encouraged to develop plans for what to do in such a situation. If the kids are allowed to remain in the US they must decide who the child will live with.
Driver’s License: It is possible for undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license in some states. As of February 2016 the list includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington. Driving without a license is illegal and if an undocumented immigrant is caught without one they can be sent to a detention center and be deported.
About Arts in the Parks
In 2018 the City is investing in a new online Citywide grants platform that will produce a better experience for applicants and aligns with race and social justice values by providing more equity in opportunities for artists and communities of color, is a major undertaking for ARTS and the City. While ARTS transitions to the new platform Arts in Parks will continue to partner with Seattle Parks and Recreation (PARKS) to increase arts and community events in parks throughout the city. The Arts in Parks Program (AIP) is an opportunity for the city to invest in the vibrant cultural work being done in and by diverse communities throughout Seattle.
Mural #3
August 21st, 2016Mural #3 in a four story walk up in Amsterdam
Mural #2
August 21st, 2016
Mural #2 of The European mural tour
Mural #1
August 21st, 2016
The first mural of my European mural tour
Matisse
September 10th, 2015
Painted this mural for my sister’s apartment in Berlin last year. It is a copy of Matisse’s “1000 Nights”.
Twin Ponds Park Mural
September 10th, 2015Commission by the Parkwood Association to do a mural at Twin Ponds Park.
Article here: https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2015/09/twin-ponds-park-restroom-gets-makeover.html
Parkwood Neighborhood Association awarded Neighborhood Minigrant to revitalize Twin Ponds
Parkwood Neighborhood Association (PNA), second place winner of the 2014 Neighborhood of the Year award from Neighborhoods USA, continues its placemaking efforts by adding a mural and community bulletin board to the restroom walls at Twin Ponds Park.
PNA chose this project as a strategic effort to create a space where residents feel inspired by nature, art and play. The mural, created by artist Michiko Tanaka of Seattle, was designed to celebrate elements of the park: trees, ducks, herons and the logo from the Parkwood Neighborhood Association. Tanaka was selected following a competitive open call for artists from the community.
Seattle Storefronts
October 24th, 2014Doing a faux stained glass installation at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle. Opening November 2014. More information can be found at: https://storefrontsseattle.com/2013/05/31/storefronts-seattle-is-proud-to-announce-the-2013-2014-artist-roster/
Just in time for winter – Water, water everywhere in South Lake Union
Shunpike’s Storefronts program returns to South Lake Union with a new series for the dark days of winter. From 3-D abstractions to carousel horses, manipulated photos of water, kinetic birds, and needle-felted white deer, we are proud to present these eight new installations from our roster.
Michiko Tanaka
Underwater
Artist and scenic designer Michiko Tanaka’s Underwater installation is influenced by her stint as a stained glass artist working in churches and cathedrals. She uses traditional theatre set painting and lighting techniques to create a simulacrum of a stained glass window influenced by Japanese fables.