San Francisco-based Mixed Media Artist Taiko Fujimura designed this year’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival poster. Taiko’s work is a beautiful fusion of watercolor, ink, acrylic, and oil, depicting a colorful and emotional journey through her experiences and connections with the world around her.
You may recognize her artwork through the Hearts in San Francisco, a public art project that started in 2004, for which she designed five hearts. Her art pieces seek to bridge the contradictions around us, where two opposites coexist, by unifying space. Her other amazing works have been exhibited locally in the de Young Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, and abroad at the Hirafuku Museum of Art and the Denshokan Museum in Akita, Japan.
In an exclusive interview, Taiko shared insights into her creative process and the motivation behind her art. She finds inspiration in everything around her, and at this point, she states, “It’s almost like sleeping or eating for me.” Her work often reflects her peaceful and harmonious personality, which she hopes will help people rebalance through nature. Taiko had some thoughtful insight about how she developed her art skills:
“It’s all about experimenting and repeating the same thing over and over. I have made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. A wise person once told me I could be any professional by practicing the same thing at least 1,000 times. I believe it’s so true.”
When asked about her inspiration behind this year’s Festival poster, she said her favorite part was brainstorming the concept. With her love for calligraphy, she sketched and painted the enso-circle, Japanese kanji for Matsuri 祭 (festival), and of course, cherry blossoms. She wanted to capture the essence of unity and celebration. She believes that art has the power to bring people together and create a sense of togetherness in the community, especially at the festival.
Taiko’s art has touched the hearts of many people, and her work reflects her inner calmness and appreciation for the world’s beauty. Thank you, Taiko-san, for sharing your artistic journey with us!
If you’re interested in discovering more of Taiko’s art, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook or visit her website at taikofujimura.com. If you want to meet Taiko and grab a poster yourself, drop by Japantown during the Festival on April 13, 14, and 20, 21, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.!
