hihiro studied design and oil painting in Tokyo, Japan. She began her career in the field of interior design and progressed to creating landscaping perspectives for one of the largest housing developers in Japan. Moving on to pursue her passion in watercolor painting, she then focused on botanical watercolors. Her paintings have won competitions in New York and her paintings have become popular as book covers, stationary, and greeting cards throughout Japan. Reflecting years of formal training in traditional oil painting, her warm style evokes a sense of love and healing. When Chihiro encounters a really moving scene, she tries to sketch it and keep these sketches in a file. From this source she develops a whole concept of the work she is going to draw. She draws several rough sketches for this. She aims to visualize the moving scene that impressed her. A still life, a landscape scene, a cut-out of peoples life, or a motif of peace is incredibly beautiful to her. These images capture her artistic attention like a child's smile or a bouquet of flowers. Although what is expressed on a board is no more than shapes and colors, she aims to reflect her feelings and thoughts through her works. Her work merges European and Japanese styles. She strives for her drawings to contain a touch of Japanese atmosphere. She always wishes that her works have such dignity and depth that they could give some peace of mind or healing to those who view them. She wants to continues on this path and would like to develop her internal world as well as her drawing skill. Chihiro currently residents in Boston, MA with her husband and their daughter. Exhibitions: 2009 NAA Bonnar Show, Armenian Library and Museum of America, MA 2009 SILA Illustration West 47 Gallery Show,Gallery Nucleus, CA 2009 NAA Group Show, Scandinavian Living Center, Newton, MA 2009 NAA Group Show, Newton Culture Center, Newton, MA 2008 Concord Art Association, Holiday Show, Concord, MA 2008 Solo Exhibition, Starbacks Coffee, Chestnut Hill, MA 2006 Concord Art Association, Holiday Show, Concord, MA 2005 Concord Art Association, Holiday Show, Concord, MA 2003 Group Exhibition of Five Japanese Artists - Saitama, Japan 2002 Solo Exhibition, Quench Gallery, Saitama, Japan 2002 Japan Wildlife Art Society Group GrExhibition, Tokyo, Japan 2001 Japan Wildlife Art Society Group Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan 2001 Travel show of Botanical Art, Delaware Center for Horticulture Gallery, DE 2001 Travel show of Botanical Art, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA Honors: 2009 The Society of Illustrators of L.A, Illustration West 47, CA 2006 Selected for Concord Free Public Library of Solo Show, Concord, MA 2005 Selected for Lyme Art Association of Invitational Show, CT 2000 American Society of Botanical Artist 3rd Annual Show, NYC, NY 1998 Ueno Royal Museum, Nature Painting Show, Tokyo, Japan Work History: Poster of Kabuki Show in NY, Japanese Association of Greater Boston 2007 Children Portraites, Personal Commissions, MA 2004-2008 Editorial Illustration, Veterinary Magazine of Japan 2007 Drawing Dogs' Portrait at Live. the 6th PetTrek Walkathon, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, MA 2006 Book Cover Illustration "The Little Prince and Eternal Joy" PARORU Publishing Company, Japan 2002 Greeting Card Illustrations, Mailbox Co.,Ltd, Japan 2002 Post Card Illustrations, Letter Set Illustraions, Mailbox Co.,Ltd, Japan 2002 Articles: Interview by J Magazine Feb No.149, Boston, MA, 2006 Retailing by Catalog from Senshukai Co.,Ltd Japan. 2003 Educations: Graduated from Musashino Art University, Japan, Studied Oil painting Graduated from Art and Design of Women High School attached to the University, Japan Memberships: Society of Illustrators Los Angeles Newton Art Association, Boston For Information or Comments e-mail me! Copyright © 2009 Chihiro Yabe All Rights Reserved.