Meet Yuko Kyutoku | Visual Artist, Art Therapist, Founder, Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, Certified Ayurvedic Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuko Kyutoku and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yuko, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I am a Japanese artist and art therapist, and I am currently based in New York. I am really passionate about art and the healing aspects of art. Art has always had a special place in my heart since I was a child. I was born into a doctor’s family who appreciates art so much. My father is especially a collector of art, and he purchased and displayed many paintings in our house in Japan. When I was a kid, my family used to sign me up for many art classes, including ceramics, painting, and collage, in the city center. I develop my passion and appreciation for art by attending these classes. Also, my grandmother was an oil painter, and I loved visiting her small studio after school. These experiences definitely piqued my interest in art. Also, I often received compliments and awards for my projects, which enhanced my self-esteem. When I create something and express myself through the art medium, I feel happy and also relax. These childhood experiences impacted my life and helped me further pursue my career in the creative field. I came to the US for my education, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in painting, drawing, and printmaking at SUNY Purchase and a master’s degree in art therapy at New York University.

My art and art therapy creative process is transformative. Traveling, visiting museums and galleries, participating in cultural experiences workshops and classes, practicing mindfulness, yoga,  aromatherapy, taking psychotherapy trainings, reading literature, watching films, practicing Buddhism, listening to music, and meeting other artists all offered me with inspiration.
I can utilize all of my interests in both art and art therapy practices to create something meaningful for the viewers and my patients at the children’s hospital.

They inspire me and influence the art I create. I believe that life events provide numerous opportunities and enrich, personalize, and differentiate my artwork. It also allows me to connect with and work with diverse communities by integrating all of my life’s skills and experiences. My profession is my passion, and there are many things I want to do in my life.

I’m grateful that all of my hobbies and life experiences can have a direct impact and produce something meaningful when I create artwork, as well as when I work with and serve children and young people with neurological disorders. I am grateful that I can help with art, which is something I enjoy doing to support those who are going through difficult periods in their lives.

I am really passionate about art, art therapy, and mental health, and I hope to contribute more in the future. I did a solo and two-person show in a local project art space that featured artworks about mental health from the previous year, which was a success. I also enjoy sharing my creations with others, and I have upcoming art shows in London, UK, Athens, Barcelona, Greece, and Times Square, New York. I also hope to have two solo shows at Yada City Gallery in Japan in the next years, as well as create a children’s book about mental health. It brings me great joy to share my initiatives with others, especially those that promote mental health and reduce stigma in the community. This is a satisfying experience for me. Lastly, I am ranching my business and I am also a founder of STUDIO COSMO, LLC who provide holistic services as well as visual art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I get inspiration from everything in life, and my artistic process is transformative. I love traveling, visiting museums and galleries, reading literature, meeting local artists, going to new cafes and restaurants, talking to other mental health professionals, watching films, listening to music, and meeting other artists. I get inspiration from these experiences and make art based on them. I feel that life experiences open up many opportunities and make my artwork richer, more personal, and more unique.

In addition to my life experiences, my cultural background influences my style of art. During my senior year, I was searching for my unique style. I also received many pieces of advice from my mentor, Susanna Heller, during the year, and she encouraged me and pushed me to expand my skills, such as finding my voice and polishing it. I started experimenting with a variety of materials, including gel pens, gouache paints, watercolor, printmaking, inks, Sumi inks, oil, pens, pastel drawings, and others, and I discovered a love of gouache, particularly Japanese gouache brands, Sakura Paints, for my mediums to use in my art. I loved using the Turner brand because it gives me rich, deep, and thick textures in my art. They also have Japanese colors, which are called Japanesque. I also studied Japanese traditional paintings and did much research. I also realized that I love Japanese art, especially ukiyo-e paintings, which use deep blue colors that fascinate me. When I went back to Japan, I went to a local art shop to purchase Japanese brushes and Japanese painting pigments, and I started using them for my paintings. I was very happy when I found the traditional Japanese colors. I incorporate these colors into my art. My artistic style is influenced by both Japanese and American cultures.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are some places and people I recommend in LA. One of them is my artist friend, Kaori Matsutsuru. She is an actress, jewelry designer, and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. She designs and produces beautiful handmade jewelry, which also has benefits for the mind and body. I like her design! Calming Spot is an amazing place where you can receive sound bath meditation services. I attended several sound bath workshops as well as read related books. I recommend the practice, and I enjoy it.

I would say there are many interesting and exciting places to visit if you have a chance to make visit i New york.
I would recommend Cafe Grumpy. I like the coffee they produce and also they promote local artsits and offer them to do their shows at their places. Their places are very creates and you can also get their special coffee brand at local stores also. I also had multiple exhibitions at Cafe Grumpy before. I also recommend Photo Studio by Ramsey Vasquez who is one of my great artists friends. If you want someone special for your photos, I recommend him for photo shoot sessions. It is great that there are some natures you can feel in New York City area. I personally like Astoria Park where is located in Astoria and there are many cafes and shops nearby and it is great to recharge and refresh going out for nature. These are places you can definitely check out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who inspire me and support me in my life, and without them, I would not be working as an artist and therapist today. First of all, I would like to thank my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, so much. Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author, and poet who spent his life promoting a culture of peace via dialogue. I learned so much from him, and I incorporate Buddhist philosophy into my artwork oftentimes. My artworks often express the beauty of nature, portraying individuals who I meant in my life to embrace their uniqueness as well as a message of peace. I also facilitate multiple seasonal and cultural workships and events at my workplaces because, as Dr. Ikeda said, culture is an elevated expression of the inner voice that the different peoples of the Earth have heard in the depths of their being, a voice that conveys the vibrant compassion and wisdom of the cosmic life. For different cultures to engage in interaction, it is to catalyze each other’s souls and foster mutual understanding.

Second of all, my family members, who always support me no matter what, They are my biggest fans of my art and art therapy practice. It was not always a smooth path as an artist and art therapist, and I had some moments when I doubted my capability and talent. However, my family always encouraged me and helped me to keep moving forward.
I feel truly grateful that I have my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, and my wonderful family in my life.

Website: https://yukokyutoku.squarespace.com

Instagram: yuko.kyutoku

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-kyutoku-907252180/

Image Credits
PC: Ramsey Vazquez