About Page
Artist Statement
Biography
Painter, Yuka Imata, growing up in Sapporo, Japan, was always drawing and writing. While in junior high school, she encountered a Norman Rockwell exhibition. It wasn't an exhibition of original paintings but rather it was an exciting collection of his famous covers for the Saturday Evening Post. It didn't take long to draw Ms. Imata into Norman Rockwell's world. She was fascinated about the way he captured the beauty of every day life. It was her first realization of the profession, painter. After her graduation from high school, she decided to study English in college- thinking that she would study art in America.
Ms. Imata moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1996 and began studying English. One year later, she enrolled in the Massachusetts College of Art where she met her first figure drawing teacher, Paul Rahilly. While she was in the painting department, she won two scholarships; took one summer studying at the Art Students League with Ronald Sherr, and also took a semester course at the Scuola Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy. Being in Europe surrounded by masterpieces gave her a new appreciation for the old masters.
After earning a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art, she felt there was a necessity to train in figure painting. A decision was made before graduation to go back to the Art Students League of New York to study under Ronald Sherr. Ms. Imata began studying with Mr. Sherr who is one of Americas leading portrait artists, as well as with New York-based painter Harvey Dinnerstein and Dan Gheno. In 2004, Ms. Imata won a Merit Scholarship, and in 2006, she was awarded two grants from the Art Students League of New York.
Yuka Imata has been included in numerous selected exhibitions in Boston, New York and overseas in Tokyo, Japan. Recently in 2007 she was not only asked to display but was invited for the first time to curate a show in Kyoto featuring New York artists.
Ms. Imata also offers comissioned portrait(oil painting or pencil drawing). Prices are varies depend on the size of an artwork. If you would like to know the fee and more information, please send a message.
Exhibitions
05/07/2009
New York, NY
Affordable Art Fair 2009
Gallery Representation
Reviews and Press
04/01/2009
American Artist Magazine
Copying Velazquez at the Prado