Janice Nakashima

Each piece of art is in a sense a small world that is created. The structure and materials speak in a language that make sense in this invented space. I make work that naturally comes from my thoughts and feelings about the world we live in and also the world that lives within. My paintings often use references from nature sometimes obvious, other times just inferred. For example, in the series, “Fire” I use materials like ash and map pieces in the painting. In the series, “OPUS” I refer to musical structures and what music may evoke to influence the structure and colors of the paintings. Janice Nakashima has been a studio artist in Northern California where she was born and has lived most of her life. As a third generation Japanese American, Asian influences can be found, subtly and more consciously at times. A major focus of content is her responses to nature that is internalized and then externalized. In addition, some of her work comes from a response to what is going on in the community—homelessness, war, refugee crisis, and, other concerns in society. After briefly teaching and getting an MFA at Claremont Graduate University in 1980, she has worked as a studio artist in Sacramento. Her work can be found in numerous art in public places and private collections.

Artist

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Janice Nakashima

Sacramento, California, USA

• Website ↗
• Instagram @janice.nakashima
• nakashima.studio ↗

About

Janice Nakashima has been a studio artist in Northern California where she was born and has lived most of her life. As a third generation Japanese American, Asian influences can be found, subtly and more consciously at times. A major focus of content is her responses to nature that is internalized and then externalized. In addition, some of her work comes from a response to what is going on in the community—homelessness, war, refugee crisis, and, other concerns in society. After briefly teaching and getting an MFA at Claremont Graduate University in 1980, she has worked as a studio artist in Sacramento. Her work can be found in numerous art in public places and private collections.

Artist statement

Each piece of art is in a sense a small world that is created. The structure and materials speak in a language that make sense in this invented space. I make work that naturally comes from my thoughts and feelings about the world we live in and also the world that lives within. My paintings often use references from nature sometimes obvious, other times just inferred. For example, in the series, “Fire” I use materials like ash and map pieces in the painting. In the series, “OPUS” I refer to musical structures and what music may evoke to influence the structure and colors of the paintings.