Yuko Shimazu Yuko Shimazu Yuko Shimizu

Award winning Japanese illustrator based in New York City and instructor at School of Visual Arts.

Thank You Amarillo, Thank You Mexico!

Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 1
5 hour flight to Mexico City, 5 hour wait, 1 more hour of flight, then 2 more hours of drive on the highway. Xalapawas far. Really far. With flight delays and all that,  it was just about 16 hours door to door.On top of that, every time I land in Mexico City I get severe migraine and nausea. It is probably due to the high altitude and pollution. This time was no exception. During the transit, stupid Yuko decided to take a taxi to meet up with a friend, got stuck in traffic, became severely ill upon arrival, went straight to her bathroom, and stuck there for a while, then make a u-turn right back to the airport again.

So, when I arrived to the final airport, and was told there will be two more hours of drive, I seriously thought I was going to die.

Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 2
Like Diego Rivera’s paintings, these flowers are everywhere!Despite all that, this was one of the best trips I had ever taken. Xalapa is the capital of Veracruz. It is a big city with small town feel. An town filled with beautiful architectures and good old Mexican tradition and culture. Also it is a college town filled with young energy. People are ridiculously nice, food is amazing (never going back to those American-Mexican again!), and vibe is just fantastic.

Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 3
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 4
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 5
Xalapa is always covered in fog. Very moody at night…
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 6
Lecture was held at Agora, a new and large conference hall. Thank you for the full house audience!I was invited by Amarillo Centro de Diseño, a rather small but respected design organization run by three cool designers (and some interns) to have a lecture and a show.  The best way to describe their space is: it is like Giant Robot of Mexico. They have gallery space, as well as store that sells Hecho-en-Mexico designer books and toys.

I like traveling and I enjoy doing lectures, but this was so different. I had never been so welcomed. A lot of the audience came from all over Mexico, including a group of students and a professor who took 9 hour bus ride all the way from Oaxaca!

Thank you Amarillo, thank you Mexico, for a wonderful memories. I hope to come back again (despite of 16 hours, oh yeah!).

Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 7
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 8
Owner of Amarillo, Aida and I cutting the ribbon for the opening of the show.
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 9
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 10
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 11
It doesn’t happen in the US or Europe, but it seems like a norm in Mexico that you autograph for everyone.
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 12
Being interviewed on camera….
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 13
Amarillo’s store. they have some amazing hecho-en-Mexico toys and design products.
Amarillo, Mexico, (March 2009): Diario Xalapa
When do I get to be on the front page of a newspaper??? NEVER!
Amarillo, Mexico (March 2009): Pic 14
Everybody at Amarillo. Thank you for a wonderful time!!!