Yuko Shimazu Yuko Shimazu Yuko Shimizu

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

free online lecture for Bienal de Ilustración

Free online lecture this Saturday for Bienal de Ilustración,  Saturday, November 14, 4:00PM Mexico City time.
Conferencia gratuita para Bienal de Ilustración Esta Sábado, 14 de Noviembre, 16:00h, horario de CDMX
The online lecture series of different illustrators from around the world is a part of their Biannual Illustration Competition to celebrate Latin American artists. I’ll be speaking in English, but I believe there will be Spanish/Portuguese translations? Please register here, space is limited.

Thank you, ARTECHOUSE Hanami exhibit has officially closed

Thank you SO much to everyone who has visited Artechouse Washington DC’s HANAMI: Beyond the Blooms exhibit I collaborated with them.
Its initial exhibit schedule was from mid-March to April. But they had to shut down the venue after the opening weekend.
They were able to open on July 9th, with the original schedule of closing in early September. By popular demand, it was extended till October 4.
Thank you so much again.
see more photos of HANAMI here.

Drawing auction for a good cause

UPDATE: The original was sold to Keith Becker for $2,000. Keith donated to The Doe Fund right away. Thank you so much for your support. 
✊✊ buy this drawing for a good cause ✊”Take Down the Proud Kings of the Past”✊✊ India ink on watercolor paper 13” x 14.25”
✊
I’m auctioning off this drawing. Highest bidder donates the money to The Doe Fund, a NY based non-profit. You basically get a free drawing in exchange for a tax write-off. So, please bid generously. Do good, feel good✊
Bidding starts at $150 USD. Bid on this Instagram feed comment section. (If you are seeing this on another platform, please head over to my IG @yukoart to bid). US shipping address only. Bidding ends tomorrow,  Monday, June 15, 6:00 PM EST
Thank you 🙏 ✊
The Doe Fund helps break the devastating cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism.
I’ve been donating to them for a long time because I always see men from their Ready Willing and Able job training program keep my office neighborhood clean.
Since 1990, they have helped more than 23,000 homeless and formerly incarcerated men rebuilt their lives.

Sailor Moon Redraw Challenge for a good cause

UPDATE: The drawing was sold to Bo Bradshow for $800. Thank you for your generosity. 
I also took a part in this suddenly popular Sailor Moon Redraw Challenge #sailormoonredraw. You can read why I made her into a visibly Asian schoolgirl on my original post on Instagram. What is more important here is that I am auctioning off this drawing to help fund Welcome to Chinatown initiative. The highest bidder donates the bidding amount to the cause, and I will send you the drawing.
(Due to the COVID-19 complications, shipping to US address only.)

If you are interested in participating, please head over to my Instagram post. Bidding ends in 24 hours, on May 20 (Wednesday) 4:30 PM EST. Thank you for your interest.

Workshop in Seville, Spain in May, just announced.

UPDATES: The workshop will be postponed due to COVID-19. We will rework on the schedule once we are out of the woods. Thank you for undrestanding. Those who reserved your slots should have the first priority to book future workshop schedules.
I will be coming back to teach at La Galeria Roja in Seville, south of Spain in late May. (3rd time, because, by now we are friends !)
They have just announced it, and not taking applicants.
Max of about 18 participants, all levels, 4 day long weekend. I will give you lots of different projects to develop your illustration thinking.
I never teach how I do what I do at workshops, or any other teaching occasions. I am an experienced illustration instructor in college and masters level. What I teach is how to help you become a better version of yourself as an artist. Though there will be lots of group crits, but at the end of the day, it is all about each and individual YOU.
Those who are interested in learning more, please e-mail [email protected] either in Spanish or English to get more info. (no need to commit.)  Hope to see you there!

Thank you for the medal nomination: Spectrum Fantastic Art Award

Thank you so much! The Wind Up Bird Chronicle (by Haruki Murakami) book jacket illustration for Vintage (UK)’s Japanese Classics series is a medal contender for this year’s Spectrum Fantastic Art Award.
This is one of my favorite books of all time, and it was a huge honor just to be able to illustrate it. It is an icing on the cake.
Congratulations to all the nominees and those who’s works got accepted into this year’s annual.
The winners will be announced at the gala, which will be held on March 20. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend. But hope everyone will have a fun and exciting evening.

Emergency! Cat Man of Aleppo needs your help!

EMERGENCY: The Cat Man of Aleppo, Alaa Aljaleel and his sanctuary + orphanage is in danger!

According to the Twitter post from earlier today, bombing in his area got so severe, they had to abandon the current sanctuary and flee. They are currently scrambling to transfer some 120 cats to a safe location in near by city of Idlib. Also trying to move the monkeys across the border to safety. 

If anyone is willing to help out, even a small amount, your kind donations are accepted and appreciated at: myevent.com/alaaandkids If you can’t financially help, which is OK, please spread the words, repost, so someone you know may be able to pitch in. 

I have finished illustrating Alaa’s story in the upcoming picture book The Cat Man of Aleppo. I have never met or directly spoken to Alaa (author Karim has been in contact, as recently as a couple of hours ago), but he, his team and all the animals are a part of ‘family’ now. 

News media  don’t talk about war in Syria anymore, because they have moved onto the next big flashy news. But, friends, it is still happening. And just to be aware of it, that you have that knowledge is very important. Thank you.

new journal available at Fully Booked stores in the Philippines

I have list of future dog names. There are many, but on the top of the female names is Laika.

Not the expensive camera (Leika), mind you, but the name of the first dog who was sent up to space and died alone. And not like that film My Life as a Dog I never had a sad childhood but I still often think about this poor pup, and think every rescue girl dog should be named Laika and given the happy  life the famous Laika was never able to have. The name is not used yet because I haven’t adopted a girl dog yet, and so far my rescue pups came with names given by previous owners.

It’s holiday season. There are pups who wants nothing more than furever home. I’m not going to judge you, but #adoptdontshop if you can. And please, pets are for life. Don’t throw them away like unwanted presents. But, if you are looking to adopt this holiday, sad truth, hit the shelters after the holidays when those ‘presents’ sometimes end up there.

With that long preach paragraph, ladies and gentlemen and everybody else in between, here is my new piece: Space Fetch. Yes, that’s what the original Laika looked like. Really cute.

If you are in the Philippines, please go to Fully Booked stores before the end of the year to get your free copy of 2020 journal with this jacket. (Minimum PHP 3,000.000) while supplies lasts.

We are working on releasing this as a tote bag as well. Stay tuned.

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