Takeshi Nakayoshi

Osaka-born artist TAKESHI NAKAYOSHI studied painting, printmaking and filmmaking at the University of Oregon and the San Francisco Art Institute where he obtained his BFA and MFA degrees. He has lived primarily in San Francisco since 1974 where he continues to work full time as an artist, concentrating exclusively on painting.

In his work and life, Takeshi is continuously influenced by the works of other highly creative individuals, recently including the writer Tennessee Williams, filmmakers Satajit Ray and Antonioni, and the jazz musician Dave Brubeck . Throughout his career Takeshi has been particularly inspired by the work of Matisse. He strives to create a balance of color, line and form...a kind of harmonious poetry in paint.  

In Takeshi’s own words - “I strive for a balance based on intuitive improvisation within a context of rational formation; between randomness and order, emotion and rationality, judgment and letting go.....I immerse myself in the interaction of paint and other fluids, the texture, pigmentation and finish......The fundamental elements in my paintings are color, line, form, texture, and light. They are the protagonists in my theater, indispensable for my poetry.  I strive to orchestrate these elements to dance on the canvas in a captivating and harmonious evanescence.”