Junko Otsuki
Bio
Junko Otsuki was born and raised in Japan and moved to New York in her 20s to study Digital Art. She studied at Parsons School of Design / The New School, where she earned a Master’s degree in Design and Technology. Over the past 20+ years, she has worked as a visual designer and art director in digital media, receiving recognition from organizations such as the New York Art Directors Club and Graphis. She currently lives and works in Bellevue, Washington.
In recent years, Junko has shifted her focus from digital work to more hands-on, traditional practices. She now creates watercolor artworks on paper, embracing the tactile and organic nature of the medium—a process she finds both refreshing and deeply fulfilling. Alongside her personal art practice, she continues to collaborate on a variety of creative projects, including illustrating children’s books.
Artist Statement
In a world increasingly shaped by digital screens, many of us spend our days absorbed in phones, computers, and virtual spaces. Children play online, adults meet through video calls, and since COVID, even simple gestures like handshakes or hugs can feel distant. At the same time, AI is rapidly reshaping creative work, shifting more of our imagination toward machines. In this environment, I sometimes wonder what happens to the warmth, presence, and human connection that give life its meaning.
Although I have a background in Design and Technology and spent nearly two decades working in digital product design, I chose to step away from screens to reconnect with myself and with more tactile ways of creating. Today, I work with traditional tools—pencil, watercolor, paper, and brush—embracing the unpredictable flow of water, pigment, and salt. I paint subjects that genuinely move me, treating the process as a quiet ritual that keeps me grounded.
I find joy in the softness of pencil lines, the natural blending of color, and subtle gestures that suggest air, light, and atmosphere. Through these works, I hope to offer moments of calm, tenderness, and reflection—small emotional pauses that can gently comfort those who encounter them.
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Junko Otsuki
In a world overflowing with digital elements, we constantly immerse ourselves in the screens of mobile devices and laptops.Children play within the realms of online games, while adults communicate through chats and virtual meetings. Post-COVID, many people hesitate to extend a handshake, hug, or kiss in greeting. Where has the warm exchange between people gone? Moreover, recent advancements in AI are transforming even human creativity, with creativity gradually shifting towards reliance on computers. Surrendering to such a world would be akin to losing the meaning of life.
Despite my academic background in Design and Technology and nearly two decades of experience in digital product design, I made a deliberate decision to step away from digital tools to reassess myself. I now create artworks using the most traditional methods – pencil drawing and applying paint to a blank canvas with a brush. Embracing the natural flow created by water and salt, I choose to paint only subjects that resonate with me. This act serves as a ritual to maintain my own sanity. I cherish the soft lines of pencil, the natural blending of colors, and a gentle touch to capture the essence of air. I believe that the works born from this process, along with my intentions, can contribute to soothing the hearts of those who view them.
