Fire Escape: Steps into the light

Fire Escape series is one of the earlier themes I began on. It was developed through the reflection on my sense of beauty originating from Japanese esthetic roots such as clean and sharp, which can be complicated but practical.

Artist Statement

Originally trained as a photographer in Japan, I developed a sensitivity to composition, light, and the expressive power of shadow. After moving to New York, I encountered watercolor almost by chance at the National Academy School of Fine Arts. I knew little about the medium and had thought of it mainly as a childhood art material. Its transparency and luminosity immediately captivated me.At first, water resisted every instinct I had toward control. Gradually, I learned that it has a nature of its own. It cannot simply be manipulated. The artist must understand its behavior, then create the conditions and timing that allow intention and natural forces to work together. That relationship between discipline and surrender became the foundation of my practice.The same relationship appears throughout my choice of subjects. I have always been drawn to complementary elements: light and shadow, positive and negative, masculine and feminine, physical and spiritual. In Eastern thought, these qualities are not separate or in conflict. Like yin and yang, each contains and gives meaning to the other.My Fire Escape paintings expressed one side of this balance through structure, precision, and a more masculine energy. The series became the subject of my first solo exhibition in New York at Fischbach Gallery. As I evolved, I felt the need to explore its counterbalance. This led to the quieter, softer, and more feminine presence of the Effigy paintings. One of these works, 927 Fifth Avenue, later entered the collection of the New-York Historical Society.My themes continue to change as I change. Each begins with something I encounter in the visible world, but ultimately reflects an inner state and a particular moment in my life. Through watercolor, I seek the point where opposing forces meet and become whole.

Bio

Michiyo Fukushima is a Japanese watercolor artist based in New York City.Fukushima's artistic path began in Japan under the guidance of a high school art teacher who recognized her ability and helped her develop a strong foundation in drawing. She later trained and worked as a professional photographer, including editorial assignments for magazines.After relocating to the United States, Fukushima studied at the National Academy School of Fine Arts in New York for seven years. At her final exhibition, nine of the eleven paintings she presented were acquired. She subsequently received recognition through juried exhibitions and awards, followed by her first New York solo exhibition at Fischbach Gallery, a respected Manhattan gallery for representational art.Her work has since been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her painting 927 Fifth Avenue is held in the collection of the New-York Historical Society. She has also taught at the New York Academy of Art, The Art Students League of New York, and the New York School of the Arts.
Fukushima continues to live and work in New York City.

Effigy: Guardians and Muses

The effigy series is one of the earlier themes I began. It was developed from reflections on my spiritual journey, which I view as the counterbalance to practicality, embodying a soft, feminine energy.In this series, I depict subject as the guardian spirits and muses that I envision watching over New York City.

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C.V. & Press

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Exhibitions
Fischbach Gallery, New York (solo); Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo and Osaka (solo); New-York Historical Society, NY; Springfield Art Museum, MA; Robert Lange Studios, NCAwards
Rising Star Special Excellence Award, International Watercolor Masters; Anna Hyatt Huntington Bronze Medal in Watercolor, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club; Edward Mooney Traveling Scholarship PrizeCollections
New-York Historical Society; Commerce Bancshares; private collections in the United States and internationallyPublications
American Artist; Fine Art Connoisseur; International Herald Tribune; American Artist Drawing; Pratique des Arts; Splash: Best of Watercolor, volumes 13, 14, and 18

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COLLECTION SPOTLIGHT

927 5th Avenue, 2010, Watercolor and graphite on paperThe painting is part of the permanent collection of the New-York Historical Society. Gift of the artist, 2018.33.

FEATURED PROFILES

American Artist Magazine, March 2009
Capture Your Spirit With Watercolors, a six-page profile by editor-in-chief M. Stephen Doherty, explores the contrasting techniques and personal experiences behind Fukushima’s Fire Escape and Effigy paintings.
They seemed to whisper to me, ‘Don’t worry about anything; we are here to protect you, we are strength and grace. - FukushimaFine Art Connoisseur, March/April 2022
Five to Watch
A profile by Allison Malafronte exploring Fukushima’s path from photographer to watercolor painter, her relationship with the medium, and the story behind 927 5th Avenue entering the New-York Historical Society collection.Read the profile online: Living the Dream

SELECTED PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS

International Herald Tribune, June 2002Coverage of Fukushima’s Tokyo solo exhibition, The City I Love.American Artist Drawing, Spring 2004Drawing as a Foundation for Watercolor Painting, a feature on the role of drawing in Fukushima’s watercolor practice.Splash: The Best of WatercolorSelected for editions 13, 14, and 18, published by North Light Books.Pratique des Arts, France, 2012“Les yeux au ciel, an international feature on Fukushima’s studies of the sky.Artsy, 2019A Beginner’s Guide to Painting with Watercolors, featuring Fukushima as a watercolor painter and instructor at the New York Academy of Art.

ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONSFukushima’s insights on watercolor technique and professional practice have also appeared in The Complete Painter’s Handbook and other American Artist publications.

NY Cityscape

New York City has been my inspiration since I moved here. This series grew from observing its layered character, nature within the city, historic buildings, and the local charm of independent storefronts.
These paintings form a quiet record of New York’s living history, shaped by constant change and the everyday spaces that give the city its enduring soul.

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Selected works with details
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Exclusive Reservation Request

Due to the time-intensive nature of my process and strong demand for newer works, available inventory is often limited.
If you connect with the aesthetic but cannot find an available piece that speaks to you, I invite you to reserve a future painting.

How the Exclusive Reservation Works

1. Curation: I maintain a private archive of original reference studies, personally composed and edited for future works. Based on your preferences, I will share a curated selection for you to review.2. Realization: Once a composition is selected, I will discuss and confirm the ideal scale and palette. I then interpret the image and begin the painting.3. Securing the Work: A 50% deposit confirms your reservation. Please allow a minimum of one month for completion. Progress updates are available upon request.

Urban Fragments: Trace of Memory

Urban Fragments series depicts moments of life in the metropolis. The aging process of the city holds roles that are given. The cityscape becomes a metaphor for the impermanence of existence. Urban fragments invite you to notice the overlooked beauty around us.