VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Jung Center of Houston presents the  exhibition Keiko Yasuoka and Duncan Simmons: 2 Collaborating Artists, classic light filled landscapes, seascapes and still lifes. On View January 5th through 29th.

A native of Japan, Keiko Yasuoka was raised in the rural farming community of Anaka about 200 miles from its capital city, Tokyo. Keiko first began her work with brushes at the age of six while studying calligraphy under the tutelage of Master Okonogi. Japanese calligraphy is an ancient form of communication where the simple flick of a brush stroke will completely change the meaning of a character. It requires strict discipline to master this art form, using brush strokes to translate characters into a communicable language. Keiko rose to the level of 6th Dan, a distinguished accomplishment in this art form.

Keiko began teaching calligraphy privately at age 20, and continued until she was married. In 1991, Keiko and her husband moved to the United States where she began studying 3D. She continued with 3D in enameling for five years, becoming accomplished with color.

She started her formal training in watercolor at the Houston Museum of Fine Art Glassell School of Art in 2002. She has been accepted and won awards in numerous juried national and international exhibitions. These include the American Watercolor Society’s 2009 William Gorman Memorial Award, American Watercolor Society’s 2008 Elsie and David Wu Ject-Key Award and traveling show, American Watercolor Society’s 2007 Nell Storer Memorial Award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2005 Watercolor West Award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2006 Guerilla Painter award and traveling show, National Watercolor Society’s 2004 traveling show, Arts for the Parks’ top 100 paintings for 2005 and 2006, Paint for the Park’s top 100 paintings for 2007, Wyoming Watercolor Society’s 2005 Best of Show, 2008 Watercolor Art Society of Houston’s 2nd place, Transparent Watercolor Society of America special merit award 2008, 2006 Watercolor Magic Magazine’s 4th place award, 2006 and 2009 Artist Magazine finalist and 2005 Rocky Mountain Swede Johnson Memorial award and 2009 Quaintance Family Award, . Two articles regarding her art work were published in the August 2006 issue of Watercolor Magic.

Keiko is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Texas Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Watercolor Art Society-Houston, Georgia Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia and Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She is also accomplished in the medium of acrylic, frequently painting large canvases. She shares her experience with other artists by teaching, giving workshops and conducting critiques.

Her artwork is presently in several private and corporate collections, including PanaPina Inc., Rowan Drilling Corp., Chevron Oil Co., Petris Corp., and Abercrombie Simmons and Gillette Inc. It is being shown in many museums and galleries across the country. Her work is represented by Harris Gallery in Houston, Texas, National Art Services Company Inc. in Houston, Texas and Ambleside Gallery in Greensboro, NC.

Duncan Simmons was educated at Sam Houston State University, the Art League of Houston and The Houston Museum of Fine Art Glassell School of Art. He also took private lessons from professional artists.

He has been painting in oils and acrylics for the past forty three years and started painting in watercolor in 1996. Duncan is presently represented by the Harris Gallery in Houston, Texas, the National Art Services Co. Inc. in Houston, Texas, and the Ambleside Gallery in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Duncan has been accepted and won awards in numerous national and international exhibitions. These include first place in the Watercolor Art Society of Houston’s 27th Annual International Juried Exhibition 2004, Watercolor Society of Alabama 66th Annual National Exhibition 2007, and 10th Annual National All Media Rio Brazos Art Exhibition 2007. Two of his paintings were selected for the top 100 in the 2006 Arts for the Parks competition. He also had a painting selected for the top 100 in the 2007 Paint America competition. Some of his other awards were, the Winslow Homer Award in the 31st Annual Juried Exhibition of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, the Virginia & Fritz Weigand Award for Realism in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia 2008 Exhibition, the Hardie Gramatky Award and Traveling Show in the American Watercolor Society 142nd International Exhibition and the Merwin Altfeld Memorial Award in the 89th Annual National Watercolor Society Exhibition.

He has painted commissions for many hospitals, banks, individuals and corporations including the Memorial Hermann Hospital System, Citizens State Bank of Somerville, Texas, the University of Texas, Rowan Companies, Petris Technology, Pana Pena Inc., Abercrombie/Simmons & Gillette and Chevron Oil Corp.

He was featured as one of the twenty-six masters in the Watercolor Magic magazine’s February 2005 issue and he and his painting partner, Keiko Yasuoka, were featured in a five page article in the August 2006 issue. They were also featured in the same August issue for being awarded third and fourth in the Still Life & floral Category. The August 2007 issue named him as one of the recognized watercolorists featured in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s 31st annual exhibition. He was a Finalist Winner in the Artist’s magazine’s 20th and 26th annual art competition. His work is being shown in many museums and galleries across the country.

Duncan shares his years of experience with other artists by teaching, giving workshops and conducting critiques. He is a member of many artist societies and is a long standing member of the Art League of Houston. Duncan has been awarded signature membership in the National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Texas Watercolor Society, Watercolor Art Society of Houston, Philadelphia Water Color Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama and Wyoming Watercolor Society.

Pictured above:  detail of a work by Keiko Yasuoka.  (full image, below).