Upon seeing one of Keiichi Nishimura’s mixed media paintings on silk, a sense of serenity arises from his dynamic compositions.

Known for his unique approach to wave imagery and his use of metal leaf, Nishimura creates his paintings with water-based pigment derived from suihigofun (a mineral), which the artist grinds to a finer consistency and then mixes with a delicate balance of nikawa (melted pine sap).  The nikawa is what gives the pigment its deep rich color and also enables it to adhere to the silk.

Variances in color and tone are created by hand with wide brushes.  At a glance, Nishimura’s work may give the effect of collage because of the several different and often textural effects he achieves by using a variety of techniques.  He may, for example, incorporate a color resistant technique using flour or sand, sumi (charcoal), gold leafing, ink and other techniques in a single work.

A Whidbey Island resident for the past eight years, Keiichi was born in Kyoto, Japan where he began his training as an artist in 1976 under the apprenticeship of his father, Jintaro Nishimura, a master artist for more than half a century. He spent seven years learning painting techniques, including studying sumi-e (charcoal ink painting).  "Working with my father gave me the basic skills that are fundamentals to painting," says Nishimura.

Nishimura’s work is a modern interpretation of traditional images and techniques. He understands deeply both the discipline of his Eastern culture and the freedom of Western expression.  In his work, Nishimura strives to achieve integration of the two cultures.