Keiko Tanabe
Keiko Tanabe, AWS, NWS, SDWS-MA, AIS
KEIKO TANABLE was born in Kyoto, Japan. As a child growing up in an art-loving family, she always enjoyed drawing and painting and won many awards in children’s art contests. However, art was not her chosen field of study later on. She earned a B.A. in intercultural communication (International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan) and an M.A. in international education (UCLA, California). She then worked in international relations positions in a Japanese government trade organization in Tokyo, at a large law firm in San Francisco and at a private consulting firm in San Diego. For decades, she has traveled extensively, mainly in European countries, Asia and North America.
Through all these years, Keiko knew there was in her heart the growing desire to someday become an artist. That, fueled by her love of travel and strong interest in other cultures, eventually found its way out in 2003. After learning basic drawing and watercolor painting skills at a local community school in San Diego, she took on her first project as an artist together with her father, a renowned scholar of French literature in Japan. Through the Azure Sea and Sky of Provence: A Tribute to Her Joie de Vivre (Kosei Publishing, Osaka, Japan) was published in August 2003, authored by her father and illustrated by Keiko. From then on, she intensely taught herself to be fluent in watercolor painting, just as one would do to master a foreign language.
Mostly self-taught, Keiko embarked on a professional art career in 2005 and started exhibiting publicly. Since that year her paintings have been juried into many exhibitions across Americas and in Asia and Europe. Her work has been purchased by private and corporate collectors from all around the world. She also had her paintings published in leading art magazines in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Additionally, her art has been enjoyed by many in nine self-published books as well as on four DVDs that have been produced to date. She’s also a sought-after workshop instructor. Since 2011, she has been invited to and completed successfully hundreds of workshops and numerous live demonstrations around the world. She has served as a juror in a number of art exhibitions including but not limited to major watercolor/watermedia shows around the world such as the National Watercolor Society, the Watercolor USA Honor Society, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, the Watercolor West, Splash 22, the International Watercolour Masters, and many regional or state-wide watercolor societies and art associations such as the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild. In 2015 she was named an official Ambassador for Winsor & Newton. In 2018, she was appointed to the advisory board of the American Watercolor Weekly. In 2018 and 2019, she was invited to be a faculty member for the Plein Air Convention & Expo, the world’s largest plein-air painting event. Since 2021, she has been an Official Savoir-Faire, Sennelier, Cretacolor, Fabriano & Raphael Advocate. In 2022 Keiko was appointed an Escoda International Brand Ambassador. Keiko currently lives in San Diego, California.
Testimonials / Keiko Tanabe
“Awesome experience! Your teaching is clear, fast, and concise, a wonderful trait. You kept us focused, interested, and moved forward. This week provided me with knowledge that could help me reach the next level.” Meredith
“Your workshop was superior. How wonderful to be able to work so fast and furiously yet create beautiful paintings. What an inspiration you were to me. I have come away with some valuable points which, hopefully, will help me in the future. Most of all I enjoyed knowing you and feeling your kind and uplifting spirit.” Tora
“The workshop was absolutely wonderful, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was intense, chock full of very good information, and I learned so much. My interest was to learn about your thought processes as you approach a painting, and your explanations on perspective were just what I needed. I think I will be able to approach subject matter with greater freedom and better knowledge.” Martina
“Keiko has perfected the art of sharing her tremendous knowledge in the workshop setting. Her workshops worldwide – and near her home in San Diego – are legendary and she is now one of the most sought-after artists and teachers in the country.” La Romita
“Your generosity and thoroughness as a teacher has given us a great learning experience. Your patience abounds, as well as your dedication to being a painter. Thank you. Everyday taught us a great deal, and I hope to continue to develop my own vision while learning from your painting processes. I am grateful you agreed to work with us, and I greatly admire you for your commitment to your work. Time for everyone to continue painting and gaining experience.” Jennifer
“The most important gift you give people is one in learning to see beyond what is in front of us. Wow! Thank you.” Cynthia
“I am so amazed at the delicate and intriguing Looseness, soft edges, moody fell of your paintings. I am learning so much but have so much more to learn and practice. Wish I had had you as my teacher when I first started watercolor. Thank you so much for your time and being such a thoughtful instructor.” Roberta
“I think we all learned a lot! I know for me, Keiko helped me be more open to using color in a different way. I think a great teacher is one who doesn’t have you imitate their style, but rather helps you to incorporate what they teach into your own style. Keiko did just that, a gifted teacher for sure!!.” Onnie
“Thank you so much for all the constructive feedback today. I really appreciate your candidness and honesty. As you said, and I’m sure of it, that’s how we will learn best. You have already and are accelerating my learning curve tremendously, for which I’m grateful. You are an incredible blessing on this artistic journey of mine! Once again, thank you for (as my husband would say) the “Wonderfulness of You!” Being willing to share your knowledge and accomplished ways is truly valuable and rare.” Marilyn
Examples of My Work:
