Meet Hiroko Yoshimoto | Teacher-Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hiroko Yoshimoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hiroko, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I always wanted to paint as an artist. But to pursue a painting career was not my option as I had to earn my living. I majored graphic design at UCLA and after receiving MA degree in Art, I got a design job at a Los Angeles advertising agency. Quite soon, however, I realized my personality was not suited as a commercial sales agent. With a Master’s degree, I looked for and attained a teaching job at a So. Cal. community college. I discovered I loved teaching. I taught for 35 years very happily until my retirement as a full-time professor. It was a fitting career for me. Also, all that time I painted. The balancing between the full time teaching career and painting was difficult. I married late and I decided I would not have a child so to maintain my painting career. My husband also did not wish to have more children than the three he already had. I painted during the weekends and semester breaks. After 10 years of marriage, we divorced. After that, what I sacrificed were a family life, pleasure traveling, as well as much of recreational time and socializing. As I look back I do not regret about my decisions. I adjusted myself to my dual careers. I was able to produce artworks although to concentrate on a lengthy series from year to year did not happen until after my retirement when I had consistent blocks of time. During teaching, my serious art-making was done mostly during summer breaks. I am satisfied by my teaching career as I am favorably received by my students. I am also satisfied as a painter. I am producing more work than ever even though I just entered my 8th decade of my life. My belief of success as an artist is longevity– I am able to paint what I want until I am satisfied, and as long as I am able.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been an art teacher at a So.Cal community college for 35 years. At the same time, as a contemporary fine art painter, I have been showing in many galleries and museums locally or elsewhere. As a professor, I taught studio art courses such as life drawing, life painting, acrylic painting, mixed media painting, drawing, design, color theory, and watercolor painting. As a painter, I mostly painted abstract images. I love to study and experiment various mediums and methods which resulted in many different serial works. As my teaching income freed me from the necessity to paint for income, I could experiment various contents and themes which may not be popular or “salable.” One such example executed in 1980’s was the site specific painting installation as a one work that consisted of 54 paintings titled “Four Seasons.” I designed it for the Osaka Contemporary Art Center gallery. It dealt with feminist theme. Much later, I became interested in environmental issues, especially those expressed by Edward O. Wilson on the theme of saving and sustaining biodiversity of life. My biodiversity series numbering more than 140 canvases offer infinite variety of abstracted images which trigger imaginations that grow in the viewers’ mind. I am excited to see the reactions in them. Through their experiences by viewing my work, I want their awareness raised about the importance of the diversity of life on Earth, but also for them to know the importance of the fresh, child-like imaginations to carry them to uncommon places. I would also like the viewers to know that in their 60’s and 70’s, even in their 80’s if they are healthy, they can be creative and be free to express their thoughts and imaginations. That, in my case, is about the JOY OF LIFE.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Ventura, California. San Buena Ventura, the formal name of Ventura is sandwiched between hills and ocean and bordered by two rivers. First, I will take the visitors to the Ventura Botanical Garden hiking pass above the classic styled City Hall. From this hill top surrounded by hundreds of varieties of native plants, one can see the entire city from west to east. The downtown San Buena Ventura has dozens of good eateries, breweries, and interesting shops along Main Street. Toward the end of Main Street, one can visit the Mission San Buena Ventura, one of the 21 missions built by Father Serra. Then walk one block to the Museum of Ventura County where one will find art exhibitions and historical installations. The promenade along the ocean is one of the most popular walking passes. Most always one can enjoy seeing the surfers and colorful wind-surfers and at a certain time of a day, a pod of dolphins. Eleven miles into the hillside, one will come to an enchanted town of Ojai famous for 80-plus artists studio tours, orange orchards, Ojai Tennis Tournaments and Ojai Music Festival. Several miles to south-east of Ventura beyond thousands of acres of strawberry fields will find a robust town of Oxnard. At the center plaza, one can enjoy delicious enchiladas and tacos from food trucks and freshest produce from the farmers market on Thursdays. Due west 20 minutes by freeway will find an old town of Santa Paula. Many period movies were filmed here. All in all, Ventura area can offer relaxed, friendly and charming atmosphere to any visitor. I feel blessed to live here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father, Akira Yoshimoto, who taught me, from age 4, Japanese calligraphy and the use of brush.

My mother, Teiko Yoshimoto, who taught me the value of nature and humanity to be with nature. She was a Haiku poet.

My sister, Shoko Miura, PhD in literature, who encouraged me to go into teaching and the importance of literature.

My students who validated my work as a good teacher.

My friends in all different areas of interests — literature, music, mathematics, and many artists, Betty Ann Brown, Chiyomi Longo

My teachers–Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas (8th & 9th grades), Samuel Amato and Nathan Olivera of UCLA.

Website: www.hirokoyoshimoto.com

Youtube: Hiroko Yoshimoto

Image Credits
My portrait with paintings in the background–photo by Gary Faye. Photo of my paintings by Hiroko Yoshimoto