Fumiko Toda’s paintings grow from two origins that rarely meet so clearly in one practice. On one side, a childhood spent in the Japanese countryside, collecting insects, leaves, and stones beside a living pond. On the other, an adult life shaped by New York City, where crowds, speed, and urban distance sharpen the need for intimacy and care. Toda brings these worlds together through mixed media, building luminous layers of acrylic, ink, collage, and print to create images that feel both handmade and cosmic, both playful and precise.
Her process favors discovery over control. Early on, she tried to realize fixed images from her mind. Over time, she learned to trust what happens in the act of making. The result is a surface that records time and attention in overlapping skins of color and texture, where fragments of textile design and drawing settle into rhythms that suggest memory, erosion, and renewal. In Toda’s work, nature is not an escape from the city but a companion to it, a way of seeing that reconnects the human community with the more-than-human world.
INTERVIEW
Artist: Fumiko Toda
You mentioned growing up in the countryside of Japan where as a child you would observe insects and bugs for hours, and you’ve worked a lot with contemplation in your art. Today you live in a big city with very different surroundings and landscapes. How has your creative process changed over the years?
When I started practicing art, I usually had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to express before I started to create. The goal was to create art that replicated the pictures in my mind.
As I’ve gained more life experiences and spent more time creating art, I put more value and trust into the process of making art rather than the initial idea. This forces me to pay attention to the moment and to the process, allowing me to be open to new discoveries and surprises, which I am always looking for in my artwork.
I find this approach more like real life. I used to always try to plan everything and would try to follow and achieve every goal I created. Now I try to focus on and live in the moment. To be more open to LIFE!
How do you see your artistic pathway unfolding in front of you from here?
I have no idea which direction it will take me, but I am always very realistic and optimistic.
What do you believe is the key element in creating a good oil painting?
Below are some of the key elements I believe it takes to create a good painting:
Understanding and respecting the character of the material you are using and knowing your own capabilities.
Being sensitive and self-aware. At the same time, don’t be afraid to be daring.
Enjoy and be excited in the art-making process. Don’t pay attention to outside criticism or opinion.
Which one of your pieces are you most proud of? Why?
All of my pieces are unique. I am proud of all of them. They are like my children. I don’t think proud is the best word to describe the feeling. I am very excited about my most recent work. It’s because the art-making process is still fresh in my memory.
What motivates you?
Genuine love and curiosity for painting and a desire to paint and create.
How did you get the job as a designer for a famous French suitcase brand?
A gallery in Singapore contacted me and told me that a French company saw my works online. The company contacted the gallery and asked if they could commission me to design their limited-edition suitcase.
Can you give some examples of new styles that you’re working on or considering?
I have been working with lots of “cut-outs” in my new works.
How would you classify the style your work?
Mixed media. Working in mixed media allows me to create different layers. I’ve been using acrylic paint, ink drawing, collage and printmaking to overlay on various surfaces. The visual effects resulting from this process suggest the passage of time and recollection of memory.
Tell us about one of your most memorable experiences.
One of my most memorable experiences was leaving Japan, moving to New York City and getting to meet and experience all these wonderful people.
Finally, can you tell us something about your current or upcoming projects?
I just finished sending 11 pieces of art to Hong Kong for an upcoming art fair. This will happen at the end of this month. I will also be working on a new body of work for upcoming shows, including a solo show this September in Chicago.
