Aki Kato
Painting The Lowcountry With Style
Aki Kato, was born in Yokohama, Japan, and found a talent and passion early in life for drawing and painting. Aki studied art in both Japan and the United States, studying both Eastern and Western artwork, earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida. “My style is very realistic, but at the same time can be very whimsical,” explains Aki.
While attending high school in Japan, Aki had watched a movie based on Pat Conroy’s novel, The Water is Wide, that was filmed in the Beaufort area and said he was “mesmerized by the beautiful scenery.” While teaching a furniture painting class, years later, at a local technical college, Pat Conroy’s sister happened to be one of his students. The Conroy family now owns some of his artwork. “Their family has helped me tremendously,” remarks Aki.
“Sometimes I feel that things happen for a reason,” Aki explains as he reflects on the serendipity of it all from falling in love with the scenery in that movie years ago, to now knowing Pat Conroy’s family and living in Beaufort County.
Some of Aki’s breath-taking creations around Beaufort County include the South Carolina State Seal exhibited in the Beaufort County Court House and the Lowcountry marsh mural for Tidal Wave Auto Spa on Lady’s Island. He is currently working on a second mural for Tidal Wave, as well as a project for Port Royal Veterinary Hospital. They will be opening later this year where and he is painting six doors for their examination rooms.
Aki hinted that there may be an exciting announcement about a new commissioned project in the near future, but we will have to wait to hear more soon!
Be sure to check out more of Aki’s beautiful creations at www.AkiKato.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AkiKatoStudio
While attending high school in Japan, Aki had watched a movie based on Pat Conroy’s novel, The Water is Wide, that was filmed in the Beaufort area and said he was “mesmerized by the beautiful scenery.” While teaching a furniture painting class, years later, at a local technical college, Pat Conroy’s sister happened to be one of his students. The Conroy family now owns some of his artwork. “Their family has helped me tremendously,” remarks Aki.
“Sometimes I feel that things happen for a reason,” Aki explains as he reflects on the serendipity of it all from falling in love with the scenery in that movie years ago, to now knowing Pat Conroy’s family and living in Beaufort County.
Some of Aki’s breath-taking creations around Beaufort County include the South Carolina State Seal exhibited in the Beaufort County Court House and the Lowcountry marsh mural for Tidal Wave Auto Spa on Lady’s Island. He is currently working on a second mural for Tidal Wave, as well as a project for Port Royal Veterinary Hospital. They will be opening later this year where and he is painting six doors for their examination rooms.
Aki hinted that there may be an exciting announcement about a new commissioned project in the near future, but we will have to wait to hear more soon!
Be sure to check out more of Aki’s beautiful creations at www.AkiKato.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AkiKatoStudio
