Born and raised in Japan, Tomoko’s artistic journey began when she discovered her love for the circus arts.  She trained at Circomedia, a circus school in England, and became an aerial artist, performing alongside her husband on numerous stages around the world.  As self-employed circus artists, they embarked on a memorable new adventure with Cavalia's Odysseo, a grand touring show that took them across North America over a period of 5 years.  It was during this time that Tomoko’s affinity for sewing led her to work in the costume department, where she honed her skills before returning to the stage as an aerial artist until her eventual retirement in 2016.

 

Her time on tour with Odysseo marked a pivotal moment in Tomoko’s artistic evolution.  As a part of one of the world’s largest touring shows, she had the opportunity to interact with horses.  Touching them, running with them and braiding their manes everyday made Tomoko want to paint them with thread. It seemed like the perfect pigment to capture their shiny coats.  These delicate threads became her paintbrush, allowing her to bring these magnificent creatures to life in her art.  This was her entrance to the world of embroidery, and Tomoko sold her first piece of 2D embroidery at Cavalia’s concessions.  

 

Tomoko and her husband chose to follow the tour with their 4WD truck so they could cross North America and visit as many national parks as possible.  Camping, hiking and off-roading in nature inspired her to do more embroidery, and her focus shifted from horses to untamed nature.  

 

Following their retirement from the circus, Tomoko and her husband fulfilled their dream of settling in an environment reminiscent of the national parks they had explored.  They now reside in New Brunswick, Canada, where their daily lives continue to provide abundant inspiration for her art.  From the lichens and moss clinging to the wood they gather to heat their home, to the intricate patterns of ice and snow crystals they encounter during the cold Canadian winters, Tomoko’s work is a reflection of her intimate connection with nature.  She is elated to share her art pieces which blend her life experiences with the beauty of the world around her.