In the Studio with Mixed Media Artist Yoko Izu

INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY is proud to present the next chapter in our artist spotlight series, “In the Studio With…”—a celebration of the visionaries shaping the vibrant arts landscape of the Hudson Valley. In this series, we open the doors to the workspaces, lives, and inner worlds of the region’s most compelling creatives.

Today, we step inside the studio of Yoko Izu, a mixed media artist whose abstract work radiates with personal history, cultural nuance, and emotional depth. A second-generation Japanese American born in Woodstock, NY, Yoko’s journey has taken her across the globe—from the bustling streets of NYC to the expansive beauty of South Africa—before bringing her back to Upstate New York in 2021.

In our intimate conversation, Yoko shares the heart of her creative process, revealing how her art becomes a language for exploring identity, memory, and belonging. Through layers of texture and color, she weaves together the threads of her American upbringing and Japanese heritage, forming a bridge between continents, cultures, and time.

The series, and this episode of “In the Studio With…” was produced in collaboration with Richard Hall and Mimi Young, founders of littlebitcreates. We invite you to journey with us into the fascinating world of Yoko Izu—an artist whose work reminds us that the search for home can be both a creative act and a deeply human one.

Let’s get to know, Hudson Valley artist, Yoko Izu.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Yoko Izu: It’s a fairly familiar story. I grew up in Woodstock and couldn’t get out of this small town fast enough. So off I went to Boston for college, followed by a teaching stint in Japan, before plonking down in NYC for some years. Life then unexpectedly took me to Johannesburg, South Africa, for about 6 or 7 years. A few twists and turns later, it felt like the right time to return to the Hudson Valley to be closer to my parents for a little while. What was meant to only be for a year or two has quietly stretched into something a bit longer.

What inspired you to become an artist, and what was your journey?

Yoko Izu: Creativity was always encouraged growing up, and I was never without the supplies to draw, paint, cut, and glue. I even minored in Visual Arts, but then a dry spell descended during my 20s and 30s, when it felt like my inspiration had been tapped dry.

The need to create resurfaced during my first winter back in Woodstock, when I felt particularly lonely and disconnected. Around the world, we were all experiencing some form of growing turmoil and animosity, and I began questioning where I belonged and what “home” really meant. Painting became a private refuge, a way to process the flood of complicated, conflicting emotions.

It took a while to join a class at the Woodstock School of Art because in my mind, that was for “real” artists. When I finally decided to face my insecurities and sign up for Melanie Delgado’s abstract painting class, it completely shifted my perspective. Not only did I find a community full of warmth and encouragement, but it also helped me learn that with vulnerability comes growth. Sharing my artistic process, getting feedback on works in progress, dealing with paintings that overstay their ugly phase, trying to pursue all of this while working full-time – it’s all part of the journey.

Describe your mixed-media work.  What led you to this creative practice?

Yoko Izu: Growing up, one of the things I loved to do was play with paper and make cards for every occasion. When I picked up painting again, I was working with what I already had, which were old art supplies that had been tucked away in a closet for nearly 20 years, including washi (Japanese paper). That led to what I do now—a marriage of abstraction and collage. More recently, I’ve started incorporating stitch work into my paintings. There’s no step-by-step process that I follow. It’s all fairly intuitive and mood-based, and an experiment in translating my concepts into tangible outputs.

How have your travels, specifically living in Japan and South Africa, inspired your creativity and aesthetic?

Yoko Izu: I think there’s inspiration to be found any time you leave your comfort zone. It’s just a matter of when it finally hits. It’s not always immediate or obvious. While Japanese aesthetics have been present in my life since childhood, I’ve come to appreciate them more through slow, subtle discovery.

Then there’s the difference in the length of time spent in any given place. Visiting Laos for a few days was distinct from living in Thailand for 3 months or living in South Africa for years. The longer you’re in a place, the more deeply you absorb the environment. You fall into the rhythm of daily life and gradually unearth the layers of culture, people, language, food, and community.

My time in Johannesburg certainly re-ignited some of my passion for the arts. From graffiti tours to art fairs, there was such artistry, depth, and diversity; what a privilege to experience that and have it shape my thinking and perception. It was also in South Africa when I started paying closer attention to textiles and appreciating the colors and stories woven within them. I mention this because my latest creative exploration is stepping outside the boundaries of paper and canvas.

What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of being an artist?

Yoko Izu: Most of the challenges are internal: questioning what I’m doing and why, whether it’s enough, and figuring out how to talk about my art when painting is how I express myself and articulate what I can’t put into words. And of course, there is the never-ending struggle of finding and making the time to be inspired and create.

What makes up for those challenges are the unexpected affirmations and generous support, especially from fellow artists. I’m also revitalized by the occasional realization that maybe, just maybe, I’ve created something that’s made it from a fuzzy idea in the back of my brain to a finished, coherent piece.

What local artists inspire you, and which galleries do you love to visit?

Yoko Izu: Is it too wishy-washy to say every artist inspires me? Because we’re lucky to live in an area brimming with creativity and individuality. I walk away from every interaction, whether with the artist or their art, inspired by something. It could be their point of view, their unique expression, or the emotion evoked. Lately, I’ve been especially moved by those who use their platforms to speak out and inspire others to rise, and those who tap into their communities to raise support and awareness for causes great and small.

Some favorite galleries include the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) and the Woodstock School of Art; Carrie Haddad Gallery, Pamela Salisbury Gallery (though sadly, they are closing on July 20), and Susan Eley Gallery in Hudson. I’m also excited to see more from the newly opened 68 Prince Street Gallery in Kingston.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

Yoko Izu: Being back here isn’t without mixed emotions, but there’s something about having the opportunity to return and view it through the adult lens. I now understand and appreciate what my parents must have sensed when they decided to move here from the city. There’s a quiet energy here that inspires. The soft curves of the mountains and thick trees, the spring air tinged with the sweet scent of new growth, that magical Hudson Valley light that has enamored so many.

What do you think of the art culture and community in the Hudson Valley?

Yoko Izu: It’s dynamic and diverse, and I hope we can continue to nurture the community in ways that allow artists from all walks of life to feel supported, represented, and seen.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

Yoko Izu: An Ethiopian restaurant. Nothing fancy. I just want a tray brimming with big dollops of misir wat and gomen wat and all the other lovely, flavorful dishes, accompanied by a pile of injera. And affordable real estate.

Local Love: What local business should we know about?

Yoko Izu: In my Catskill neighborhood, I’m partial to Kaaterskill Market and Toko Provisions. Katie, the owner of Kaaterskill, curates her shop with items that make me want to live a slower, more intentional life. And Toko has the sweetest little store where she makes delicious sandwiches and baked goods and carries a small but thoughtfully chosen selection of pantry goods.

Who or what inspires you personally?

Yoko Izu: My inner circle of artist friends. They’ve faced more than their fair share of challenges, but continue to lead with generosity and compassion. Their endless curiosity and commitment to creative growth are inspiring, and I am beyond grateful for their friendship.

I also have to include my father, a fine art photographer who founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, high-quality medical care to children in areas of dire need in Southeast Asia.

Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to know.

Yoko Izu: The “I Love My 90’s Hip-Hop” playlist on Spotify is on frequent rotation, especially when I’m painting or driving. Shoop, baby.

What do you do for fun? What are some of your favorite ways to unwind and unplug when you are not making art or writing?

Yoko Izu: My partner and I enjoy walking around Olana, which is just across the river from us and has gorgeous views of the Hudson River. We also like to get down to the city whenever we can to catch a show, gallery hop, and eat some of the foods we have trouble finding up here, like Ethiopian food. I also find the precision and process of baking very meditative, though I don’t do it as often these days. Mostly because I lack willpower and those cakes and cookies disappear a bit too quickly for my own good!

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Yoko Izu: Selfishly? Teleportation. How wonderful it would be to drop into another place almost instantaneously.

What is your current state of mind?

Yoko Izu: Fired up and inspired. Concerned and protective. Still grateful.

Photos courtesy of Yoko Izu

Follow/Connect with Yoko Izu via Website  | Instagram

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See more of our IN THE STUDIO WITH… Artist Series:

In the Studio with Contemporary Artist Andrew Lyght

In the Studio with Multimedia Artist David McIntyre

In the Studio with Experiential Artist Amanda Russo Rubman

In the Studio with Bespoke Ceramicist R.A. Pesce

In the Studio with Artist Elizabeth Keithline

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About littlebitcreates

Richard Hall and Mimi Young are the creative forces behind littlebitcreates. They produce a variety of projects, including in-depth artist profiles, event-specific promotional videos, and music videos. Their approach is exciting, innovative, and contemporary. In addition to their client work, Hall and Young collaborate with other creatives to create multidimensional, neo-surreal videos as part of a noncommercial venture. Littlebitcreates emerged from the extensive knowledge Hall and Young gained over 30 years of experience in photo shoots and multimedia art. They exclusively shoot all of their videos on iPhones, appreciating the distinctive aesthetic it produces and the comfort it offers their subjects in front of the camera.

Follow + Connect with littlebitcreates via Website | Vimeo | @littlebitcreates