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Artist and teacher Henry Fukuhara passed away on
January 31, 2010 at the age of 96. He was one of the living legends of
watercolor and had been honored by Watercolor West and the National
Watercolor Society. He had been the subject of feature articles in all
the major artist magazines and other publications. His paintings have
been seen in many books on watercolor.
Henry Fukuhara was born in
Los Angeles
in 1913. In high school he developed a strong interest in art and
studied briefly at the Otis Art Institute. His work progressed to the
point that at the age of 20 he had an exhibit of his woodblock prints
at the
Los Angeles
County
Art Museum
. But his budding art career was cut short by World War II. In 1942
Henry and his wife
Fuji
and their two small daughters were transported to Manzanar, the
Japanese
American
Detention
Center
located near Lone Pine. Released in 1944, the Fukuhara family was
relocated to
Long Island
,
New York
in 1945. On the East Coast Henry joined his father and brother in
establishing a wholesale floral business. Working in the business and
raising a family that now included another daughter and a son left no
time for serious painting. However, Henry visited the museums and
galleries in
New York City
as often as possible.
In 1972, Henry began painting with Edgar Whitney’s
Saturday Group. Whitney was an inspirational teacher known for his
teaching of the principles of design. Soon Henry had the opportunity
to take workshops with Robert E. Wood, George Post, and Rex Brandt.
However, it was Carl Molno, a teacher of modern art that had the
greatest influence on Fukuhara’s painting. His innovative teaching
caused Henry to go beyond just reporting and to develop a unique
personal viewpoint. His work matured quickly and awards and gallery
representation soon followed. In 1981 he conducted his first workshop
in
New York City
. Henry discovered that he enjoyed teaching and many workshops
followed in many parts of the country. In 1987 Henry and his family
moved back to
Santa Monica
,
California
where he continued to teach and mentor many artists.
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In 1998, Fukuhara organized a group of 25
artists to travel to the
Manzanar
War
Relocation
Center
, now a National Historic Site, and the Alabama Hills to paint the
magnificent scenery he experienced when he and his family were
interned at the camp. This was the beginning of the Annual Henry
Fukuhara Watercolor Workshops. Each year the number of artists
increased until over 80 were attending including many well known
artists and teachers. At
the Alabama Hills and Manzanar locations Henry would give a short
lecture and do a demonstration. At the end of each day he would do a
critique of the day’s work. Due to his failing health and the loss
of his eyesight Henry had not been able to participate for the past
four years but remained involved in the planning. The 13th
workshop will take place in May, 2010.
Henry was a very generous person who loved to
teach others and enjoyed hearing about the success of his students or
colleagues. His habit was to send a note containing a little
watercolor sketch that was like getting a special award. He will be
missed by many.
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