Sakura Splash Mixed Media Bloom

Join a Japanese artist to create a beautiful mixed media art of Sakura (cherry blossoms). The guest will make the 9x12” size that would be perfect to display at their home for the Spring season.

Meet the Instructor

Mieko Anekawa is a Japanese artist living and working in San Diego, celebrated for her vibrant, pop-inspired acrylic paintings that harmonize natural forms with expressive emotion. Originally trained in Graphic Design at Kyoto-Seika University, she began her journey creating art in New York City before relocating to San Diego in 2015. Her work has been exhibited internationally — in New York, Amsterdam, Belgium, Canada, England, Osaka, and Tokyo. In 2024, her work was honored with an award at the San Diego County Fair Art Exhibition.

Drawing from both her Japanese roots and Southern California’s botanical beauty, Mieko channels a sense of renewal and emotional depth into every piece. Her art reflects a love for saturated color, natural motifs, and subtle storytelling — an aesthetic shaped by the plants, animals, and landscapes she encounters in her daily life.

Committed to community and connection, Mieko shares her passion through teaching. She leads beginner-friendly art journaling and painting classes at the Spanish Village Art Center, offering a welcoming space for creativity and self-expression. She is excited to also teach at the Japanese Friendship Garden, where she hopes to bridge cultures and foster togetherness through art — inviting people to explore both Japanese heritage and personal creativity under one roof.