Gina Ariko is a Japanese-American artist based in Seattle, WA. Growing up, she spent every other summer visiting family in Kokura, Japan, where her ojichan and obaachan first taught her to paint. Despite the language and distance barriers between them, they learned to connect through a shared love of painting.
Her interest in art and storytelling overlapped at Santa Clara University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in both English and studio art, with a minor in art history. Her artwork is inspired by her cultural heritage, and traditional Japanese craftsmanship, including ikebana, shibori, and ceramics, are frequently referenced in her paintings. In addition to her studio practice, Gina teaches art classes and works as a freelance floral designer in the Seattle area.