Mariko Toyama
Maker Monday - September 2025
About the Artist
Name: Mariko Toyama
Medium: watercolor
Years creating: from 2 years old
SCAA member: 30 years
Based in: Rhode Island / Japan
Click an image to view slideshow
Mariko has been exhibiting with us for almost 30 years now, and has been one of our trusted watercolor teachers since 2008. Her work has been featured in a few Members Invitational Exhibitions, and she has received over a dozen awards for her watercolor work. Mariko is a member at SCAA, Wickford Art Association, and the RI Watercolor Society. - SCAA
Where are you from, and what do you make?
I was born in Kobe, located in the Western part of Japan. I have liked drawing with crayons and painting since I was 2 years old. Now, I do watercolor painting.
How long have you been seriously pursuing art?
I liked watercolor and got “The Kobe Mayer award” at my primary school. I joined an after school art club during junior high school. In my high school, we had to choose one out of art, calligraphy or music. I chose the art class in high school. I knew that in order attend a good art college, I had to study with a private art teacher. But at that time my grandmother had dementia and most of our income went to her treatment. So I gave up on art college. I am self educated and learned from books and workshops.
What inspires you to create?
I bring my Canon camera everywhere. When I find my favorite things, I photograph them and then change the composition to match my style and design. Or I create from my own imagination.
Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?
It is a very difficult question to answer. I am Japanese, so I have always been impressed by Japanese Anime and Manga. There is a sense of perspective without any unnecessary expressive detail.
Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?
I love many artists but I saw the Matisse exhibition in Rome and fell in love with it. I praise his colorful and bold composition.
As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?
I’ve been a member for over 20 years and every year I discover something new. The staff and their seriousness are great.