Explore Exhibitions

Toyo Art Gallery presented a solo exhibition featuring artist Alvin Takamori, held from July through August 2026. 

Born in Los Angeles, as the younger of two boys, to an accountant and a seamstress from Hawaii, I grew up in Gardena, California. The encouragement of a kindergarten teacher introduced me to painting, and I’ve been attracted to a creative life ever since.

An impulse to be practical led to a couple of years studying physics at Occidental College but, the need for a more creative outlet, led me to a compromise idea to study industrial design at CSU Long Beach. After college, I worked primarily as a craftsman, building and installing custom signs and displays. With the evolution of computer software, I transitioned to a career in graphic design.

During my career in commercial art, art for purely creative expression was shunted to the back burner as something to do someday, when I had more time. This occurred over twenty five years later.

As a volunteer at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI), I had worked with Mary Hatsuko Higuchi and Donald Hata. Somehow, based on their appreciation for my graphic designs, in 2014 they invited me to join the Henry Fukuhara Manzanar “Paint Out,”organized by Al Setton and Michele Pearson.

I hadn’t picked up a brush to paint anything since college. After researching plein air painting, I knew I needed an easel, something to sit on, paints, brushes, a palette, and paper or canvases. The details concerning which paints, which brushes, which paper to use was a guessing game. Also, there was a new world of additional items like palette knives, sponges, tapes, mediums, masking fluid, spray bottles, etc. After a spending spree collectingwhatever I could find on sale, I accumulated more than I needed and headed off to the Eastern Sierras.

The first day of painting I met Ron Libbrecht, who puzzled over my use of acrylic paint straight from the tube. By the third day, I was mixing my paints on a palette and creating paintings that I was happy with. The many years that I had avoided painting, I had always feared that it would be too time consuming. By the end of the workshop, I had confidence that I could produce a painting in an afternoon. I’ve been painting ever since.

During the workshop, I also met Bill Wassenberg, who invited me to the meetings of the South Bay Watercolor Society (SBWS). It opened my eyes to a new universe of local art groups. Meeting artists, watching demonstrations, attending workshops, seeing and participating in art shows has added a whole new dimension to my life. Now, I’m newsletter editor for SBWS, and I organize an art show at the GVJCI.

As for my art, I am attracted to water media. It’s a medium I feel comfortable with, having used it as a child. Regarding the subjects for my art, I am drawn to the beauty and patterns of nature, the people in my life, like my family are depicted in my paintings. There are also stories I want to share.

Beginning with that first workshop, which included a visit to the Manzanar concentration camp, the unjustified imprisonment of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II, has been a topic of several paintings. Telling that story through my art has been important to me. Painting has become a way for me to communicate different narratives. Sometimes, I want to express something more abstract like an idea or a feeling. My art is a vehicle to share my passions, ideas, thoughts and emotions.

Thanks to Mary and Don and that first workshop, now I know that I have art as a method of communicating and plan to use it for the rest of my life.

Toyo Art Gallery recently presented a solo exhibition of artist Jasmine Hernandez.

The art exhibit was shown June 2026.

Jasmine Hernandez is a full-time fine artist based in Downey, California. Working across acrylic, charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil, her practice is rooted in the expressive and intimate portrayal of animals. Guided by a lifelong connection to the natural world’s fauna, Jasmine creates work that balances technical precision with emotional depth, inviting viewers into a closer, more empathetic relationship with her subjects.

Her artistic journey began in childhood with sketches of horses, gradually evolving into a focused and refined exploration of animal portraiture. Today, her work reflects not only a commitment to anatomical accuracy, but also an ability to convey personality, mood, and presence—capturing what often feels intangible in her subjects.

Jasmine’s style can be described as a blend of realism and expressive naturalism. While grounded in

careful observation and fine detail, her work avoids rigidity through the use of soft transitions, layered textures, and nuanced tonal shifts. She often emphasizes the eyes and subtle facial features of her subjects, using them as focal points to communicate emotion and character. Her handling of light and shadow enhances depth and dimensionality, while her controlled yet fluid mark-making gives each piece a sense of vitality and movement.

After graduating from high school, Jasmine dedicated herself fully to cultivating her career, participating in local exhibitions and building a strong client base through commissioned works.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she extended her artistic practice into functional design, creating custom face masks, tote bags, and apparel featuring personalized pet portraits—offering both comfort and a sense of connection during a time of widespread uncertainty.

In 2023, Jasmine expanded her skill set by studying graphic design at Cerritos College, incorporating

digital techniques into her evolving practice. This exploration has allowed her to bridge traditional and contemporary methods, opening new avenues for creative expression while remaining grounded in her foundational techniques.

In her traditional media, Hernandez employs a meticulous layering process—building depth between

layers upon layers of pigment, whether in the richness of acrylic paint or the delicacy of charcoal

and pastel. Her colored pencil work, in particular, demonstrates a refined sensitivity to color blending

and gradation, resulting in surfaces that feel both detailed and luminous. Backgrounds are often

understated or atmospheric, allowing the subject to emerge with clarity and presence, reinforcing a sense of quiet intimacy.

A key element of her practice is her ability to translate emotional connection into visual form. Her

portraits frequently evoke themes of conservation and animal appreciation. Rather than idealizing her subjects, she presents them with authenticity and respect, highlighting their individuality and spirit.

Jasmine Hernandez continues to pursue her work with a commitment to accuracy, sensitivity, and artistic growth. Through her practice, she celebrates the enduring presence of animals in our lives and affirms her belief in the limitless potential of artistic expression.

Jasmine Hernandez continues to pursue her work with a commitment to accuracy, sensitivity, and artistic growth. Through her practice, she celebrates the enduring presence of animals in our lives and affirms her belief in the limitless potential of artistic expression.

 Toyo Art Gallery is proud to present an upcoming exhibition featuring Spanish artist Myriam Arnold, presenting a collection of her beautiful works brought directly from Tarragona, Spain. 

 Myriam Arnold was born in Tarragona, Spain in 1966. From a very early age she developed a deep interest in art and soon began her artistic training, which lasted nearly ten years. She first studied drawing and painting at the school of Carmen Alquézar and later continued her studies at the School of Art of Tarragona, Spain. Over time, through a series of personal and artistic evolutions that have shaped the mature path of her work, she now considers herself largely a self-taught artist.

Through painting and a variety of materials, Arnold gives form to a world populated by tender, childlike characters filled with emotion. Their stories are inspired by everyday life, yet the artist surrounds them with a dreamlike and romantic atmosphere.

In her studio, the characters she paints seem to accompany her—vibrating, dancing, and becoming part of her universe where dream, magic, and life intertwine. Classical music often fills the space, especially the compositions of Bach and Vivaldi, helping her achieve a harmonious dialogue of the senses.

Her pictorial language approaches what could be described as symbolist naïve art—a highly distinctive style. Her work possesses a singular personality, easily recognizable and imbued with a special magic that captivates the viewer.

Alongside her artistic practice, Arnold is also devoted to teaching. She organizes painting workshops in which she generously shares her extensive artistic knowledge with her students.

Her work has been presented in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Catalonia and Spain, as well as internationally across Europe and Asia, with recent exhibitions held in England and Taiwan.

At the La Catedral Art Gallery in Tarragona, Myriam Arnold presents a collection of eighteen paintings and small sculptures selected especially for this exhibition.

The exhibition warmly welcomes citizens, collectors, and all those who are particularly sensitive to the beauty and poetry that emerge from art.

 Toyo Art Gallery was honored to present an exhibition of works by artist Javier Riera during the winter 2025 season, featuring his latest collection.  

Biography

Javier Riera is the artistic name of Javier Vásquez Riera, born in Lima, Peru. From an early

age, he demonstrated a strong artistic inclination and a deep passion for drawing and painting. His

talent was recognized early on through various awards and honors that marked the beginning of a

lifelong artistic journey.

He began developing his skills by studying and recreating works of the great European masters, an

experience that enriched his technical knowledge—particularly in oil painting—and laid a solid

foundation for his professional career. Over time, he entered the art world as a full-time painter,

sustaining himself through the creation and sale of his works to select clients.

Javier later relocated to California, United States, where he continued his formal art education at

El Camino College. There, he once again stood out for his natural talent, further refining his

techniques in drawing and painting. This accumulated artistic experience led to the development

of his own distinctive style—one that is unique, personal, and authentic.

Currently, Javier Riera focuses on producing works that increasingly emphasize his individual artistic

language, oriented toward abstract and surrealist expression. His compositions are characterized by

vivid colors and imaginative forms that invite viewers into a dreamlike and immersive visual experience.

In addition to his fine art practice, Javier Riera has dedicated his life to art and design across multiple

disciplines. He has worked in fine furniture design, the pop-up books design industry, technical and industrial drawing, and architectural design—the latter leading him to establish an architectural firm in California.

His work has been exhibited in California and Spain, including exhibitions at Galería La Catedral in

Tarragona, Mombó Gallery in Spain (2025), and a solo exhibition at Toyo Art Gallery in Los Angeles.

In Galicia, Spain, one of his artworks was featured as the cover of the book “A las orillas de tu piel”,

published by Círculo Rojo.

Javier Riera is an artist in constant evolution, driven by a tireless commitment to innovation and

creative exploration. Through his work, he continues to contribute meaningfully to contemporary

culture and the field of plastic arts.