About Me – Blupastels

Tamami Tokutake

I am a self-taught artist based in Reno, Nevada. My primary medium is soft pastel.

A few years back, my family and I just happened to stroll into a local small art supply store that was having a closeout sale. I was still working full-time and with a young child, so I didn’t want to get into a time-consuming art adventure. After all, I already had a bunch of watercolor paper and brush in the corner of the garage somewhere… Then I found a beautiful wooden box with Russian-made soft pastels at a discounted price. I always wanted to try pastel. For when I retire and have more time, I said to myself, and the pastels came home with me. It sat on my bookshelf for a couple years, until I came across a pastel painting class at a community college.

My favorite subject is landscape. I love painting the beauty of Northern Nevada; there’s an indescribable absoluteness. Standing still surrounded by nature, I am trying to find that special something that makes paintings ring to your soul, and mine.

I am an Artist Grant recipient from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts in Fiscal Year 2024. My solo exhibition High Desert Lights, September – October 2023 at the Stolen Moments was funded in part by this grant.

I enjoy plein air painting.

Affiliation

Reno Plein Air Artists
Latimer Art Club
Artists Co-op Gallery of Reno

Recognition

2023 Latimer Art Club 16th Annual Miniature Art Show (NV statewide) 2nd place, pastel
2022 Latimer Art Club 15th Annual Miniature Art Show (NV statewide) 1st place, pastel and People’s Choice Award
2022 Plein Air Amongst the Perennials at Wilbur D. May Arboretum, 2nd place
2021 Latimer Art Club 14th Annual Miniature Show (NV statewide) 3rd place, pastel and People’s Choice Award

Exhibits

2023 High Desert Lights: Solo exhibit at Stolen Moments, Reno
2023 Loving Nevada: Latimer Art Club Show at Wilbur D. May Museum, Reno
2023 Northern Nevada Artists exhibit at McKinley West Gallery, Reno
2023 Different Light: Solo exhibit at Coffeebar, Reno
2023 Light, Color, Contrast: Latimer Art Club Show at Reno City Hall Metro Gallery
2022 Artists Co-op Gallery of Reno (guest artist)
2022 Reno-Tahoe International Art Show (as a part of Latimer Art Club)
2021/2022 Red Rock Pastel Society of Nevada member shows
2021/2022 Latimer Art Club Annual Miniature Art Show
2021/2022 Various Latimer Art Club shows