(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Saturday, December 21, 2024, painter Kyoko Bartley will be the featured speaker for the "Inside the Artist's Studio" series at Princeton Makes in the Princeton Shopping Center.  Bartley, a Japanese-born artist based near Princeton, specializes in a diverse range of art forms in various mediums, including traditional Japanese motifs, animal art and hyper-realistic drawings. The event begins at 4:30pm.

Bartley is particularly known for her vibrant Red Fuji paintings, symbolizing good fortune and success, as well as her detailed depictions of animals, such as pet portraits and her Princeton Black Squirrels series, beloved in her local community. Her art has found homes with collectors worldwide.

She will discuss her artistic journey and how New Jersey inspires her work. “New Jersey was where I realized how my Japanese background became a unique strength. Living in America has given me a new, objective perspective on Japan, allowing me to see my heritage through fresh eyes,” Bartley said.

She was a creative at a young age, winning multiple awards and accepting commissions during high school.  Her artistic journey was profoundly influenced by American pop culture during her childhood, particularly animation and Hollywood films. While honing her skills in painting and drawing, she also pursued academic studies in media technology, focusing on the U.S. film industry and its cultural impact. This passion eventually led her to study abroad in the United States, where she later settled permanently after marriage. After living in Ohio for several years, she moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where she continues to create and inspire through her art.

“My works often intertwine traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary techniques, creating pieces that resonate with both personal meaning and universal appeal,” she said.  “I also create digital art and character designs for comics, other artists and corporate clients.”

Over the years, Kyoko has earned several awards for her paintings, character art, and photography internationally, including in Japan and the U.S.

This month Bartley is the featured artist at Princeton Makes. Her work is highlighted in the front window. Her work will be available for purchase.  The “Inside the Artist’s Studio” talk series, part of the cooperative’s programming initiatives, offers the public a monthly opportunity to learn about and from its creatives.

The event will begin with a reception and light refreshments, at 4:30pm. Artwork by all cooperative artists will be available for purchase.

Princeton Makes is a cooperative of over 40 local artists who work across a range of artistic genres, including painting, drawing, stained glass, sculpture, textiles, and jewelry. Customers will be able to support local artists by visiting their in-store studios and shopping for a wide variety of art, including large paintings, prints, custom-made greeting cards, stained glass lamps and window hangings, jewelry in various designs and patterns, and more.