We were lucky to catch up with Yukiko Izumi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yukiko thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

First Client through Grants: The Inaugural Mural Client My very first mural project materialized thanks to the 2021 NYC Artist Corp Grant. However, finding a suitable wall proved to be a daunting task. Despite reaching out to restaurants and large facilities through my Japanese community connections, I hit dead ends. As the grant deadline loomed, fate intervened during a neighborhood stroll. There it was—a promising wall. Summoning courage, my husband and I knocked on the facility’s door. The reception was less than warm, but it worked. Soon, I was painting my first commissioned work.

Launching My Own Project:
The First Client To build my portfolio, I initiated a personal project. Armed with mock-ups and simple phrases, I approached a Chinese-owned establishment . Unsure of their  mural interest, I crafted an easy and simple introduction which is easy to understand. As a result I received text from the local shop owner and I started making murals.

The Paying Client:
An owner, impressed by a free mural I had previously painted, approached me for a paid commission. Their billiard shutter had undergone a dramatic transformation, and their satisfaction was palpable.

Serendipitous Encounters: Clients Found During Work
While working on an outdoor mural, I often received inquiries. However, most didn’t happen due to budget constraints. But a chance encounter during my mural work led to an unexpected client. This individual, sensing destiny, invited me to Dallas. Just 1.5 months later, completed masterpiece—a dream realized.

Remember, every client connection is a stepping stone. Whether through grants, personal initiatives, or serendipity, each encounter shapes your journey as an artist. Embrace the process, and who knows—the next client might be waiting just around the corner.

Yukiko, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At first, my interest was purely curiosity-driven. During the pandemic, NYC provided financial assistance to artists, and my husband, who is also an artist with mural-painting experience, encouraged me to try something new while we were in the city. Thanks to this grant, I embarked on my first mural project.

This opportunity led to a profound experience. Murals serve not only to brighten a space but also to foster communication. During the isolating pandemic, where I hardly knew anyone in my neighborhood, I found myself interacting with people of various races and ages while working on murals. This experience stayed with me, and I decided to build a new career around it.

Initially, my husband, who had mural experience, guided me. In 2022, he was selected as the lead artist for a street mural project in Union Square, and I joined as an assistant. With leftover paint from that project, I launched my own initiative. I volunteered to create murals in our local Sunset Park, building my skills and portfolio. I reached out to potential clients by visiting local shops and posting on the “Buy Nothing” Facebook page, offering free mural services.

NYC’s art scene also features numerous open calls for mural projects. When I had completed several pieces, I applied to these opportunities. One significant achievement was being chosen as the Brooklyn representative for the Sanitation Department’s garbage truck mural project.

While community murals brighten neighborhoods, they also serve as a form of personal advertising. Inquiries often come from the names and accounts displayed in the murals. Additionally, I’ve discovered local muralists through online research.

Currently, I collaborate with the local organization Raising Health. Together, we secure grants and create several murals each year in Sunset Park, aiming to make the neighborhood brighter and safer through art. I’m also involved with a community mural organization, assisting with school mural projects.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are three aspects. Brightening up the surroundings: The transformation from “Before” to “After” can completely change the impression of a place.

Communication with people: It’s not just about interacting with clients; it’s also about starting conversations with people passing by. Connecting with individuals you wouldn’t typically meet is incredibly enjoyable. Moreover, there’s so much to learn from these interactions. For instance, while working on a mural in the Bronx, I realized that I had unknowingly discriminated against myself as a foreigner.

Mural painting is a highly appreciated job: Hearing direct feedback is powerful and giving me energy. Even after completing a project, when someone who doesn’t know me personally acknowledges the artwork and says, “Thank you for making our city beautiful,” it’s truly impactful.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Overall Goal: Improving Our Community!

I have four specific goals:

Brightening Sunset Park Through Murals:
My first goal is to transform our local Sunset Park into a vibrant and safe place through murals. Personally, I aspire to become the most well-known Japanese person in our community. Despite living here for only four years, I deeply love Sunset Park. I want to contribute as an artist whose name comes up when people think of Japanese in Sunset Park.

Making Art Accessible and Approachable:
The art industry can sometimes feel exclusive. However, the true essence of public art lies in its accessibility. By increasing the presence of art throughout our city, we hope to spark interest in art and allow everyone to experience the joy of creating, whether through volunteering or simply appreciating the beauty around them.

Connecting Longtime Residents and Newcomers:
This goal is ambitious and challenging, but it’s essential. Through community murals, people from all walks of life come together. I envision creating a bridge between longtime residents and newcomers. Let’s collaborate to build a better neighborhood.

Embracing Hands-On Creation:
Despite the rise of AI and various machines, let’s not forget the joy of creating with our own hands. Emphasize the satisfaction that comes from handmade.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yukikoizumi.myportfolio.com/mural
• Instagram: yi_design_jp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yukiko-izumi/

Image Credits
RaisingHealth, Himeka Murai, Ji Yong Kim, Dean Xu