Danielle O’Connor Akiyama

Canadian by descent and now lives in Canada and Ireland with her Japanese actor husband – her two children are grown up.

Artistic parents, studied art therapy (hence her understanding of psychology which has had a profound influence in her images) and art.

Her flowers began as accurate portrayals, but as her style developed have become representations (‘emblems’ says Danielle’) of personalities, emotions or experiences.

Inspired by her extensive travel to all seven continents.

Japanese red chop mark, a feature of all her paintings, reads Chi Sho (meaning ‘source of joy’), the name bestowed on her by the head sensei during her Sumi-e course.

Writes ‘drifts’ – poetic statements – on the canvas before painting so each work harbours a hidden personal message from the artist. “Painting is silent poetry”.

Believes meditation helps achieve compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness, and these uplifting ideas suffuse all her work.

Her wish is that each of us can aim for and grasp our dreams, and that her paintings will be a part of that positive journey.

Bold, floral and abstract images, vibrating with life and energy.

Energy is a key element in every single painting – paints with a strong sense of harnessing her own positive energy and passing it on to the viewer.

Loose, impressionistic and painterly style.

Explosions of extravagant colour – exquisite beauty.

High-impact and powerful statement pieces bringing any interior to life.

Profound fusion of Eastern and Western style and philosophy.