Jason H IzumiJason Izumi was born in 1955 and began his career far from the art world, working at his hometown post office in Kealakekua before seeking new horizons in Lewiston, Maine. It was there, collecting smooth stones along the beaches and painting tiny seacapes and landscapes upon them, that he discovered his passion for art.Following this inspiration, Izumi left the postal service to formally study painting and art history. From 1984 to 1990 he attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where he pursued studio art, and later Columbia University, where he deepened his study of art history.Since then, he has traveled extensively throughout the United States, exhibiting his work at art festivals and shows nationwide. His paintings have received numerous awards, including two Best of Show honors at the prestigious Disney Festival of the Masters in 1993 and 2000, recognizing his large-scale mixed media paintings of that period.Today, Izumi lives and works in Kona, Hawai'i, where he continues to explore the beauty of the islands through acrylic seascapes and landscapes. His recent work can be seen at Teshima's Restaurant in Honalo, founded by his grandparents and that has served the community for generations. Read More Read Less