About the Artist

Akiko Martinache

Born in Tokyo /Living in France/ Painter & Illustrator

I love both Japanese onigiri and French brioche and tarts!

I grew up in the vibrant city of Tokyo, and from an early age I was drawn to folktales and imaginary stories, often drawing the worlds that appeared in my mind. As a child, I would make colored water from flowers growing between buildings or draw to soothe my heart — experiences that have become the foundation of my current creative work.

Having lived in Japan, Venezuela, and Hawaii, I came to realize that differences in culture and language are simply a natural part of human diversity. Every encounter with people and every place I visit gives me the feeling that everyday life itself is like discovering a new story.

From the volcanoes and tropical rainforests of Hawaii, to the cold winters of New York, and now to everyday life in France — each place has shaped my sensibility. My time working under Italian-Tuscan painter Andrea Razzauti in Hawaii also had a profound influence on my artistic practice today.

For me, expressing feelings and atmosphere through images feels more natural than putting them into words. I draw the small emotions and imaginative worlds within my heart in a gentle, slightly whimsical way.

Since 2013, I have been based in Nice, France. Since 2019, I have also been working on commissioned illustrations, including children’s book illustrations in the United States and France. Alongside illustration work, I continue to create original artworks.