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I initially started in the bookmaking world, where I was involved in the industry for several years. However, I realized down the line that I wanted to expand my artistic passions into other ventures. All my life, I have had a love of cats and their beauty. They had always inspired me in all of my various artistic disciplines. When I finally decided that it was time for me to pursue painting, the subjects of my work were therefore an easy and obvious choice. Since then, I have been drawing and painting cats in various forms, often integrating these images with nature-inspired insignias. Bookmaking still impacts my work, as I have been involved in that world for far longer than I have been painting. The knowledge I’ve gained in binding manuscripts and designing covers has proved useful, as the craft continues to inspire the images that I continue to draw and paint to this day.
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BIOGRAPHY AND JOB HISTORY
1956: Born in Tokyo, Japan
1974-1977: Graduated from Musashino Art University with a focus on Visual Communication Design
1981: After working as an assistant designer at an advertising and publishing company, started working at Shin-Yo, a flower promotion company
1984 - 1995: Worked as an Art Director in Chief at Shin-Yo
1996 - 1999: Worked as a Marketing Supervisor at Shin-Yo
2000: Left Shin-Yo
Current: Works as a book cover designer and cat painter
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ARTWORK
1985: Participated in “Glass Art” group exhibition
1995: First solo exhibition of book cover illustrations
1996: Participated in an exhibition at Beaux-arts Mieux’s Christmas exhibition, a gallery that specializes in cat artwork
2000: First solo exhibition at Beaux-arts Mieux, “Triangle”
2001: Solo exhibition at Beaux-arts Mieux, “Botanical Fantasy,” began series of watercolor paintings of flowers and cat fairies and began exhibiting annually.
2005: Solo exhibition at Sumon in Fujisawa, “Flower and Fairies”
2008: Painting exhibition at Junkudo in Tokyo, “Sachiko Nakajima - Works for Books”
2013: Opened the gallery Chaton de Mieux with friends and ran special exhibitions and solo exhibitions. Participated in cat-based events at other galleries and department stores.
2015: Closed the gallery Chaton de Mieux. Started the Mew Mew Club with fans and other artists, and became the organization’s secretary. Has held an annual solo exhibition at Bara Gallery in Ginza since then.
2020: Launched website, began selling art online.
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Illustrations and picture books
「Flower gift book」
「Flower language of Good love」
「Mail greeting」
「Anniversary wreath」
「BOTANICAL FANTASY」
「BOTANICAL FANTASY2014～」（Japanese / English version）
Bookbinding
I was an avid bookbinder even before I began painting. I enjoy the process because it allows me to take on multiple roles: art director, illustrator, and sometimes author. Given a completed manuscript and the necessary materials, I am able to take a book through its many stages from planning to final touches. Throughout my career, I have created so many that I am afraid it would take much too long to introduce them all, but I hope to present my own illustrated volumes and co-authored books in the future.
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