Masako Tobita Japanese, b. 1954

‘As the days begin, I pick up a brush, mix some colours and start making the first mark on a canvas - without knowing where it will lead.  My work is very much like an autobiography -  layers of feeling about the past, the present and the future. I paint instead of writing a diary.

‘For this exhibition, I visited St Ives and the surrounding area in January and March.  I really enjoyed walking on the SW Coast Path. My souvenirs from those visits were, the moment when I was looking at 'Cape Cornwall' through the cottage window, the coming and going of the 'Silent Waves -  the Cycle of Life' and the moment when I was standing at the bottom of Kenidjack Valley with no one else around.

‘I was born and raised in Japan and gained a BA in Fine Art from Joshibi University of Art and Design in Tokyo. At the time, I was more interested in photography than painting. But after moving to New York, I realised that painting was my main interest. I took a drawing class at The Art Students League and started painting more seriously.

‘Since I moved to England in 1989, I've been exhibiting at various galleries and venues. Also my work is in the BBC “Your Paintings – the UK's publicly-owned oil paintings” project since my work is in Hampshire County Council's collections.'