Donald Yatomi is an oil painter living and working in Bend, Oregon, best known for his contemporary urban themes. Born in Okinawa, Japan, Yatomi has been painting for over 30 years. He graduated from the University of Hawaii with a bachelor’s degree in fine art with an emphasis on painting before attending the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena California, where he graduated with a second bachelor’s degree in illustration. Since then, he has made a name for himself in entertainment design, working with companies such as DreamWorks Studios and Sony Interactive Entertainment, in addition to finding gallery representation. Yatomi’s love for contemporary realism and urban themes reveals itself in his paintings, where he strives to capture the raw beauty of the modern, industrial form.
Although traditionally trained, his focus is on composition and narrative. “My paintings are about getting as close as I can to being transparent and having ‘nothing to hide,’ without ever revealing my whole self,” he says.
Yatomi gravitates toward non-romantic subject matter. “I usually try to capture the ignored and mundane—even the repulsive—in urban spaces and cities,” he says. “My work reflects a lot from a childhood of poverty and instability. I also like the nostalgic aspects of spaces that touch on memories and past lives. I like elements that tie us all together—that we share in common.” —
Want to See More?
www.donaldyatomi.com | (541) 350-8745
Represented by Peterson Contemporary Art
550 NW Franklin Avenue, Ste. 178 | Bend, OR 97703
(541) 633-7148 | www.pcagallery.com
thegallery@pcagallery.com
Instagram: @donaldyatomiart
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