Reiko was always surrounded by art. Her mother Toshiko was an extensive kimono, Japanese textile and ceramic collector. She also practices Ikebana, Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony), Taisho Goto and Shamisen player. Reiko has fond memories of visiting the studio of respected Ceramic Master Enryu with her mother. Enryu provided his seasonal works for Toshiko’s Traditional Japanese　Kappo Ryori (Japanese seasonal fine dining) Restrant Bar in Tokyo. Toshiko‘s father (Reiko’s grandfather) Kinji Ichino was a leading commercial artist in Yokohama, Kanagawa in 1940’s to 1960’s, also worked as an artist and illustrator for Advisement department of Fujiya (Japanese Confectionery company) and US Army Base Publisher. Reiko has had life changing encounters with two of her art teachers. During Reiko’s senior years at Yashio Kita Elementary School in Tokyo, Reiko encountered an art teacher/artist/writer Mr Mitsuhiro Shimizu (Currently Professor of Primary (art) education at Showa Woman’s University, leading academic on primary art education and published writer) who encouraged and nurtured Reiko’s keen interest in art. He showed her printmaking, carving, ceramics, pottery and introduced her further into the world of art. He ignited a passion for creation in her young heart. During the her years at Junshin Ladies College in Hiroo, she studied Japanese Tea Ceremony Sado under the school of Sohenryu (山田宗徧流）where she was exposed and memorised by the artistry of Wagashi (sculptured small Japanese sweets) and beauty of Tea Bowls ceramics. During her high school years in Sydney at the Emanuel College in eastern suburb of Sydney, Reiko had a great opportunity to study visual art and photography under Miss Debra Stone; an enthusiastic young photographer who graduated from New York Institute of Photography. She nurtured Reiko’s passion for art and photography, taught the traditional method of photography printing processes. She also encouraged Reiko’s Japanese heritage which come though her art. Reiko has never attended fine art tertiary education, she continues to create art to this day. Art is very much part of her life, just like eating and breathing. “I believe there is no separation between creativity and our day to day life. We often think creativity is all about art making. But I think it is about the struggle to overcome our own fear, doubt and prejudice in day to day interaction, strive to see the infinite possibilities at the time of darkness. Overcoming the conflict between creativity and destruction within my heart can help expand my understanding of life that how everything and everyone is connected. My art is inspired by my day to day life.”