b. Honolulu, Hawaii, 1987

Anisa Asakawa is an accomplished contemporary painter based in Portland, Oregon. She seamlessly weaves her artistic passion with her role as a devoted mother of two using her deep connection with nature as a means to navigate and transform her experience with grief. Stricken by the sudden loss of her father in 2018, Anisa discovered solace and inspiration in the forest's embrace while reminiscing of her Dad, a life-long forester and champion of ecology. Anisa’s meditative walks among ancient trees and moss-covered paths have become a sacred ritual, a transformative journey where the forest serves as her canvas of healing and renewal. With brush in hand, she captures the interplay of light and shadow, of life and loss, and conveys these complex emotions onto her canvases.

However, Anisa's art is not only a reflection of personal grief but also a poignant commentary on the loss of natural spaces due to the urgent challenges of our time. Global warming, deforestation, and human impact have cast a shadow on the once-pristine landscapes of our planet. In her paintings, she intertwines the themes of personal loss with the collective mourning of our changing world while still maintaining an optimistic hope for the future. Her vivid colors, inspired by her Hawaiian-childhood, and energetic renderings create a rich palette for her artistic expression, allowing her to convey the delicate balance between human existence and the natural world. Her art not only serves as a therapeutic outlet for her grief but also as a powerful call to action, inviting viewers to explore the intertwined narratives of mourning, self-discovery, and the profound connection with the healing power of nature. Anisa resides in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, where the forest remains her constant muse, even as she bears witness to the impact of global warming and deforestation on the beloved landscapes she paints.

Anisa received a BFA in Drawing & Printmaking from the SamFox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington U. in St. Louis.