Koetsu Kakinuma

Layers of Fantasy

My work explores the fragile intersections between nature, memory, and imagination. I strive to capture fleeting moments of light and emotion—scenes that feel both real and otherworldly. Each piece is an attempt to distill the quiet beauty that often goes unnoticed in our daily lives.

Using watercolor as my primary medium, My process is meticulous and immersive. I layer transparent watercolor to build atmosphere, allowing subtle gradations and details to emerge slowly.

Growing up in Tochigi, Japan, I was drawn to the textures of the natural world—the glint of sunlight through leaves, the shimmer of water, the silent rhythm of the seasons. As a child I often played a video game called TRIALS of MANA that continues to influence my work as it’s mystical scenes were my first exposure to the immersive feeling of a fantasy world that my paintings strive to create.

Through my work, I aim to re-create a sense of calm, wonder, and connection that I have experienced throughout my life. I’m always looking for a new world I have never seen before– reality and “the other side”. I hope my artworks can take you there.

Koetsu Kakinuma is a Japanese painter known for his luminous, detail-rich watercolor works that explore themes of nature, memory, and imagination.

Born in 1988 in Tochigi, Japan, Kakinuma earned his Bachelor of Arts in Image Arts and Science from Musashino Art University in 2010. In 2016, Kakinuma relocated to New York City, where he has since become an active contributor to the local art community. His work has been featured in galleries including The Patriot, O’Flaherty’s, New York, USA(2022) and art fairs including Superfine Art Fair New York, USA(2021,2022) Miami, USA (2023) and various alternative spaces including schools and bars.

Kakinuma’s practice is rooted in traditional watercolor techniques, yet his compositions often carry a contemporary sensibility, combining layered textures with ethereal lighting to evoke dreamlike atmospheres. Notable works include Aquatic Crystal (2024), Red Spider and Lady(2024), Unnamed Laces (2021).

Koetsu Kakinuma currently is based in Brooklyn, New York.