Kim Fujiwara

Kim Frank Fujiwara was born and raised on the northwest side of Detroit, Michigan. By first grade he was already in advanced art classes mentored by his art teacher. He was known as “the kid who draws.” He says his influences were Marvel comic books (John Buscema), psychedelic rock posters, Creepy (Frank Frazetta) and Mad magazines (Mort Drucker, Jack Davis). He did hallway art and special assignments for grade school and high school. He took second place in the state for the American Legion Poppy Poster contest in the 11th grade. He was determined to make art as a career and in 1975 he enrolled at the prestigious art school Center for Creative Studies/College of Art and Design (CCS) in Detroit. Some influences and inspirations during this time were Michaelangelo, and American artists, (Bernie Fuchs, Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish) and French Impressionism. After graduating CCS in 1979, Kim worked at major art studios around the Detroit area and by the mid 80’s he was an instructor at CCS for 5 years teaching Illustration, Figure Illustration, and Illustration Techniques. In 1992, Kim started his own studio, Fujiwara Art, Inc. where he specialized in portraits, illustration, and commissioned art. 

Kim’s artwork and portraits have appeared on national ads, book covers, magazine covers, CD covers, posters, annual reports, point-of-purchase, and children’s books.  Several of his portraits (over 25) have decorated the walls at the prestigious Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills and watercolor works include over 100 portrait montages for Ford Motor Company’s NADA awards "Salute to Dealers" which can be viewed at world headquarters in Dearborn. Kim has worked on several campaigns for Valvoline Oil Co. and Utica Enterprises as well. Portraits of celebrities have included, Arnold Palmer, Isiah Thomas, Jack Nicklaus, Henry Ford, George Kell, Ben Wright, Al Unser Jr., Hillary Clinton for the Washington Post, and a limited-edition print of Shaquille O’Neal. In 2003 Kim created a series of  'Fujiwara Art' limited wine labels of Michigan for Cherry Creek Cellars. His work appears in several Native American children’s books including; Carlos Montezuma, Ishi, also Science Adventures/ Whales, and Italian Portraits.  In 2013 "My Name is Leona' was awarded Gold Medal from Mom's Choice Awards. In 2014, Kim was commissioned to do mural size artwork for the remodeled restaurant, J. Baldwin’s in Clinton Township. In 2019 , Kim was awarded 'Best of Detroit Fine Artist '/ Hour Magazine in which he was commissioned cover art, portrait of Aretha Franklin.  Western artworks have appeared in Wild West magazine and Western Art Collector's.

 
On The American West:

“From composition to lighting and color, models to wardrobe, weather and moods to earth and sky, historical to romantic, guns to horses, research to finished art, ‘The American West’ has everything you need to fuel the soul and utilize my skills at the same time. Art is a lifetime process of learning and passion.”-kf

Besides watching western TV shows and western movies during the 1960’s, his inspiration of The American West actually started in 1990 after being commissioned to illustrate four children’s books for Raintree Steck-Vaughn publishers. Two of the books were titled, “Carlos Montezuma and Ishi”, both Native American biographies. All pencil sketches were to be approved by a Smithsonian associate who worked with the publisher on historical subjects.
After the books were published, friends and family who lived out west said they saw the books in many stores. Hollywood even made a movie about Ishi; “The Last of His Tribe” starring John Voight and Graham Greene. Kim and his wife made several trips to Arizona where they visited many towns and cities with art galleries. Other visits included Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2012, Kim started his series of paintings depicting The American West. In 2019 -2020 Kim's artwork has appeared in Wild West magazine. Kim’s goal is to have another studio out west to paint and live it. 

Leah Do Fine Art Consulting connects New York area buyers to the work of contemporary artist, Kim Fujiwara.