Victor Amemiya

Victor Amemiya passed away in the fall of 2017, just a month shy of his 94th birthday. Victor left the balance of his estate to DAHC, including his remaining artwork . Read his biography below, and contact us if you are interested in purchasing his art.

Victor Amemiya is a Japanese-American artist that works in several different media, but he enjoys the challenge of scratchboard best. A hard board is prepped with a layer of fine white clay and then a coating of India ink is applied. Today, commercially prepared boards are available. Victor first makes a pencil drawing, and then using white transfer paper, traces the key lines of the drawing to the black surface. Using a fine stylus and other special tools, the drawing is engraved through the layer of ink, revealing the white clay beneath. The resulting image resembles an engraving, and is impossible to replicate with brush or pen and ink. Victor then applies color to the image using watercolors and a fine brush. Probably the medium least favorable to corrections, scratchboard forces the artist to be meticulous.

Victor recalls always being interested in art, drawing on whatever was handy. An older cousin encouraged him and mentored him. Victor knew he wanted to pursue a career in art, but his journey would be unusual. Victor was born in California in 1923. During WWII he was one of many thousands of Americans of Japanese descent who were held in internment camps. After release from the camps, Victor wound up in Chicago, where he met and married Mary Kita, who would become his biggest supporter. He graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts with a certificate in commercial art. He worked in various studios, but had little time to pursue his own art.

An unusual seasonal job gave him the opportunity to travel about the country and display his art while allowing him time to work on his art, and attend art shows. In 1978 the Amemiyas moved to Arcadia, and Victor began focusing on his art full time.

Victor and Mary were active members of the Peace River Art Guild, and frequently displayed his work at outdoor shows about town. His works have been shown at Martin Art Gallery and The Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda.

Victor would have loved being a part of Portrait of Community!