#childhood-influences

#childhood-influences

Drawing on a natural curiosity cultivated in childhood, Aoki has come full circle on what captures her attention. Aoki says her younger self would be surprised that she's managed to carve out a life as a painter, since it wasn't really considered an option in her family. Sneaking it in as a double major, Aoki graduated from University of the Pacific in Stockton, with a BA in mathematics and studio art.

"Life can be a pretty rough raisin," he says, "so if I manage to distract someone from whatever they're going through or brighten up their day or remind them that it's okay to do what you like doing and have fun, even for a moment, then my job is done."