Biography

Ikki was born in Tokyo, Japan to a well-known cartoonist and children's book illustrator.

Came to the United States to study at the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana Where his older brother was a sculpture student.

Transferred to the Art Academy of Cincinnati to study under the renowned humorous wildlife artist, Charles Harper.

Graduated from art school and began work at a Cincinnati advertising agency. Married fellow student, Polly Adamson.

Rand McNally published a two-volume book of punch out animals designed by Ikki. Left the agency to work at an art studio.

Still working in the advertising field as an illustrator and designer, Ikki and Polly move to a 50-acre farm in Loveland, Ohio. The family grew to two sons, one daughter, Five Horses, one donkey, three dogs, a lot of cats, four goats, a dozen or so chickens, a few ducks, one monkey and a skunk.

Ikki left the studio and established his own business at the farm. His work included: book illustration, newspaper ads, package and display designs, etc. He was commissioned to illustrate The Joy of Cooking.

Unsatisfied with the advertising field, Ikki and his family moved from the Ohio farm to Sanibel Island, Florida. There he established a new career as a painter and printmaker using the native birds as his subjects.

To be near to his ailing father, Ikki and his family moved to Oregon where he produced a series of west coast landscape painting. After one year, they returned to Florida.

Ikki was 1 of 50 artist chose by First Lady, Nancy Reagan to paint an Easter egg. It is now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum. The C&S National Bank on Sanibel commissioned 30 original paintings which are on public display throughout their building. It is the largest corporate collection of Ikki's work.

The Matsumoto's rescued an old beach house, moved it to Tarpon Bay Road and transformed it into a showroom for Ikki's works as well as works by other local artists and craftsmen.