Konoike was born in Akita , Japan . She graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music . She worked as a toy designer before becoming a professional artist in 1988 . She took a short hiatus after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . Her first exhibition outside Japan was in 2013 , at the Gallery Wendi Norris
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Tomoko Konoike