Willy's Story

Wilma Thomson spent her early career traveling across the United States, studying under a variety of distinguished art scholars, and was already an accomplished artist herself before she moved to Tokyo, Japan, in 1972. Expecting to only spend one year living and studying in Japan, Ms. Thomson ("Willy" to her friends) had no idea that she was to call this region of the world "home" for the next 25 years. 

This extended stay in Asia, however, was truly a blessing, as it allowed her to travel not only extensively throughout Japan, but also to over 50 countries around the world, especially the neighboring Asian countries of China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. It was during these years of travel that she was able to completely hone her skills as an artist in such media as oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, graphite and color pencil.  

Further, while living in Japan, she taught multiple classes at the prestigious St. Mary's International School for boys, including Architectural Design, a collegiate-level International Baccalaureate (I.B.) course that over 99% of her students used to pursue degrees in architecture. 
 

She has also been sought out as an image/art consultant by a variety of Japanese corporations, among which is the renowned Hakubi Kyoto Kimono School of Japan that commissioned her to conduct seminars on the impact of color in personal style, as well as in work environments and advertising. Subsequently, all 1,000 Hakubi Kimono Schools worldwide have adopted her exceptional program. 

Her work has been exhibited at numerous galleries in Tokyo, including the Odakyu Department Gallery and the Tokyo American Club. She has also received awards from such esteemed institutions as the Shinjuku Federation of Artists.

She had returned to the United States to continue her art career in her native country. Although leukemia has taken her from us, we are blessed with the legacy of her life's artwork and incredible passion for life.