About Setsuko LeCroix
Setsuko LeCroix is a native of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. She moved to Cincinnati in 1982 and later lived in Caracas, Venezuela, and Kobe, Japan. In 1993, during her time in Kobe, Setsuko began studying Japanese ink painting (sumi-e). After returning to Cincinnati in 1999, she continued painting sumi-e. She returned to Japan frequently and spent time in meditation at Miidera, a historic Buddhist temple outside Kyoto.Setsuko is currently drawing portraits (using graphite) for commission and recently began working on oil paintings as well. With her roots in the Japanese sumi-e tradition, Setsuko is equally at home in Western techniques. “It’s like cooking a Japanese dish one day and a French one the next. They are both delicious in their own way.”In 2009, after spending nearly 15 years working on Japanese art, Setsuko decided to localize in Cincinnati and began studying Western art under the direction of David Mueller, an internationally respected artist.
Setsuko is currently drawing portraits (using graphite) for commission and recently began working on oil paintings as well. With her roots in the Japanese sumi-e tradition, Setsuko is equally at home in Western techniques. “It’s like cooking a Japanese dish one day and a French one the next. They are both delicious in their own way.”
Accomplishments
Setsuko has participated in numerous juried art competitions both in the US and Japan receiving many awards throughout her career.
Memberships
Portrait Society of America – Patron Member
The Cincinnati MacDowell Society –Board Member 2015 – present
Cincinnati Art Club – Signature Member
The Cincinnati Woman’s Club
Cincinnati Asian Art Society
Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati
Japanese American Citizens League
Exhibitions & Awards
2019 September: Accepted into National Juried Exhibition, “View Point”
2018 October: Accepted into the Annual Exhibition at Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, Indiana
2018 September: Accepted into National Juried Exhibition, “View Point”
2017 October: Accepted into National Juried Exhibition, “View Point”; received‘Founder’s Award’.
2017 May:Invited to exhibit (Japanese) at Boone County Public Library, Kentucky
2016 November: Accepted into the 118th Annual Exhibition at Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, Indiana
2016 May – June: Invited to “Uncovering” Exhibition at Washington Park Art Gallery
2016 May – July: Invited to “Landscape” Exhibition at University Club, Cincinnati
2015 November: accepted into the 117th Annual Exhibition at Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, Indiana
2015 October: Received ‘Best of the Show’ at Bang & Olfsen, Cincinnati
2015 August: Invited to “Still Life/Relevance” at Washington Park Art Gallery, Cincinnati
2014 September: Invited to “Portrait” Exhibition at Mary Ran Gallery, Hyde Park
2014 June Sept.: Invited to “Power of Place” at the YWCA Woman’s Art Gallery, Cincinnati
2014 April:Accepted into 121st Annual Exhibition Woman’s Art Cincinnati; Received ‘Fabulous Frames & Art’
2013 November: “1st Annual Cincinnati International Fine Art” at Cintas Center – sold out
2013 August: Accepted into National Juried Exhibition, “View Point 45”, received ‘People’s Choice Award’.
2013 April: Accepted into 120th Annual Exhibition Woman’s Art Cincinnati; Received’ Nova Davis Award’
2012 August: Accepted into National Juried Exhibition, “View Point 44”, received ‘People’s Choice Award’.
2012 March: Invited to Malton Gallery – Solo Exhibition
2009: Began studying Western Art under the direction of Mr. David Mueller.
2006: Setsuko decided to localize in Cincinnati
2005Became a Special Member of Nihon Bokuso-ten, a nation-wide organization with annual art competitions each year at either the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art or the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, or both.
2005Received Osaka Educational Administration Award at Osaka Municipal Museum of Art for “Morning at the Lake”
2002Invited to display three pieces at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: “A sound”, “Yellow Fudou-myou-oh,” and “Memories of Home”.
2002Received Silver Medal at Osaka Municipal Museum of Art for “A Sound”.
2001 Received Special Prize for Uniqueness at Osaka Municipal Museum of Art for a piece on the Grand Canyon, titled “Fossil Valley”.
2000Received Gold Medal at Osaka Municipal Museum of Art for “Niagara Falls – Winter”, which was also exhibited at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
1999Received Bronze Medal at Osaka Municipal Museum of Art for “Onagadori”, a piece illustrating roosters with tails that can be over 30 feet long.
