Artists We Love: Ayumi Takahashi

COMPILED BY Michaela Stehr IMAGES r_you_me on Instagram

Artist Ayumi Takahashi works in bright and bold colours and patterns.

Ayumi, who was recently spotted and featured by the Instagram Blog, was born in China, grew up in Japan and now lives in Portland in the USA.

She draws inspiration from the women and fashion she sees around her to produce colourful and vivid portraits and patterns reminiscent of Henri Matisse’s collages and Alex Katz’s paintings.

Her art is used to bring a sense of joy and and happiness into a world where she feels negativity is often the focus.

Today’s daily little painting~ #blue #sunglasses #girl #fashion #daily #areyoudrawingme

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Aug 31, 2015 at 10:51am PDT

Sneak peak of part of this project I have been doing with Coca Cola China! #cocacola #pattern #illustration #forest #girl #ayumitakahashi #textile #digital #painting A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Apr 1, 2015 at 3:54pm PDT

Daily #49 #political #woman #powerfulwoman #silver #hair #fashion

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Sep 16, 2015 at 6:40pm PDT

Having fun doing small people! #cocacola #illustration #digital #colorful #color #earth #ocean #ayumitakahashi A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Apr 14, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT

Laying out the paper cut flowers I did. Starting to like it! #colorpencil #pattern #flower #papercut #handmaking #textile

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Jul 21, 2015 at 7:00pm PDT

Did a piece for The New York Times for a very interesting story! “The Undress Code”, written by BONNIE TSUI, art directed by Sarah Williamson. This is the part 1 of the artwork. The printed version will come out on this week’s Sunday Review session. #thenewyorktimes #illustration #dresscode #undresscode #sweater #comic #sneakpeak A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Nov 12, 2015 at 5:55pm PST

This is a part of the last entry of the collaboration with the sound piece that @chrisosborn did for @pairshaped. 13″ x 19″ on paper. Check out the whole project on www.pairshaped.org More coming up! Follow @pairshaped for more amazing collaborations between all kinds of artists! #collaboration #pairshaped #artist #image #contemporary #art #sound #moviemaker #filmmaker #ayumitakahashi #painting

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Jun 18, 2015 at 7:57pm PDT

And finally! This is the final!! #space #universe #illustration #fun #colorful #cocacola #digital #ayumitakahashi A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Apr 14, 2015 at 7:46pm PDT

In love with this giant #Alighiero Boetti embroidery! Love Germany~

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Jun 6, 2015 at 2:59pm PDT

One last pattern design I did for #cocacola China’s “Clean Water Project” to go on their water filter machine. #finally #cocacola #branding #packaging #pattern #design #illustration #digital #painting #sea #animal A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Jul 20, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

#wip #new #soloshow #duplexgallery #upcoming #portland #art #painting

A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on Oct 30, 2015 at 10:04am PDT

I have been working on this collaboration over half a year with @chrisosborn for @pairshaped. It was a great project creating images based on sound pieces that Chris has created. This is our first entry and see the whole project on www.pairshaped.org More coming up! Follow @pairshaped for more amazing collaborations between all kinds of artists! #collaboration #pairshaped #artist #image #contemporary #art #sound #moviemaker #filmmaker #ayumitakahashi A photo posted by Ayumi Takahashi (@r_you_me) on May 22, 2015 at 4:53pm PDT

To see more of her work, visit ayumitakahashi.com or follow her on Instagram.