REVIEWS
THE ARTIST
Yoriko’s artistic path is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the power of transformation. Born with a vision impairment, her journey has been one of inner discovery, vivid imagination, and unyielding determination. Her unique perspective of the world was evident from an early age. Despite the challenges of her vision impairment, she found solace in the kaleidoscope of colors and opalescent light that graced her inner vision. Encouraged by her parents, she turned to painting as a means of self-expression, allowing her love for color and intuition to guide her. In 2007, fate brought Yoriko and Kali together, igniting the spark for what would become Serena, Mother of Pearls. As Yoriko’s art flourished, Serena’s evolution mirrored her own inner growth. With Kali’s unwavering support, she embarked on the journey of illustrating Serena’s story, and their collaboration was a source of mutual inspiration. From the delicate baby Serena drawings to monumental life-sized paintings, her work brought Serena’s narrative to life in vivid detail. Serena’s struggles and triumphs paralleled Yoriko’s own healing journey. Through illness and challenges, she found herself turning inward, discovering the richness of inner experiences over external accomplishments. Serena, once a timid oyster, transformed into a symbol of pure consciousness, a journey that resonated deeply with Yoriko’s own path of self-discovery.
From the sacred depths of dreams comes Serena, Mother of Pearls, a story of love, hope and resilience, set in the azure seascape of Baja California. Brilliantly colorful illustrations bring to life whimsical creatures of ocean, land, and sky. The story reads like a lullaby. Snuggle up and share this sweet and powerful saga with everyone in the family, as gentle waves of wonder excite the imagination. A kaleidoscope of ethereal beauty, Serena, Mother of Pearls, takes us on a profound journey, reminding readers of the importance of persistence, the value of friends, and the worth of the precious treasure residing within.
Judy Sundayo, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
THE ARTIST
Yoriko’s artistic path is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the power of transformation. Born with a vision impairment, her journey has been one of inner discovery, vivid imagination, and unyielding determination. Her unique perspective of the world was evident from an early age. Despite the challenges of her vision impairment, she found solace in the kaleidoscope of colors and opalescent light that graced her inner vision. Encouraged by her parents, she turned to painting as a means of self-expression, allowing her love for color and intuition to guide her. In 2007, fate brought Yoriko and Kali together, igniting the spark for what would become Serena, Mother of Pearls. As Yoriko’s art flourished, Serena’s evolution mirrored her own inner growth. With Kali’s unwavering support, she embarked on the journey of illustrating Serena’s story, and their collaboration was a source of mutual inspiration. From the delicate baby Serena drawings to monumental life-sized paintings, her work brought Serena’s narrative to life in vivid detail. Serena’s struggles and triumphs paralleled Yoriko’s own healing journey. Through illness and challenges, she found herself turning inward, discovering the richness of inner experiences over external accomplishments. Serena, once a timid oyster, transformed into a symbol of pure consciousness, a journey that resonated deeply with Yoriko’s own path of self-discovery.
