Luna H. Mitani
Encyclopedia
Luna H. Mitani is a Japanese-American artist
. He works in the fields of painting and pen & ink drawing.
After traveling through more than 33 countries in Europe including England
and Ireland
, Mitani began his fine art training in Amsterdam
, Netherlands
. Afterward, he continued traveling around the world for sketching. After completing the training, he became interested in commercial art, and moved to the USA to study commercial art, while beginning his career as a professional artist for the publishers and entertainment industry. He was soon called upon to design and create LP-record, music tape and CD covers for artists such as George Benson
, The Platters
, Dizzy Gillespie
, John Coltrane
, Thad Jones
, Yardbird
, Chet Baker
, Wayne Henderson
, Dan Moretti, Coale Johnson, The Highland Project, Rue Davis, Bobby Warren, and more. His CD cover works led him to work on designing posters, magazine covers, and comprehensive packaging design.
Mitani has been featured in several exhibitions in Los Angeles, California. After that, he has received a great deal of attention in Japan for his American works and was appointed Head Advisor for the Yoyogi Animation School, the largest animation school in Japan. Mitani has been featured many times in magazines, newspapers and on television in the Europe, the United States, and Japan.
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
. He works in the fields of painting and pen & ink drawing.
After traveling through more than 33 countries in Europe including England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Mitani began his fine art training in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Afterward, he continued traveling around the world for sketching. After completing the training, he became interested in commercial art, and moved to the USA to study commercial art, while beginning his career as a professional artist for the publishers and entertainment industry. He was soon called upon to design and create LP-record, music tape and CD covers for artists such as George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
, The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
, Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, Thad Jones
Thad Jones
Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader.-Biography:Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten . Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen...
, Yardbird
Yardbird
A yardbird is post-Second World War African American slang for "prisoner", from the notion of prison yards. During the Second World War, in the armed forces it meant "basic trainee", as they spent most of their time in the yards....
, Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
, Wayne Henderson
Wayne Henderson (musician)
Wayne Henderson is a soul-jazz and hard bop trombonist and record producer. In 1961, he co-founded the soul jazz/hard bop group The Jazz Crusaders...
, Dan Moretti, Coale Johnson, The Highland Project, Rue Davis, Bobby Warren, and more. His CD cover works led him to work on designing posters, magazine covers, and comprehensive packaging design.
Mitani has been featured in several exhibitions in Los Angeles, California. After that, he has received a great deal of attention in Japan for his American works and was appointed Head Advisor for the Yoyogi Animation School, the largest animation school in Japan. Mitani has been featured many times in magazines, newspapers and on television in the Europe, the United States, and Japan.
Highlights
- 1985: Had a first exhibition in the USA at Rebel Gallery in Hollywood, California.
- 1986: Had exhibitions in Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Downtown L.A., MelroseMelrose District, Los Angeles, CaliforniaMelrose District is a commercial and residential community in the Hollywood district of the City of Los Angeles, California.The term "Melrose District" may be used interchangeably by some with the "Fairfax District" which is a nearby area lacking strictly defined boundaries...
, Santa MonicaSanta Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
, Venice, Beverly HillsBeverly Hills, CaliforniaBeverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
, Studio City, and WestwoodWestwood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWestwood is a neighborhood on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is the home of the University of California, Los Angeles .-History:...
. - Was awarded "The Best of Mask" at Mona Lovins Mask Contest.
- 1987: Created CD cover art for George BensonGeorge BensonGeorge Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
's "4 For An Afternoon", The PlattersThe PlattersThe Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
's "Red Sails in the Sunset", Dizzy GillespieDizzy GillespieJohn Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, John ColtraneJohn ColtraneJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, Thad JonesThad JonesThaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader.-Biography:Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten . Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen...
's "John, John & Jones", YardbirdYardbirdA yardbird is post-Second World War African American slang for "prisoner", from the notion of prison yards. During the Second World War, in the armed forces it meant "basic trainee", as they spent most of their time in the yards....
's "Saxmen Bop". - Created cover art for a monthly magazine, The LadyThe Lady (magazine)The Lady is Britain's oldest weekly women's magazine. It has been in continuous publication since 1885 and is based in London. It is particularly notable for its classified advertisements for domestic service and child care; it also has extensive listings of holiday properties.The magazine was...
. - 1988: Was awarded "The Best Artist" at Japan America Artist Society.
- 1989: Created brochure for Singapore AirlinesSingapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
. - Created logo for Sun Utility Network, Inc., a solar-energy and sustainability planning company currently designing a 'GreenRoof Los Angeles' project.
- 1989–1991: Created cover art for all 36 volumes (every month for three years) for the first English/JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
bilingual real estate magazine in the USA, The Real Estate, published from Pioneer Promotion West. - 1990: Created CD cover art for Chet BakerChet BakerChesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
's "Albert's House" and Coale Johnson's "Rainbow Visions". - Created/designed logo and marketing materials for Club Sanctuary in Hollywood.
- 1991: Created CD cover art for Dan Moretti, Highland Project, and Robinsons Family.
- 1991: Created magazine cover art for special issue "Golf & Travel" of Golf DigestGolf DigestGolf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
. - 1992: Created CD cover art and poster for Wayne HendersonWayne Henderson (musician)Wayne Henderson is a soul-jazz and hard bop trombonist and record producer. In 1961, he co-founded the soul jazz/hard bop group The Jazz Crusaders...
(CrusadersCrusadersThe Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
) "Back to the Groove". - Created poster for Spritzer's Albuquerque Balloon Festival.
- Was appointed Head Advisor for the Yoyogi Animation School in Japan. Had an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, sponsored by Yoyogi Animation School.
- 1993: Created package art for all products of Computer Hardware Companies, "Reval", "Legend", and their parent company, "Cal Abco".
- Created CD cover art for Rue Davis's "I'm in love with the girl next door".
- 1994: Created CD cover art for Kon Kord Records Volume 1 "September Love" by Various Artists.
- Created CD cover art for Rue Davis's "Hard To Live Without You" by Kon Kord Records (KK-0049-S).
- Designed various products for a jazz guitarist, Richard Smith (T-Shirts, Poster for his concert at Catalina Island, etc.).
- Had exhibitions in GinzaGinzais a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
and HarajukuHarajukuHarajuku is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan....
in TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and was featured in various Japanese newspapers and magazines including "Nikkan Gendai", "Nikkan SportsNikkan Sportsis the first-launched Japanese daily sports newspaper founded in 1946.It has a circulation of 1,965,000, and is an affiliate newspaper of Asahi Shimbun.-Companies and regions:...
", and "Mainichi ShimbunMainichi ShimbunThe is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...
". - Created CD cover art for Hiroshi Sato's "Hiroshi Sato Best" by Alfa RecordsAlfa Records, originally Alfa Music, was established in 1969 by composer and record producer Kunihiko Murai. It was formed into an independent record label known as Alfa Records in 1977.- History :The company faced much hardship in the 1990s...
. - Created CD cover art for Minako Yoshida's "Minako Yoshida Best" by Alfa RecordsAlfa Records, originally Alfa Music, was established in 1969 by composer and record producer Kunihiko Murai. It was formed into an independent record label known as Alfa Records in 1977.- History :The company faced much hardship in the 1990s...
. - Created CD cover art for Bob BeldenBob BeldenJames Robert Belden is an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, bandleader and producer. He is noted for his Grammy Award winning jazz orchestral recording titled The Black Dahlia. He is also a past head of A & R for Blue Note Records.Belden was born in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in...
's "Prince Jazz" by Toshiba-EMIToshiba-EMI(formerly , is one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI Group Ltd. in June 30, 2007 after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. The current CEO and president is San-e Ichii. When EMI Music Japan was trading as Toshiba-EMI, it was...
. - 1995: Created a product catalogue for an apparel company, Gramicci.
- Was invited to a Sprint's (currently Sprint NextelSprint NextelSprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
) special event, "American Dream", and was a guest speaker of the event. - Created CD cover art for Rue Davis's "You Are My Honey Poo"
- Created CD cover art for Southside Players's "Player's Game" by Kon Kord Records (KK-9991).
- 1996: Created package art for a computer hardware company, QPS's (canara technology, inc) CD-Drive product.
- Directed a localization/design team of Warner Entertainment Japan for creating Japanese version of DVD "Eraser (movie)" starring Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
- Created CD cover art for Rusty Jackson's "Those Daisy Dukes"
- Had an exhibition in GinzaGinzais a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
, TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. - His painting was used in a Japanese TV drama, "わからない(「ない!」～鎌田敏夫原作・3つの恋の物語～)", as a part of the story (not just as a set decoration).
- Was featured in a monthly L.A. local magazine, "VOGA", in 3-page.
- 1997: Had an exhibition at Park Hotel in HokkaidōHokkaido, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan. - Created mural (70 meters long) for L.A. Racing Pole Position (an amusement park in Japan) and also created logo and poster for it.
- Created logo for a boxing gym opened by a former World Boxing AssociationWorld Boxing AssociationThe World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Light flyweightFlyweightFlyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
champion, Katsuo TokashikiKatsuo TokashikiKatsuo Tokashiki is an Okinawan former WBA Light flyweight champion. He currently works as an actor and television persona, and runs own boxing gym in Tokyo, Japan.- Childhood & Early Career :...
(Tokashiki Boxing Gym). - Nissin Steel (日新製鉄) (one of the biggest steel companies in Japan) introduced printable steel, and they used his paintings as model art.
- Created CD cover art for Bishop Larry Hudson's "A Tribute To Reverend James ClevelandJames ClevelandThe Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
". - Created CD cover art for Valerie's "Where Is The Love".
- Created CD cover art for Gregg Bacon's "Secret Place".
- 1998: Was featured in a documentary TV program, "Human Gallery" (KDOCKDOC-TVKDOC-TV is an independent television station based in Orange County, California . The station's transmitter is located on Mount Wilson, California...
-18/UTB). This program introduce a successful/influential person in Los Angeles. - Created CD-ROM cover art for a multimedia storybook, "Don Quixote" published by TDC Interactive.
- Was interviewed in a biweekly L.A. local magazine, "Lighthouse".
- Was interviewed & featured in a monthly L.A. local magazine, "VOGA".
- Created cover art for a magazine, "Midnight Graffiti".
- 1999: Received an honor letter from Bill ClintonBill ClintonWilliam Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, the President of the United States at the time, for many outstanding contributions to the music industry. - Created cover art for a book 'Machigaidarake no Ashibumi Kenkouhou' published by Fukushodo, Japan
- 2000: The first limited editions (giclee prints) in the US were published by Coast to Coast publishing Inc.
- Was introduced in numerous US art magazines, such as Art Business News, Art World News, Décor, and Art Trend.
- Was introduced in music magazines such as BRE, in the basement (EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
), Voice (England), and Soul Express (FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
) as a CD cover artist and creative director. - Created cover art for a book 'Teppou Kiku Ichidaiki' published by Fukushodo, Japan
- Created cover art for a book 'Kafunshou Kakumei' published by Fukushodo, Japan
- Created cover art for a book 'Ijigen Energy no Keifu' published by Fukushodo, Japan
- Created cover art for a book 'Kakutou Body no Tsukurikata' published by Fukushodo, Japan.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Serenade’s “The Serenade Experience” released by Kon Kord Records .
- 2001: Directed and designed a CD cover art for Queen Isabella’s “Loving a Married Man” released by Kon Kord Records.
- His paintings were introduced in a TV program, "Sound EX" (WOWOWWOWOWWOWOW was the first private satellite broadcasting and pay TV station in Japan. It has its headquarters on the 21st floor of the Akasaka Park Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo...
), for 2-month. - 2002: Created cover art for a book 'Kyousha Jyakusha ha Fukurahagi de Kimaru' published by Fukushodo, Japan
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Finis Tasby’s “BLUES - A Tribute to John Lee Hooker” released by Kon Kord Records .
- 2003: Directed and designed a CD cover art for Bobby Warren's “Make Me Yours” released by Kon Kord Records.
- Created CD cover art for Rue Davis's "Heaven Must Have Sent Me Your Love" released by Kon Kord Records.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Patti Sterling's “Bettin' On You” released by Kon Kord Records.
- Created CD cover art for Superior Band's "No House, No Home Without My Man" released by Kon Kord Records.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for M. Spivey's “Booty Club” released by Kon Kord Records.
- 2004: Created cover art for a magazine, FEALY, published by Fukushodo, Japan, and also was featured in the magazine in all 13 color-page as one of the most influential artists today.
- 2005: Had an exhibition at "T's" in ShibuyaShibuya, Tokyois one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
, TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan and displayed more than 40 pieces of his limited editions. - Was featured in a weekly magazine, "Shyukan Asahi", in all 7 color-page.
- His painting was used in a Japanese TV drama series, "愛と友情のブギウギ", aired on NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
. - Directed and designed a CD cover art for Bobby Warren's “I Slipped Up” released by Kon Kord Records.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Michael Brown's “Can U Feel Me” released by Kon Kord Records.
- 2006: Directed and designed a CD cover art for Bobby Warren’s “Pioneers & Legends”.
- Was featured in a monthly magazine, "Wing Sapporo", in 2 color-page for 2 months.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for The Carter Brothers’ “Singing The Blues”.
- His paintings were introduced at the exhibition in Dairen, China; it was a Japanese art collector’s exhibition.
- 2007: Directed and designed a CD cover art for The Patterson Twins’ “Take Us Higher”.
- Was featured in a magazine, “Insight”, in 3 color –page.
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Harold Cagler's "Shadows Are Blue".
- 2008: Directed and designed a CD cover art for Rusty Jackson's "It Must Be Love".
- Directed and designed a CD cover art for Crystal cooley & the stars of faith's "Come see about me".
- Had exhibitions in Encino and Tarzana, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. - 2009: Had an exhibition in Sherman Oaks, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. - 2011: Fine Art Book and Poem "Camouflage" was published by Fukushodo Publications.