Biography

Mika Furuya, illustrator and founder of Atelier Mika LLC, is a visual storyteller whose work blends culture, emotion, and meaningful connection. With nearly twenty years of experience, her career began in fashion illustration and has since expanded to international galleries, magazines, and award-winning exhibitions in Europe.

New York Story ~soho~ 2025, mix media on paper, 40cmx50cm

Her work has been featured by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, supporting cultural exchange between Japan and the United States. Today, Mika collaborates with clients in the hospitality and creative industries, including Michelin-starred restaurants, providing illustration, branding, and creative direction that celebrate identity, storytelling, and cross-cultural expression.

Residence, 2025. Mix media on paper, 30cmx35cm

Artist Statement

Mika Furuya is an illustrator whose practice centers on visual storytelling informed by culture, memory, and emotional resonance. Born in Tokyo and based in New York, her work reflects an ongoing dialogue between her Japanese roots and contemporary urban life, exploring themes of identity, connection, and quiet observation.

Tribeca, 2024. mix media on paper, 20cmx25cm

Her artistic career began in fashion illustration, where she developed a sensitivity to form, gesture, and movement. This foundation continues to inform her illustrative language, which has since expanded into a broader narrative practice. Through refined line work and subtle compositional balance, Furuya creates images that evoke atmosphere and invite contemplation rather than immediate resolution.

Tribeca restaurant muku, 2025. mix media on paper, 20cmx25cm

Furuya’s work has been exhibited internationally, including in award-winning exhibitions in Europe, and has appeared in various publications. Her illustrations have also been featured by the Consulate General of Japan in New York as part of initiatives supporting cultural exchange between Japan and the United States.

New York Story ~west village~, 2023, mix media on paper

At the core of her practice is an interest in illustration as a contemplative medium—one capable of bridging cultures and conveying emotional depth through restraint. By emphasizing nuance and intimacy, Furuya’s work seeks to create space for reflection and cross-cultural understanding.

Website: https://www.mikafuruya.com
Instagram: @mika_illustrationatelier