Okagesama de: I Am What I Am Because of You by Jake Shimabukuro

Acrylic on canvas49" h x 45" w "This painting will always be special to me because it was my first - my “rookie card” so to speak," shares Jake Shimabukuro. "Inspired heavily by Kristie Fujiyama Kosmides’ work through Abstract Collab, I titled this one, Okagesama De, a Japanese phrase meaning, “I am what I am because of you.” Kosmides’ abstract style of painting in multiple layers sparked the metaphor of the generations of people that came before us, and made sacrifices so that we could have a better life. This piece is about expressing gratitude for those who came before and recognizing that they are “Okagesama De.”"