Mayuko Shono is originally from Tokyo, Japan and moved to the United States alone when she was 16 years old as an exchange student in 2009.

       Art was always part of her life since she was little. Therefore, she decided to take several different art classes in high school in Utah during her first year in the U.S. and discovered her new art abilities and passion for Art. Fortunately, God blessed her with one of the best awards at the State level with her sculpture "Turkey man."

        Not only her passion for Art, but also Art has always helped her to make friends and communicate since English is her second language. She continued to take more art classes in Oregon. She was into Realism with pencil drawing during this time. One of her favorite drawings "John Lennon" was drawn this year.   Thankfully, She received "Best Artist of the Year" as she graduated.

        After graduating from high school, she stayed in Oregon and went to Portland Community College for 2 years. During these years, she tried taking Painting class for the first time in her life. She immideatly fell in love with this medium and discovered her real hidden talent. One of her favorite paintings "Sidestream Smoking" was painted during this time. Surprisingly, this painting "Side-steam Smoking" was selected as Best Art of the year at Portland Community College in 2012. 

        She made a decision to transfer to Central Christian College of Kansas in 2013. This was a completely unexpected move. She always wanted to go to a BIG Art University; however, her close friend introduced her to this school and found out two things there is an amazing art professor and she could play college volleyball. She strongly felt that God was calling her to this place, therefore, she quickly made a decision and took a risk for a new adventure.

        She would say, Central Christian College is the place where God really grew her art skills and also her relationship with Him. Her art talent has opened unbelievably during this time. Naomi Ullum is her art professor and mentor, who has taught her not only painting skills but also the deeper side of art such as color theory, composition, design, technique and logic, which has tremendously improved her art skills. Although, she was not planning to graduate from this school, she ended up staying here for 4 years and graduated with Bachelors Degree with Liberal Studies in Art & Psychology. God provided her so many valuable opportunities as an artist, supported by Mrs. Ullum. She was asked to design and paint a mural for the Briner Library at Central Christian College in 2015. Then the next year, she was asked to be a part of painting a whole life size Nativity Set for Christmas at CCC. These experiences increased her speed and quality. She was able to do her own art exhibition in the last year and it was a great success. Finally, she was selected as Central Christian College Artist of the Year in 2016 as she finished her art degree.

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       She has also discovered her real purpose of creating Art during these time.

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"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:10

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"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." -1 Peter 4:10

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