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Published on 11/13/1995 All articles from this issue

Watercolor artist appearance opens ZYT Galerie exhibition

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Manuabu Saito's exhibition opens Thursday at ZYT Galerie in Los Altos with a champagne reception for the artist from 6-9 p.m.

Saito, born in Japan, became interested in snakes, lizards, frogs and nature at an early age. By the age of seven, he also knew that he wanted to be an artist, which prompted him to win a signficant honor - an "all-Japan award in painting."

After completing a year of studies at Rikkyo University, Manabu Saito came to America to study Industrial Design at Pratt as a comprise to his family. While at Pratt, he earned recognition and scholarship from General Motors and the Institute. Upon graduating, he received numerous industrial design commissions in New York, London and Tokyo. In the 1960s, Saito became a "fine artist," turning a hobby and love of nature into a career.

Today the artist, known for his large dynamic flower portraits continues his botanical commissions for Audubon, Horticulture and National Geographic; illustrations for field guide books, children's books and most recently, Franklin Mint commissions. Saito travels, seeking rare and endangered plants as subjects for his watervolor paintings. He also enjoys the beauty of hybrid plants found in gardens and native regional specimens.

An avid gardener and naturalist, the artist lives in New Jersey in a marshy area with a small formal garden. His exhibition at ZYT Galerie includes rare and exotic plants as awell as roses, tulips, irises, hibiscus and orchids. Saito, the finest botanical artist in the world, will be painting from noon to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday at ZYT Galerie, 923 N. San Antonio Road. In addition, the artist will discuss his work and meet the public Friday and Saturday evening from 6-9 p.m.