About Noriko Tanigawa
Where colored pencils, soul work, and storytelling intertwine.
Hi, I’m Noriko—artist, teacher, and lifelong learner with a colored pencil in one hand and curiosity in the other.
Though I began sketching as a teenager, it wasn’t until 2012 that I returned to art with intention and heart. What started as a self-taught journey quickly grew into a lifelong commitment to mastering colored pencil art. I drew everything—people, pets, architecture, the small still moments of life—teaching myself one line at a time. More than a decade later, I’m still in awe of what this humble medium can do.
In 2015, I began teaching at McKinney Art House, and in 2017, I opened my own studio in historic downtown McKinney, Texas. Whether online or in person, I continue to teach students of all skill levels how to express themselves through art. My mission is simple: to help you see the beauty in your own creativity and learn to bring it to life with joy and confidence.
But my creative journey hasn’t only unfolded on paper—it’s also led inward.
Since 2018, I’ve been a devoted meditation practitioner. What began as a personal healing journey blossomed into something bigger, eventually inspiring me to create a guided meditation podcast called Whispers of the Heart. While this website focuses on my visual art, I believe our inner world and outer expression are deeply connected. My meditations reflect the same energy I bring to my drawings: gentle presence, meaningful storytelling, and a belief in our power to transform.
Thank you for being here. Whether you came for the art, the guidance, or just to explore, I’m so glad our paths crossed.
With Love,
Noriko Tanigawa


Want to stay close to the heart of my work?
I share reflections, resources, and a bit of creative magic over on Ko-fi.
And if you’re curious about my other voice—the meditative one—you’ll find it in Whispers of the Heart and my other podcasts on Spotify or Apple, whichever feels more like home.

Why Art?
I believe we are all born to create—and I chose to create through art.
When I draw, I feel like I’m sculpting on a two-dimensional surface, chiseling fine details one pencil stroke at a time. I try to bring the subject to life not just visually, but sensorially—infusing each piece with the texture of touch, the memory of scent, the echo of sound, and the emotion behind the moment.
Art connects me to the beauty of the world and helps me appreciate life’s quiet magic.
Why Teach?
Drawing is a skill—anyone can learn it.
What you choose to do with that skill? That’s your art.
My role is to hold space for students to express themselves fully, while offering guidance in a creative, supportive, and inspiring environment. Teaching is an incredible privilege. I learn just as much from my students as they do from me. They make me a better artist, teacher, and human being.

Selected Achievements
Awards & Recognition
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Creative Quarterly Journal No. 48 International Competition, Winner in Fine Art: Professional (2017)
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Colored Pencil Society of America Explore This! 13, Chartpak Inc. Award for Distinction (2017)
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Southwest Art Magazine 2016 Artistic Excellence Competition, Top 100 Runners Up (2016)
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The 31st Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, 2nd Place in Drawing Category (2016)
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Visual Art Society of Texas (VAST) 9th Annual 125-mile Visual Arts Exhibition, 1st Place in Category III (mixed media, collage, drawing) Jervis and Carmen Underwood Award (2015)
Selected Exhibitions
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Schön Everywhere Pop-up Gallery, Laboe, Germany & McKinney, TX (2018)
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International Guild of Realism, Winfield Gallery, CA (2017)
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Colored Pencil Society of America 24th International Exhibition (2016)
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Richeson 75 International Art Competitions: Small Works 2016, Richeson School of Art and Gallery, Kimberly, WI
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Artscape 2017, Dallas Arboretum, Dallas, TX
Publications
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CP Treasures 5: Colored Pencil Masterworks from Around the Globe, ed. Ann Kullberg (Federal Way: Ann Kullberg, 2017)
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Strokes of Genius 9: The Best of Drawing, Creative Discoveries, ed. Rachel Rubin Wolf (Blue Ash: F+W Media, 2017)
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MANIFEST International Drawing Annual 11, MANIFEST Press (Cincinnati: MANIFEST Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, 2017)
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DRAW Portraits in Colored Pencil, ed. Ann Kullberg (Federal Way: Ann Kullberg, 2016)
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Colored Pencil Magazine. Platte Productions Publishing. Web. Feb. 2015.