Sousei Tokinaga first encountered canvas and acrylic paint in an art class at the age of seven, and painting at home soon became a source of joy for him. Working directly with his hands, he mixes, spreads, wipes, and scratches the paint across the surface with his fingertips. With his small body standing before a large canvas, Tokinaga works his compositions up through repeated layers of paint. The dynamic materiality that emerges on the surface is a direct result of his physical gestures. During the process, he often begins painting on items around him—chairs and even his clothes—giving rise to what might be called “creative by-products,” and pointing to the family motto: “Paint is not dirt.” He loves seeing people smile; when he notices someone who seems sad, he gently approaches them with a smile, leaning in to offer comfort and encouragement. The warmth and kindness he possesses are quietly reflected in his work.