Items Similar to Mid Century Alaskan Winter Aleutian Islands Landscape
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
Chikara "Don" OkaMid Century Alaskan Winter Aleutian Islands Landscape1944
1944
About the Item
Gorgeous watercolor landscape of Alaska's Aleutian Islands by Chikara "Don" Oka (American, 1920-2015). Signed and dated "Don '44" lower right. Notation on verso, Don C. Oka for Don Chikara Oka. Unframed. Presented in mat. Image 14"L x 21"W.
During World War II, Oka painted beautiful watercolors of the Alaskan wilderness. In the 1920s, his parents operated a migrant labor hotel in Castroville, a farm town in central California.
Chikara Oka "Don" was born on January 5, 1920, in Watsonville, California. He was the third of seven sons born to Shutaro Oka and Ariyo Itano. His older brothers were Isao, Masao; his younger brothers, Takeo, Teiji, Terumasa (Ted) and Hidekazu (Danny). From the age of five to seventeen, he lived in Japan, living with an aunt until 1932, then with his father who returned to Japan after Ariyo's death. Wanting to become a successful farmer, Chikara remained in Japan until 1937 to attend Takamatsu Agricultural High School. Upon graduation, he returned at the age of seventeen to the United States, traveling alone from Kobe to Castroville, California, where he began seasonal work harvesting lettuce and cutting grass for $0.35 an hour. Back then, 35 cents was enought to pay for a movie and a hamburger.
Despite being older, Don attended 8th grade at the local grammar school to learn English, studying through breaks, lunch and even after school. During winter, he traveled down to Los Angeles with Masao, attending Belmont High School during the week and working at a produce market on weekends. At the suggestion of one of his teachers, who felt he had an artistic sense, Don applied to and was accepted to the Otis Art Institute where he began his art studies in 1941. Three months later, on December 7, 1941, the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial forces took place. On February 16, 1942, Don enlisted in the United States Army at the Presidio. After infantry training at Camp Robinson in Arkansas, he was assigned duty at Camp Crowder, Missouri and then Camp Carson, Colorado. While in Colorado, Don interviewed and tested for a position with the Military Intelligence Service, resulting in a move to Camp Savage, Minnesota, to attend MIS language school and training. The MIS soldiers served with every major unit and headqurters in the Army, Navy and Air Force, ciphering codes and cryptographs and serving as interpreters and translators in interrogation of enemy prisoners. Don himself served tours of duty in the Joint Intelligence Center – Pacific Ocean Area (aka JICPOA), the Aleutians Islands, the South Pacific, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He always said he made US history by being the puniest gunnery sargeant ever at 5'7" and 117 pounds, soaking wet! Despite his modesty, the work performed by the MIS was credited with reducing the Allied war casualties and shortening the war by two years, an honorable service.
Don was a quiet, peaceful man who disliked the war and was devasted by the loss of his brothers, Takeo and Teiji who served on the side of Japan. However, when he was called to duty, he willingly served his country to the best of his ability. After his discharge in 1945, he had to have five ribs removed and spent the next seven years rehabilitating from service-related tuberculosis in Arizona. During those years, he drew upon his artistic talent to occupy his time, drawing cartoons depicting his daily life. In 1952, he won the Cartoon Contest for Hospitalized Veterans, sponsored by the National Cartoonist Society. Not well enough to travel, he was unable to attend the awards ceremony in New York, so he was sent a special award consisting of a collection of famous cartoon characters, including "Nancy", "Popeye", "Snuffy" and "Steve Canyon" drawn and autographed by the famous cartoonists of the time. Grampa treasured the framed award, especially the drawing of Steve Canyon by artist Milton Caniff. There was not a moment in his life that he did not proudly display it. After his discharge from the hospital, Don returned to LosAngeles, where he attended Chouinard Art Institute on the GI Bill and subsequently went to work as a graphic designer.
In 1960, he married Wakako Susa, the love of his life who would be his campanion for the next 46 years. By marrying Wakako, he also gained a step-daughter, Yukiko, a son, Isao and grandaughter, Michi. His second granddaughter, Naomi, came along the folowing year. In 1966, he started his own successful design studio on the corner of Hollywood and La Brea Boulevard, sharing office space with his good friends, Jack and Harry Harrington, where he designed poster, logos, flyers and other advertising and promotional materials for the next 32 years. He loved his work and the many friends he made in the arts and advertising fields over the years. In addition to his work, he enjoyed going to the race track regularly with Wakako, sometimes taking his two granddaughters. He enjoyed it so much that he became the proud owner of a number of race horses over the years. After he reitred from the graphic design business, the races were an almost daily activity.
- Creator:Chikara "Don" Oka (1920 - 2015)
- Creation Year:1944
- Dimensions:Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Soquel, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1986
1stDibs seller since 2014
2,529 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Soquel, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Tree-Filled Valley and Mountains in West Brighton Staten Island Watercolor 1905Located in Soquel, CATree-Filled Valley and Mountains in West Brighton Staten Island Watercolor 1905 Detailed watercolor by W. Lund (19th Century). This piece depicts a valley with lush trees an greener...Category
Early 1900s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- Lakeside Cabin - Pastel and Watercolor on PaperLocated in Soquel, CALakeside Cabin - Pastel and Watercolor on Paper Watercolor and pastel painting depicting two wood cabins along the lakeside. Vibrant green trees surround the cabins, with hues of bl...Category
1980s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor, Pastel, Paper
- A Governor’s Mansion - Countryside Couple - Original Watercolor on Paper 1860sLocated in Soquel, CAA Governor’s Mansion - Countryside Couple - Original Watercolor on Paper 1860s Governor’s Mansion during the Civil Water. A watercolor painting depicting horse carriages and disting...Category
1860s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- Mid Century Mexico Cathedral Watercolor LandscapeBy Eugenia Frances Baker McComasLocated in Soquel, CAVibrant Mexico Cathedral by Eugenia Francis Baker McComas (American, 1886-1982). Presented in a wooden frame. Shipped without glass. Signed "Gene Frances" lower left. Image size, 15"H x 19"W. Eugenia Frances Baker McComas was born in San Francisco, California on September 6, 1886. She came from a family of journalists where her father Joseph Eugene Baker was the editor of the Alta Californian, now San Francisco Examiner, and her mother was a theater critic for The Oakland Tribune. Eugenia also known as “Gene” worked as a journalist for The Oakland Tribune for a period of time. She also studied at the California School of Arts and Crafts under artist Xavier Martinez. She met artist Francis McComas...Category
1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- Davenport, California SeascapeBy Edward PennimanLocated in Soquel, CAGorgeous large scale watercolor seascape of an ocean view in Davenport, California by Edward Penniman (American, b. 1942). Signed and dated "Edward G. Penniman 1991" and titled "Dave...Category
1990s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor, Laid Paper
- Mid Century Yosemite Landscape -- Young Lake Below Ragged PeakBy Anna BallarianLocated in Soquel, CAWonderful landscape of Ragged Peak and Lower Young Lake in Yosemite National Park by Anna Ballarian (American, 1911-2010). Signed "Anna Ballarian" lower right. Unframed. Image size, ...Category
1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
You May Also Like
- "Park Street Church, Boston, " John Whorf Impressionist Watercolor WPA CityscapeBy John WhorfLocated in New York, NYJohn Whorf (1903 - 1959) Park Street Church, Boston, circa 1930-45 Watercolor on paper 21 x 15 inches Signed lower right Housed in its original frame Provenance: Milch Gallery, New ...Category
1930s American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- Mount MonadnockBy Frank Weston BensonLocated in Milford, NHAn exceptional watercolor of Mount Monadnock snow capped in winter in New Hampshire by American artist Frank Weston Benson (1862-1951). Benson was born in Salem, Massachusetts and went on to study in Boston at the Museum School of Fine Arts and later with Julian Lefebvre and Gustave Boulanger at the Academie Julian in Paris. Benson was well known for his impressionist landscapes and seascapes, and etchings of hunting scenes. Watercolor on paper, signed lower left F.W. Benson with inscription “To Mrs Bush,” titled on Vose Galleries...Category
Early 20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Waterco...
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- Mount MonadnockBy Gifford BealLocated in Milford, NHA fine monochromatic watercolor landscape painting of Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire by American artist Gifford Beal (1879-1956). Beal was born in New York City and studied for man...Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- Homestead, Regional American Landscape by Pennsylvania ImpressionistBy Harry Leith-RossLocated in Doylestown, PA"Homestead" is a regional, American landscape by Pennsylvania Impressionist and New Hope School painter Harry Leith-Ross. The painting is a 14" x 19" watercolor on paper, signed "Lei...Category
1940s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor, Archival Paper
- "River Landscape" Julian Alden Weir, American Impressionist, Connecticut SceneBy Julian Alden WeirLocated in New York, NYJulian Alden Weir River Landscape Signed lower left Watercolor on paper 9 x 11 1/2 inches Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York Sotheby's Parke Bernet, New York, 1965, Lot 27 E....Category
Late 19th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- Southern LandscapeLocated in Milford, NHA fine gouache painting of a Southern landscape by American artist Beatrice Lavis Cuming (1903-1975). Cuming was born in Brooklyn, NY, studied lo...Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Gouache
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Midcentury Pearls
Midcentury Horse
Midcentury Poster
Mid Century Friends
Vintage Winter Image
Vintage Winter Images
Travel Poster Mid Century
South American Travel Poster
English Island
Pacific Islands
American Vintage Logos
Imperial American
Missouri Landscape
Mid Century Winter Landscape
Winter Horse
Treasure Island
Landscape Posters Of California
Alaska Landscapes