I help you explore creativity through watercolor, sketching, and nature's own brushstrokes.

In this blog, I’m taking you along. Nature’s sublime shapes & colors guide each step in my art tutorials.

I lived in Japan for many years, a place that opened up a whole new world of creative exploration. I hope the play with color and form in my tutorials will open new doors for you, too.

You can get free outline drawings for many of the tutorials.

Thank you for visiting!

I love hiking as much as drawing, painting, and designing.

"...brilliant illustrations".
Louise Hay, international bestselling author

"Just looking at her wonderful illustrations makes my heart sing".
Denise Linn, international bestselling author

Gallery of published illustrations and decorative designs.

My Story

I’m a global nomad who has lived in many countries and crisscrossed the globe. Besides Japan, I have also lived in New Zealand, Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico.

When I was young, I wanted to change the world and became a yogic nun. Back then I founded a children’s home and pre-schools in slums and remote villages.

Later on, I started a family and completed a design degree. Ever since, it has been a life filled with creative work and a continued spiritual journey.

My Background

I have been a creative professional since 1998. My work includes illustration, pattern design, and graphic design.

Before moving to Japan, my design company Okada Design AS specialized in illustration, web- and graphic design. Previously, I worked as an in-house graphic designer. 

"Cecilie has created a number of successful projects, and shows a highly professional understanding. I can thoroughly recommend her."
Nina Norman Ferguson, Managing Editor, Cappelen Damm Publishers (Norway)
"We are really satisfied. I would absolutely recommend Cecilie Okada"
Trine Varøystrand, Head Designer, Høie of Scandinavia (Norway)

Some highlights:

  • Patterns and decorative designs licensed to nationwide department stores and brands in Japan with Cecilie O. branding
  • Illustrating 28 books, art calendars, and wisdom cards for publishers in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and New Zealand
  • Exhibiting at the Design Museum of Barcelona (DHUB) in Spain
  • Graphic design for companies big and small and everything in between

Some of my clents

AEON, Japan. Asia's largest retailer. Pattern design for product line of 9 types of bags, two umbrellas and set with apron and potholders. Cecilie O branding.

Aqua Yokohama, Japan. Nationwide gift shop retailer. Range of products with decorative illustrations. Cecilie O branding.

Arco Design/ Arco Store, Japan. Importer of Scandinavian gift and furnishing brands. Porcelain design as part of assortment by Scandinavian Pattern Collection. Fabric and stationary. Cecilie O branding.

Nakajima Corporation, Japan. Plush toy and retailing company, primary Sanrio/ Hello Kitty partner. Illustration and pattern design for the popular character Pickles the Frog; various products. Cecilie O branding.

Chi Mei Museum, Taiwan. Asia’s largest collection of Western Art. Pattern design for gift shop items.

i879.com/ Sumito Corporation, Japan. Online flower shop. Card designs. Cecilie O branding.

Høie of Scandinavia, Norway. Household name in Norway since 1850. Pattern design for bed linens and blankets.

Cappelen Damm, Norway’s biggest publisher, since 1829. Illustration for several books, art calendars, art prints and greeting cards. Graphic design.

Aschehoug, Norway. Major publisher in Norway, since 1872. Illustration for book series.

Forma Books, Sweden. Publishing conglomerate. Art calendar, art prints.

Oslo Universitetssykehus, Norway. Joint project between Scandinavia's largest hospital and the Norwegian Ministry of Health. Illustration and design for brochures.

Gilde, Norway. Major Norwegian food brand. Illustration and design, packaging.

Aktiv Trening, Norway. Fitness centre chain. Web design.

Windpferd Verlag, Germany. Book Publisher. Illustration and design for book with wisdom cards.

AGM Müller, Switzerland. Publisher. Illustration and design for book with wisdom cards.

Findhorn Press, UK. Publisher. Illustration and design for set with wisdom cards.

Nordian, Norway. International air traffic pilot training. Cover and book design of 15 books, technical illustration, project management, logo. Design still in use since 2003 and several new editions with yearly updates.