Bartosz Beda and Nishiki Sugawara met opening night at an exposition at Centrespace Gallery in Bristol , England . Nishiki asked the curator if any of the other artists arrived early , as she did , and was pointed toward Bartosz . They talked most of the night , gravitating back to each other after brief stints of conversation elsewhere . Those in attendance understood before they realized themselves , love sparked that night .
A strong friendship formed and Skype became their method of communication . Nishiki , having already completed her MFA at Indiana University , had worked as an assistant professor at the University of Toledo and at the University of North Dakota . Their online conversations began as she discussed his art , then their talks turned personal .
Their individual lives were demanding . Bartosz , a Towry Award winner for the Best of the North of England , completed an MFA at the Manchester Metropolitan University , won a scholarship to Dresden Academy of Arts , and took part in numerous exhibits . Nishiki was busy seeking a more permanent teaching position with a university and interviewed at several locations . Overwhelmed with opportunities and decisions that would shape their future , they still found time for each other via the Internet .
A break in schedules allowed Nishiki her first vacation in years . She decided to visit her friends in Europe . Bartosz was the first stop . Her flight was too early for transportation from his home , so Bartosz slept a night in his studio . He was right there to greet Nishiki to the UK , and an intended day together turned into a four-day road trip . He also rejoined her for the last days of her journey .
Nishiki accepted a position as assistant professor with the University of Idaho . Two months after their European holiday , Bartosz flew out to visit Nishiki in the Inland Northwest and , they joke , he “ never left .” Together they have made a life and family in Moscow , Idaho . “ I can send artwork from anywhere ,” he says . The Internet has made it possible for artists to live their dreams from any corner of the world they hang their hat .
ARTIST NISHIKI SUGAWARA-BEDA
Born and raised in Japan , Nishiki Sugawara-Beda immigrated to the US as a young adult . She creates art works that deal with the examination of various cultures . Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions as well as numerous group shows , at national and international level . She has been shortlisted for various art competitions , including the Door Prize ( Bristol , England ), Paint Like You Mean It ( Edinburgh , Scotland ), ArtGemini Prize ( London , England ), and 7th National Juried Exhibition at Prince Street Gallery ( New York ). Her work has been published in the 87th issue of New American Paintings , Fresh Paint Magazine , and Expose Art Magazine : Special Edition . She graduated from Portland State University with a BA , and earned her MFA in Painting at Indiana University . She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho , USA .
ARTIST BARTOSZ BEDA
Born in Poland in 1984 , Bartosz Beda relocated to the UK in 2008 . After graduating with a MA in Fine Art in 2011 , he was selected for the 2012 Catlin Art Guide as one of the most promising emerging artists in the UK . In 2012 , Beda was short-listed for Saatchi New Sensations , and won the esteemed Towry Award for the Best of North of England as well as a six-month scholarship to Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden , Germany . Beda had solo exhibitions at Galleria Liebre , Spain ( 2013 ), BAC Gallery , Colombia ( 2015 ), Jackson-Teed , England ( 2016 ), and received a fellowship from Fondazione per l ’ Arte in Rome , Italy in 2016 .
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