CULTURE
San was born in Tokyo in 1940 , the second son of a wealthy and conservative banker and his cultured , artistic wife . He graduated from the University of Tokyo in Economics , but soon decided he was not cut out to be a banker . “ I was going to be an artist ,” he recalls . “ I didn ’ t like the bank and they didn ’ t like me .” But he was a natural salesman and quickly became one of the bank ’ s top performers . As a reward for his work , he was sent to Expo ’ 67 in Montréal , where he fell in love with the excitement and energy of the counter-culture movement sweeping North America .
He moved to Toronto that same year , switching gears completely by becoming a tennis pro at the prestigious Donalda Club . Following his artistic instincts , he then became a graphic designer for local television station CFTO- TV and later started his own design company , In the Sunrise . He went on to become a creative director for many of the city ’ s independent stations and networks . It was a fast-paced life that was interrupted at age 46 , when San suffered a heart attack .
“ Everything was wrong ,” he says of the time . “ My doctor told me I would die — so , for one year , I did nothing . That ’ s when I started painting .” He struggled to find his own style , distinct from his commercial training . On a vacation in Jamaica , the colourful street scenes were the perfect inspiration for his folk-art style and rich palette . “ It came to me immediately ,” he recalls . “ It was all I could do , as a self-taught painter .” After a successful exhibition at Jamaica ’ s Trident Hotel , he returned to Canada , intent on pursuing the life of a full-time artist .
But such a life is risky from a financial perspective , so San rejoined the world of commercial art , his life and lifestyle taking off once again . He became an award-winning illustrator , designing books , posters and magazine covers , while also launching a career as a musician . This latter pursuit began when he auditioned at the popular Toronto arts hangout , Prego Restaurant , by playing the only song he knew , Fats Waller ’ s Ain ’ t Misbehavin ’.
“ I wasn ’ t a very good player ,” San admits , “ but people didn ’ t notice because I gave it over to the other musicians whenever I could . The musicians knew I wasn ’ t good , but I had feeling . That ’ s where the art comes in . I had no technique , but always good heart coming through — that is art .” For San , that is the secret to his success : The audition led to a regular weekend gig for 14 years , playing with many of the city ’ s best jazz musicians .
He finally left commercial illustration behind 25 years ago when he moved to Port Hope , Ontario , and built a studio in his new home . One day , he spilled coffee on a painting and the colours bled freely , a happy accident that showed him the way to his signature style . From that point on , he began soaking the paper before applying gouache paint , blurring the outlines and blending the colours into misty landscapes dotted with vivid trees , houses , animals and people enjoying life ’ s simple pleasures .
At age 80 , San still plays regular music gigs at restaurants and professional venues . Last September , he performed at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto , sharing the stage with internationally acclaimed violinist Moshe Hammer . It was a highlight of his career . He also still paints — every single day .
“ Why paint every day ?” San muses aloud . “ Because in life you have to ask yourself : What do you want to do ? What excites you ? What inspires your imagination ? The artist ’ s life is about what you value . That ’ s what I ’ m living for . I sell what I need to sell and I don ’ t buy anything — just paint . So I am happy .” six star magazine 37