Layered Tokyo: The Ink & Watercolor Art of Erica Ward

For more than a decade, Californian-born artist Erica Ward has called Tokyo home, and her intricate ink and watercolor works read like a love letter to the city. Inspired by art nouveau and ukiyo-e, she combines architecture, nature and human figures to transform Tokyo’s iconic landmarks into richly layered compositions that feel familiar and surreal at the same time.

In Erica’s world, skyscrapers, train lines and cherry blossoms weave seamlessly into portraits, kimono patterns and imagined landscapes. A goldfish carries a skyline across its back, a woman’s flowing hair transforms into streets and rooftops, and sparrows perch on tiny ramen shops and book stores. Each piece is a beautiful visual puzzle, inviting us to linger and discover details that echo the pulse of Tokyo’s harmonious chaos.

You can explore more of Erica Ward’s work on her website or Instagram.

More art on the grid via Spoon & Tamago