Welcome to a new instalment of our series “Inspired by Beatrix”. This month we are delighted to bring you Japanese artist Yuuco of Yuuco Mimosa Studio.
Yuuco is currently based in the United Kingdom, and she has studied art and children’s book creation in both Tokyo and London. As an artist inspired by British culture, its countryside and native wildlife, Yuuco hopes that her artwork invites a gentle sense of curiosity that encourages both children and adults to feel more connected to the natural world.
Yuuco draws inspiration from the British countryside, just like Beatrix Potter did find her own creative spark in the fields and wildlife around her. It is this connection that made us eager to learn more about Yucco’s artform and artistic journey.
“I’m a watercolour artist from Japan. I enjoy painting animals, landscapes and cosy little moments in life. I have created a children’s book “Toffy’s Souvenir” in English and Japanese. The story follows a rabbit Toffy’s first journey, and the special souvenir she brings back home with her. I have also created illustrated items such as Christmas cards and colouring pages. I have been deeply inspired by Beatrix Potter, and in 2024 I moved to the UK to explore a new way of life and to pursue my artistic passion. I love learning more about her through events, and by visiting museums and places connected to her life and art.”
It is wonderful for us to hear about Yuuco’s longstanding affection for the works of Beatrix Potter and how they gently guided her to a new life of wonder and discovery in the United Kingdom. Building on this, we were keen to know how she first came to learn about Beatrix and her stories.
How did you first discover Beatrix Potter’s work?
“I was familiar with Peter Rabbit, as the character is very popular in Japan, but it was only when I began to take art seriously that I truly discovered and came to appreciate Beatrix Potter’s work. I have a personal connection with rabbits. When I was younger, my family kept a rabbit who felt like a soul companion to me. As a teenager, my school assigned us to create a children’s book, and I chose to make a story about the friendship between two rabbits. Several years later, when I first visited the UK in 2019, I fell in love with its beautiful scenery and rich culture. During the lockdown period, I began painting rabbits again and started using watercolours. At that time, Peter Rabbit spoke to my heart more strongly than ever. As time passed, I learned more and more about Beatrix Potter’s life, and I was always inspired. Reading her small books in my local library soothed me and gave me the courage to pursue life as a children’s book artist.”
This resonated with us deeply, and it is the kind of quiet influence that Beatrix herself may have never imagined her works could bring. The undeniable legacy of her stories reaching across time and place influencing artists and their creative paths, and in doing so inspiring them to carry her legacy forward. This felt like the right moment to ask Yuuco about what aspects of Beatrix Potter’s work inspire her the most in her own creative life.
“Beatrix Potter’s lively and detailed illustrations inspire me most, as they allow me to feel as if the small world of animals might truly exist somewhere. Also, her stories always make me smile. They also help me understand British culture, as her characters often behave like people in real society. I was also deeply inspired when I learned that The Tale of Peter Rabbit was originally written as a letter to a sick boy, the son of her former governess. This taught me that a good story can be born naturally from the simple wish to make one person happy. It is also encouraging to know that Beatrix Potter faced rejection from several publishers before choosing to self-publish her work, which has taught me the importance of starting small, making mistakes, and continuing to try!”
Beatrix Potter’s early struggles with rejection and the difficulty of being taken seriously as a female artist in the world of publishing, have over time become a powerful source of inspiration for many female artists such as Yuuco. We were curious to know to more about how Beatrix Potter’s work has continued to influence and guide Yuuco’s art.
How has her storytelling or illustration style influenced your own work?
“My art teacher in Japan helped me learn about Beatrix Potter’s techniques and style. Together, we explored the materials she may have used, and I still treasure and use the same watercolour palette today. I love how her illustrations are full of detail yet feel light and open in the background. This makes it easy for the reader to know where to look. In my own work, I also think carefully about what I want to highlight, so the viewer can enjoy the illustration and the story naturally.”
After hearing Yuuco speak about the natural and purposeful simplicity of Beatrix’s stories we were interested to learn which characters or books by Beatrix she loves the most.
Do you have a favourite Beatrix Potter book or character? Why?
“If I had to choose one, my favourite character would be Squirrel Nutkin. He is very charming and reminds me of my own silly childhood memories. His story gently shows that it’s okay to be a little different from others, even if it might mean losing your tail!”
It was very interesting for us to hear Yuuco’s thoughts on spirited Squirrel Nutkin and this made us reflect on the theme of individuality and why being different mattered deeply to Beatrix Potter.
Beatrix’s own independent spirit and determination to live differently played a key role in the legacy she created. She was an unconventional woman that did not fit the mould and that defied the expectations placed on women of her time. Many of her animal characters don’t fit the expectations of their world and represent that being different can be both a strength and a challenge.
In many of her works, Beatrix reminds us that individuality should be natural and valued, not something to be frowned upon. Being different shaped who Beatrix was and it also influenced her creations that gently tell children that it is okay to be different; the world is richer when everyone isn’t the same and it can often lead to remarkable things.
We are sure that Beatrix would have taken great pleasure in knowing that her tales continue to inspire brave and talented female artists like Yuuco.
From there, we moved on to talk about how Yuuco approaches her own creative process; we wanted to know what the journey is like for her from the conception of an idea to the completion of a piece. She explained to us the way she observes the world, how she gathers inspiration and experiments with ideas, slowly shaping them into her charming illustrations.
“I enjoy making sketches to gather inspiration from everyday life. When I create an illustrated book, I usually begin with character design and storyboarding. When creating “Toffy’s Souvenir”, I wanted to start by observing the world closely and gathering ideas in real life. Since I was creating an owl character, I visited an owl café in Tokyo to watch them up close and get a sense of their personalities. Because the story is set in the UK, I also travelled to places like the Lake District and Rye, taking many photographs along the way for inspiration. From there, I created a dummy book, painted the final watercolour illustrations, and edited them digitally to prepare them for printing. I also enjoy bringing my books to art markets, where I love talking with visitors and fellow artists and seeing how people connect with my work.”
For Yuuco sharing her art and the joy she finds through these connections with people at the markets creates a sense of community and belonging. Meeting visitors and hearing their reactions has become an important part of her artistic life.
What techniques or materials do you use that are reminiscent of her work?
“I mostly work with soft watercolours on paper. Watercolour can be difficult to control, but I love seeing the water and paint come together naturally, creating gentle effects on the page.”
This led us to take a closer look at her artistic vision and to ask Yuuco about the themes that she feels drawn to and most resonate with her.
“What I love most about Beatrix Potter’s stories is her deep affection for nature and animals. Through her storytelling and careful observation of the natural world, she creates a world that feels both comforting and believable. Her characters are full of personality, and while there is often a touch of mischief or gentle tension, her stories always leave a feeling of warmth and speak to both children and adults. This is why her work continues to be loved across generations.”
Yuuco’s reflections capture so much of what Beatrix is still celebrated for today: her affection for the natural world, her keen eye for detail and the timeless warmth of her characters. What Yuuco said made us want to understand how she weaves this influence into her own creations.
How do you balance your unique voice with the influence of her work?
“While I have great admiration for Beatrix Potter’s timeless and beloved work, I believe that balancing influence and originality begins with listening to my inner voice and asking myself what I truly want to create. I find inspiration in nature, in the relationships between people and animals, and in the many conversations I’ve shared with different people. Looking back on these personal moments helps me shape ideas that feel authentic to me.”
Before we finished our time with Yuuco, there was one last question we did not want to leave out; we were eager to discover what her hopes are regarding her art that is inspired by Beatrix Potter and what outcomes is she hoping to achieve.
“With “Toffy’s Souvenir”, I hope readers feel inspired to try new things and enjoy each experience. Looking back on Beatrix Potter’s life is truly inspiring. She achieved so much in her lifetime. Beyond being a children’s book author and illustrator, she worked to protect the natural environment, preserve native sheep breeds, and support local communities. I deeply admire her broad vision and kind heart.
Growing up in Tokyo, I have fond childhood memories of visiting the countryside in Nagano. Those early experiences shaped the way I see the natural world. Since moving to the UK, I’ve had the chance to live closer to nature and meet inspiring people along the way. One woman I met at a farm reminded me of Beatrix Potter — creative, kind, and full of energy. Meeting her encouraged me to find more ways to bring care and creativity into my daily life. Through my art, I hope to share the connections between people, animals, and the natural world, and to make the world a little kinder.”
We are very grateful to Yuuco for sharing her time with us and for speaking so openly and generously about her artistic journey. Learning about how Beatrix Potter has influenced her work and her personal life has been very inspiring to us.
If you are interested in exploring more of her work, you can find her social links listed below:
Instagram: @yuuco.mimosa.studio
Website: https://yuucomimosa.studio.site/
Contact Email: yuuco.mimosa.studio@gmail.com
Images provided courtesy of the artist.
