Gregory Sumida

Gregory Sumida biography:

Born and raised in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Gregory Sumida is an acclaimed painter whose approach reflects an Old World commitment to craftsmanship. The son of Japanese immigrants George and Alice Sumida, he remains deeply involved in every stage of the artistic process—grinding his own pigments, stretching his canvases, and building his own frames by hand.

Sumida is best known for his evocative portrayals of Plains Indian cultures, particularly the Crow and Shoshone peoples, set within expansive Western landscapes. Working across a range of media including oil, watercolor, gouache, tempera, and charcoal, his paintings draw from diverse artistic traditions. His work moves fluidly between realism and impressionism while incorporating influences from Western and Japanese art. Throughout his career, Sumida has remained committed to artistic growth, continually exploring new techniques and perspectives.

Largely self-taught, Sumida began selling his paintings at the age of fifteen. A pivotal moment in his artistic development came during a high school visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where he discovered the work of Andrew Wyeth. Later, during a conversation with actor Charlton Heston, Sumida expressed his admiration for Wyeth. Heston encouraged him to write to the renowned painter, and to Sumida’s surprise, Wyeth responded personally. Along with a thoughtful critique of a painting Sumida had enclosed, Wyeth offered a piece of advice that would stay with him throughout his career: “Don’t take lessons.”

Available paintings:

“Winter Toya-pin”
(Winter on the Mountain Peak)
Gregory Sumida
gouache   9″ x 12″
$2,500

See additional information about “Winter Toya-pin”.

“Mountain Takka”
(Mountain and Snows)
Gregory Sumida
gouache   9″ x 12″
$2,500

See additional information about “Mountain Takka”.

Do you have a Gregory Sumida painting you would like to sell? We have clients interested in adding his artwork to their collections. Call us 602-730-2451 or email us sales@artzline.com.