It is with heavy heart that I write to you. Tuesday, May 31, 2011,Kazu Sano slipped away in his sleep after a long struggle with cancer. In the broader context, Kazu leaves a brilliant career as an award-winning illustrator and teacher. He was alum of the Academy of Art University graduating in 1978 with the very first MFA the school gave. His long career, jump-started by his poster for Return of the Jedi six months out of art school included, but was not limited to, over 450 book covers, over 80 paintings and drawings for gallery shows in Japan, a body of extraordinary work illuminating the pages of National Geographic, and a large number of stamp commissions for the US Postal Service, including portraits of Frank Sinatra and other entertainment luminaries. His work has enlivened the visual culture of our time. As a teacher at the Academy of Art University since 1986, he has sought to instill his passion and dedication for illustration as high art to generations of younger artists.
He will be much missed by his family, friends, students, and clients. In his memory, the Sano family has asked that no flowers be sent, rather send donations to the Kazu Sano Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Chuck Pyle Studio at 469 Amber Way, Petaluma, CA, 94952.
弔いの花よりも、学生の奨学金に当てる寄付を「Kazu Sano Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Chuck Pyle Studio」宛に送って欲しいとの事です。