Tomi Ito Levin was born in Tokyo, Japan. In 1974 she moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue academic studies and build a career in the fashion industry, but as time went on she felt herself drawn back to her cultural heritage.

Moving to Santa Barbara, California in 1977, she had the wonderful good fortune to meet with internationally renowned, Master Artist Nobu Yamamoto, at the Santa Barbara City College Adult Education Program.

After fifteen years of apprenticeship and diligent study with Master Artist Nobu Yamamoto, Tomi Ito was awarded her Shihan, or teaching certificate, and given her Shihan name Gyokusei (Green Jade). Since being awarded her teaching certificate, Tomi has been actively sharing her passion for art in schools, museums, recreation programs, and with private students at the Green Jade Studio in Oxnard, California.

Her paintings have been exhibited in the Carnegie Art Museum, the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, the Santa Barbara Public Library, and many other venues.

Tomi hopes to continue to pass on the artistic tradition and philosophy instilled in her by her teacher, and thus preserve a unique art that is a vital part of the cultural heritage of many Southern Californians and other individuals throughout the United States.