Nomura Toyokazu was born in 1949 in Japan and began drawing pictures avidly as even a child. He is a graduate of the Aichi University in Japan and has worked as a professional artist for over 20 years. After studying under the famous Japanese artist Kinji Uehara, Nomura joined the Shunyokai (Japanese Artist Association) and was awarded their top prize in 1982. Since this time the artist has won numerous awards and held solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Nomura and his family immigrated to the United States in 1998 and settled in Pasadena, California.

Nomura Toyokazu has made a career of drawing and painting the figure. His unique techniques include the combination of graphite with oil washes. The artist has an innate sense of the figure and captures gestures and moods with great sensitivity. Nomura often chooses themes of dance and music for his work and focuses on the quiet moments in and around performance. Ballerinas at rest or at practice or about to take the stage are some of his signature subjects.