Mikio Watanabe was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1954. After studying at Tokyo, he left Japan by the port of Yokohama in 1977, and travelled through Siberia to Paris where he settled. From 1979 to 1981, he studied printmaking with Stanley Hayter at Atelier 17.
In 1989, he was awarded the “Prix du Salon de la gravure originale” of Bayeux, France, and in 1992, the “Prix du Miniprint International de Cadaquès”, Spain. He is also a member of the “Academy international Greci-Marino” of Italy.
Mikio Watanabe uses the Mezzotint printmaking technique since 1981. His favorite subject is the female body.