Famous for his colorful mushrooms and smiley-faced flowers and known by many as the Warhol of Japan, Takashi Murakami merges traditional art with popular Japanese manga cartoons and anime films. His invented characters appear in his paintings, sculptures and even on giant balloons. His brightly colored artwork also appeared on designer handbags for a 2003 partnership with Louis Vuitton; the bags sold out quickly and generated millions in revenues.

With his work visible at New York City landmarks like The Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal, it’s no wonder that price points for his creations now range from $100,000 for a small painting to around $1.6 million for larger ones.

In addition to being an artist, Murakami is also considered a media king in Japan. He produces animated films and has his own Radio and TV shows where he interviews everyone from world-famous artists to respected economists.

Staying true to the tradition of Warhol’s Factory, Murakami operates the Kaikai Kiki Company – named after characters from his imagination. He has factory studios in Tokyo and in Queens, where artists carry out his imaginative creations.

To learn more about Murakami continue reading an article from the NY Times here.