tsubakituesday

1. Your work is so colourful and vibrant! Can you tell us a little about your process, and what medium you use?

Thank you : ) Well, the process and mediums varies hugely between pieces. I usually prefer traditional media, which can range from pencils, inks, copic & touch markers, pastels, charcoal, acrylics, watercolors, magazine cut outs & collage materials… Along with anything else I find I would like to experiment with..!

There’s is no specific process that fits into each piece, although they do share a few similarities in technique and such. Most end the way they are without even me knowing how they will turn out. My way of experimenting may be a little risky, for some, but I think it makes things much more unique. That way, you end with results you could never achieve with an ‘undo’ button.

2. There is a huge manga influence in your work… but you take it further into your own very unique style. Do you like to look at a lot of reference for a traditional style, or do you like to put a bit of yourself in these portraits?

Well, when I first begun to draw I liked to imitate styles from anime I watched when I was a kid, and eventually it grew into something beyond that. I don’t often look up references for my work specifically, but I’m always looking and admiring art of all genres, so little bits and pieces stick, all while putting myself into my art.

3. Have you ever been to Japan? If not, would you like to go?

No I haven’t, but I would definitely like to go.

4. “Sencha + Hunny,” ”. ink,” “sand” and “Oiran” are my favourite pieces of yours. In fact I think it was “Oiran” that drew me to your work a little while ago, can you tell us a bit about these pieces?

Thank you : ) Well, these pieces more specifically have a Japanese influence, of course. I’ve been very interested in Japanese culture and history since I was fairly young, especially in fashion, artistic and socialistic regards (even more so in the heian and edo era), and this often seeps into my art. Most of these pieces share a look similar to styles in Ukiyo-e. Bright or muted colors, repeated patterns, a sense of story and an exotic feel…

5. I really like seeing works like “Its Starr Time” and “A Break Up Scene.” What sorts of things do you keep in your Art Journal, or Sketchbook?

It’s really all over the place! Whatever inspires me, from people, to places, to events, to even things I feel are all depicted in my art and in my sketchbooks. I tend to spill my heart out onto my pages… : )

6. A lot of your pieces seem to tell a very a story… “Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai” “ceremony.”, “bingata”… can you give up some insight to these?

If I was a better writer, perhaps I would be a novelist since I like to come up with scenes and stories. But, since my writing skills aren’t quite up to par, I put my stories into images instead. Most of those listed have to do with characters and fiction I’ve imagined. I could definitely go on, but this interview may consequently never end, Haha!

7. What sorts of things would you like to explore next with your work?
Whatever intrigues me next. I like to be innovative : )

niceness~!!

Very interesting chat. I am happy to see that more and more people aren’t following “the rules” when they create. :)

great interview as usual and a well deserving featured artist :)