| Tagged in: Tokyo , Painting , London , Illustration , Animation | Mar 01, 2010 |
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| Posted by: Richard Scarry | Comment (0) |
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get it from my dreams, any time day or night. It might bother me in some ways.
Q: Your color palette is crazy, how did it evolve?
According to my mother, my color was already crazy when I began to paint at an early age, but it was too strong and messed up. I think it was refined thanks to the study at an art university.
Q: Do your characters have personalities?
I think they have. However, they are harder for you to interpret than me. Some people might search for evil in my monsters, but it doesn’t exist.
Q: How long does it take to create one of your paintings?
It normally takes about seven days for a size F8, 14.9 inches long and 17.9 inches wide, if there are no complications.
Q: What made you change direction from illustration to fine art?
I had done illustration as well as taught art as a job, but one day I was filled up with my monsters power, and I could no longer hold them to come out.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born in between the china town and the U.S. base in Yokohama, a port town that had first opened its port to the Western world to trade in the late Edo Era, and grew learning paintings from an American artist and his wife. I had imaginary pets and friends like other children, but they didn't disappear even when I became an adult.
Q: Future direction?
I want to join in a lot of shows in America or Europe the same as before. I have always been in Japan. So for once I want to actually see the shows in situ.
Q: Things you love?
They are marine life, white wine, birds, and static electricity.
Q: Things you loathe?
They are winter, snow, and cold rain. I break down(when I meet with them).
Q: Have you ever done any sculpture?
I love sculpture. I have not sculpted for a while but I want to do once more soon, any minute if I have a chance. I have original forms another modeler made.
Q: Where do you live and work?
I live in Yokohama, and work in Tokyo.
Q: How do you spend your time when you are not painting?
I teach as an art teacher. I often go to the beach with my family in my holidays.
Q: Is there a message in your work?
I want to synchronize with the fantasy kingdom that exists in everyone.
Q: What upcoming plans do you have for showing you work?
For now three group shows are scheduled this year, and I will renew my homepage next month that has not been touched for ages to let people know.
Q: What is the largest painting you have done?
I painted large pictures about size 25 when I was an art student, but nowadays size 12 is the largest one I painted.
Q: Do you still do commercial work as an illustrator?
No, but I sometimes teach illustration as a teacher.
Q: Favorite living artist?
Patrick Woodroffe and Jim Woodring.
Q: What is the most exciting place you have ever visited?
The bottom of the sea, I did a night dive once. I think it was around Izu in Japan. I was looking for squids’ eggs like a jewel, where noctilucae and shining fish were flying about in total darkness. It was a fantastic experience as if I were in outer space.
Q: If you didn't paint what career would you have?
I don’t know. Perhaps I wouldn’t have one or maybe working in a zoo.
Q: If you could change one thing in the world what would that be?
I would make the world more colorful, limit cars’ colors to pink and yellowish green, and limit buildings’ patterns to polka dots and stripes, and if this is impossible, I would bring peace to the world.
Thanks for taking time to talk to us Yoko, Richard and Chippy
