He specializes in fantastic and bewitching paintings.
He is mainly active in digital art. Currently, he provides illustrations for SEKAHAJI GROUP.
Kicka. On a YouTube channel called Memo, he posts a made-of-the-making video of the production process.
INTERVIEWInterview
Kikka.
Please briefly introduce yourself.
Born and raised in Tokyo, I continue to create based in this city as before. I started drawing when I was in junior high school, when I joined the illustration club. I've loved drawing since I was a child, and I grew up familiar with subcultures like anime and manga, so if I'm going to get involved in drawing as a club activity, I want to improve even more—this journey started from a very honest feeling.
He learned almost all his painting skills on his own. I admired the beauty of digital illustrations drawn by senior club members, and through correspondence courses,CLIP STUDIO PAINTI discovered this software, and I've been using it ever since. At first, I struggled because I couldn't draw as I wanted, but driven by a strong desire to improve as quickly as possible, I spent my days self-studying and trying various drawing techniques.
As a side note, a troubled computer used for drawing sparked my interest in information technology itself, leading me to white-crack at a vocational school.(Ethical Hacking)He has a somewhat unusual background, having studied for four years. During my student days, I was too busy to devote much time to painting, but one day, someone I respected genuinely liked my art, which inspired me to take my art more seriously. After this process, we were approached by Nihonbashi Art and have been able to continue our activities.
Are there any exhibitions or events that left a strong impression on you?
Of all the exhibitions I've visited, the one that left the strongest impression on me was Giorgio de Chirico's show. I was originally strongly attracted to Surrealism, so I tried to attend related exhibitions as much as possible. The shock I felt when I saw De Chirico's work is something I can never forget. At first glance, the composition seemed simple, but the more you gazed at it, the deeper it became—a serene yet mysterious sense of immersion that somehow invited you into another world. Although the art style and worldview are different, I have come to hope that someday, even in my own works, I can express deeply immersive experiences that gently transport viewers to a different world.
A work depicting a mental landscape inspired by the sparkle of the sea.
Author: Kikka.
What inspired you to start your career as a painter?
When choosing a club activity in junior high, I was strongly drawn to the illustration club, which was the beginning of everything. I've loved drawing since I was a child, so if I'm going to draw, I want to get even better—a simple desire to improve. From there, I honed my skills on my own, and I think my relationship with art gradually shifted from a hobby to expression.
Then, when someone I respected truly liked my art, I decided to face art more seriously. It was the moment when painting, which had been an extension of my hobby, transformed into something I put out into the world as my own expression.
What kind of feelings do you put into your work?
Until now, I have painted many female figures, including goddesses, but going forward, I want to work on expressions that reflect the inner world, such as mental landscapes. We aim to create works that help viewers suddenly relax their hearts and lighten the heavy emotions of daily life, even just a little. What all these works have in common is a prayer-like wish that the suffering and tension in the viewer's daily life will be eased, even just a little. Although I have only recently started my activities, I want to continue painting with sincerity going forward.
Is there a work you've ever worked on that feels most 'like yourself!'? Please tell us.
To be honest, it's hard to describe who I am in words, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be "Initium -It's a work called 'The Beginning.' This painting was the first piece I decided to seriously engage with art not as a hobby but as an artist, and it holds special meaning for me.
I had been drawing seriously until then, but it was purely an extension of my hobby. From this work, I put my resolve into living as a painter from now on, and I repeatedly experimented to establish my own worldview. Looking back at this painting now, it reminds me of my original intention to always face the artwork properly—it's a precious piece.
"Initium - The Beginning"
Author: Kikka.
Could you share your thoughts on creating your future works?
In the future, I hope to take on the challenge of creating picture books. We weave the story ourselves with our own hands, and when it is finished, we aim to even sell it. Also, I feel that one of the appeals of digital illustrations is that the expression of the work can change dramatically depending on the printing method. Currently, we use a unique method of expressing transparency by printing on thick, transparent acrylic sheets,FLAT LABOWe continue our work while relying on your support. Going forward, I want to continue challenging myself with various printing methods and broaden my range of expression.
"Initium - The Beginning"
Artwork printed on acrylic at FLAT LABO
Author: Kikka.
Kikka hones her digital illustration skills through self-study and continues to pursue expressions that create a deeply immersive experience that gently transports viewers to a different world. Shi. He seeks to further expand his range of expression by creating picture books and taking on new printing methods. Her sincere dedication to painting with feelings almost like prayer raises expectations for her future journey.
EXHIBITIONS Exhibition Information
2025.12.01 - 2025.12.15
キッカ。 Online Solo Exhibition Remissio
The pain that I can't tell anyone, the heavy emotions that suddenly hit me.
Sometimes we spend our days quietly holding them in our hands.
"Remissio" is a Latin word that means "relaxation" or "liberation".
This exhibition is a way to alleviate such pain and suffering even a little,
We aim to create a time that makes you breathe deeper, even for a moment.
You can forget the weight of your heart even for a moment
I hope it can be a place for such a small "loosening".