I am a Japanese-style painter. I love living creatures and have recently been often painting works modeled after aquatic creatures.
WORKS Works
INTERVIEWInterview
Yukiko Uchida
University days when I studied painting unique to Japan
――Please tell us about how you started painting.
"I have loved drawing since I was a child, and at first I wanted to be a manga artist. When I was in junior high school, I went to a preparatory school to go to a high school attached to Joshibi University of Art and Design, where I studied full-fledged painting. After studying at a preparatory school, I became more interested in painting than manga. After that, I went on to the school of my choice, and in high school, I learned watercolor painting and oil painting from the basics."
――You choose the Japan Painting Course at your university, but why?
"It was a high school attached to an art university, but as I was attending, I started thinking that I wanted to study at a university outside of the country, so I started studying for the entrance exam. At that time, I was born as a Japan person, so I wanted to study Japan painting. Japan painting is a technique unique to Japan that has developed as a unique culture despite being influenced by foreign countries. I wanted to learn more about it, so I chose the Japan-drawing course at university."
――What was your impression when you came into contact with Japan painting at university?
"I had some knowledge of Japan painting, but it was very difficult when I actually started drawing. Japan painting has a lot of work processes, and even if you make colors, you start by mixing them yourself. There were so many processes that I thought it was troublesome when I was in college (laughs). But at the same time, I also felt that it was an interesting world. I feel that the artist's heart is put into each process, and that is the charm of Japan painting."
Expressing the thoughts that arise when you see it with your own eyes
――I heard that you often draw aquatic creatures such as fish these days.
"My grandfather loved fish, and there was a pond in his parents' garden. When the new coronavirus epidemic made it difficult to go out, I looked again at what I liked and realized that I was attracted to fish, which had been close to me since I was a child. I wanted to make these children into my work,' and from there I started drawing pictures of fish."
――When you work on fish works, do you draw them by looking at photos and videos?
"I started by going to the aquarium and observing the fish swimming in front of me. I studied with Japan painter Tetsuo Matsumoto at university, and he was a person who valued sketching. When the teacher sketched on site, he sat directly on the ground and sketched while feeling the warmth, saying, "I want to feel the breath of the earth." His teachings are very deeply rooted in me, and since then, I have been valuing reflecting what I feel in my works."
――How much time do you usually spend sketching?
"The specific time varies, and I spend more time observing the fish than the sketching itself. As you look at it, you will understand the characteristics of each, such as "This child has a habit of sleeping here" or "This child and that child are on good terms". It is often said that fish have no individuality, but I feel that they are very unique, probably because I have seen them since I was a child. The feeling that springs up while staring at the fish is an important point in creating the work."
A work that conveys a unique brilliance
――You are very careful and take the time to face the work. Isn't it uncommon to spend all day creating?
"Now that I am taking care of my family and working other than being a writer, it is often difficult to secure time. I have been selected several times at the Japan Academy of Art Exhibition, but in fact, most of my paintings are landscape paintings. In the future, I aim to be selected for my fish drawings."
――Since you started drawing fish, has the evaluation of those around you changed?
"I am very happy that people who know my previous paintings have told me, 'Since I started drawing fish, my paintings have come to life,' and I am also very happy that people who have purchased my works have told me that they are like fish alive, and my heart is happy.'"
――What do you want to achieve through fish paintings in the future?
"After all, I want to be an artist who can express the individuality of the fish, or rather, the unique charm of the child. It is sometimes said, but I believe that it is only when you actually meet, observe, and put on the thoughts that arise from it that it can be established as a work. I want to continue to create works that not only convey the beauty of the form, but also convey the unique "childishness."
