InterviewFeatured Artist

"When I was in art college, I painted a wide range of paintings, including oil paintings, human figures, and paintings that seemed to be a mixture of abstract and figurative paintings. Currently, he is mainly engaged in abstract painting and is also exploring other expressive techniques. I haven't exactly decided what I'm good at yet, and I think I'll notice and find it while drawing. There is no answer to this, and it is not something that anyone can force me to do, so I want to continue to explore freely based on my instincts and what I am aware of in my life. Currently, I have a desire to paint abstract paintings, so I respect that."  
　
Wakayo Masuda grew up in an environment where his grandfather was a painter, his parents worked in art, and his family was a painting class. When she entered university, she decided to go to Joshibi University of Art and Design. Furthermore, after entering graduate school at Joshibi University of Art and Design, she aims to become a professional and hone her expertise in painting. After that, he went through the art department of junior high school and raised two children while teaching painting classes. The spouse is an Orthodox clergyman. Currently, he is involved in various work in the family church, such as creating works while facing himself, singing hymns, and facing life at burial ceremonies. He says that all of these things are connected to his own production process.　
 
"When I look at the pictures I drew when I was a child, my mother's comments are attached, so sometimes I think of those days. I think there are times when girls want to draw freely, but there are many restrictions because my relatives were professional in painting. It's like I have to draw it more properly. In fact, there was a time when I didn't like being told this every time. I now realize that writing freely like doodles, and having fun drawing like that may be very necessary in the process of growing up. And I think this feeling was a reaction, and now that I'm an adult, I think it led me to draw abstract paintings."

"I believe that art production gives the viewer the opportunity to imagine through painting, so I am particular about the perspective that the work belongs to the viewer. If the viewer thinks it's A, it's A, and if they think it's B, it's B. I think it is the role of the painter to give the viewer a space and a chance to think freely. Abstract paintings are invisible, so I catch such invisible things that come from somewhere and present them through my medium. I think this is an artist in culture, an artist, etc., so I value this style."  
　
Mr. Masuda's favorite painter for a long time is Andrew Wyeth from the United States. Although he paints figurative paintings, he claims that he is an abstract painting, and he was frightened by the abstract way of looking at things with his high technical skills. Masuda says that he does not appreciate paintings painted only by his senses, and respects painters who are built on the foundation of academia. He talked about the importance of mastering the basics of art properly and having a solid foundation and originality.　
 
"The work I have put the most effort into so far is when I was in my fourth year of university and when I was in graduate school. The environment was in place and the technical aspects were solid. However, looking back now, I feel that my life experience is shallow and the content is thin. On the other hand, I currently draw SM-sized works almost every day. All of them are like records of oneself that can only be drawn at that time, so I think each work expresses one's own self and oneself at that time. It's more like a projection of the mind than a picture."

"I don't feel that much joy or joy about participating in competitions or winning good awards. This is the greatest joy to have people who are always looking at me even if they are really small, through the pictures I draw naturally. I am very happy and happy to have people come to the exhibition and send messages on Instagram, where I publish my paintings."  
　
Through his daily life, he talks to someone, interacts with his family, goes for a walk, and gets ideas for paintings from small things in his daily life, and expresses them in his paintings. From there, various thoughts and words come to mind, and Masuda, who draws while expanding his image, always moves his brush at night after housework and child-rearing. We asked Mr. Masuda, who plans to exhibit in Hong Kong in August this year, and is looking to exhibit in Europe in the future, and is also looking at overseas markets.　
 
"Currently, I think I can continue my painting business without difficulty, so I hope to continue this situation for a long time where people who need my paintings and reach them. That's why I honestly don't have the desire to do this or that greedily. I want to be able to take care of my health, continue this daily life forever, and continue to draw my own pictures for a long time. Also, I really enjoy teaching children to draw now, so I hope to be taught at a professional institution like a university someday."