When I was in elementary school, I won a prize for printmaking, but after that, I was passionate about basketball in junior high and high school, and went to a foreign language university in college, so I lived a life away from painting.
The turning point was in 2017, when the designer at my workplace had leftover watercolor paint that I used in the storyboard, so why don't you try drawing with this? I was recommended to paint. I brought home a paint set and drew "Pea-chan of the Okame". This is not a good work, but it left a strong impression on me as my first experience drawing my favorite cockatiel. If I hadn't been recommended by my colleagues at that time, I don't think I would have gone on to the path of painting.
InterviewFeatured Artist
Although he started from a path unrelated to art, he is a unique painter who has achieved overseas exhibitions in just a few years. It started with watercolors given to him by a colleague. Since then, he has continued to draw selflessly, expanding his activities to the world through social media and his own ability to take action. His works, which express healing and the expansion of perspectives with the theme of animals and space, have captured the hearts of many people. We will approach the steps that have given shape to dreams one by one.
"Pea-chan of the turtle"
Written by: Midori
Please tell us what made you want to become a painter.
Tell us about your career so far.
In my life so far, I have realized the goals that came to me at that time. My dream of living in a foreign country when I was 12 years old came true when I studied in the United States at the age of 20, and my dream of becoming a translator came true in 2023. And at the age of 25, I was able to obtain a qualification and fulfill my wish to become a career consultant.
Each time, what I wanted to do was born and came true, but as a painter, I also had a great desire to have people see my paintings. I started painting in 2017 and was able to exhibit my work overseas in March 2022. As for the painting, I am happy that the activities are taking shape firmly.
"Don't go."
Written by: Midori
Please tell us about your activities overseas.
The overseas exhibition was triggered by being approached through Instagram in March 2022. I have always wanted to present my work overseas, so it is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to exhibit continuously because I have always wanted to present my work.
When you travel to Seattle, you make a surprise visit to a local bookstore and negotiate with the owner to sell your paintings, and there are not many paintings you draw in the United States. I'll definitely buy it. I was once told that. I felt a sense of accomplishment that we were able to negotiate in a way that acknowledged the differences between Japanese and American styles, and that it led to sales.
This kind of positivity is what I learned while studying in the United States. I was taking a journalism class at university, and I was also interviewing local radio stations and newspapers by phone. I felt that I couldn't get anything if I didn't move on my own, and I wanted to experience the process myself because there were vendors who would step in between for exhibitions overseas.
Please tell us about the theme of your work and your work.
I like animals, so I mainly draw dogs and parakeets. When I look at the expressions of animals, I feel that I can be myself and be who I am, and the time I spend painting is a healing and blissful moment for me.
He also works on the theme of space, so when he thinks about the universe, he can see things from a bird's eye view. When you talk to your father when you are worried about your career, imagine the earth as seen from space. From the perspective of space, your own troubles are a small thing. I have had the experience of feeling lighter. From there, I began to feel close to the universe.
Please tell us about the work that left an impression on you.
The work that I have the most affection for is "Thank you" depicting my dog. My dog, a miniature dachshund, suffered from a hernia in his later years and could not walk, but he was always close to me. I think they are watching over me from heaven now. As the title suggests, it is a work that I drew with such concentration that I thought I would never be able to draw it again, while expressing my gratitude.
"Thank you."
Written by: Midori
Please tell us about your future prospects.
Now I exhibit my works overseas, and I also sell goods such as tin badges, stickers, and bags. I am deeply moved to think that my work has crossed the ocean and is displayed somewhere overseas, or used in everyday life. I would like to convey to everyone the culmination of myself, the combination of English and art, animals, space, and other things that have been healing for me.
I've achieved my dreams to some extent, but there are still things I want to accomplish. While working as a painter, translator, and career consultant, I would like to create a future creation company that connects people, dreams, and the community in the new business I am currently involved in. Art, translation, and career consulting should be useful in any genre I have ever experienced, so I spend my time expanding my new dreams. In my painting activities, I have mainly focused on animals and space, but I have actually liked to draw vehicles.
In the future, I would like to combine conventional vehicles such as trains, airplanes, and cars with animals to create a slightly fanciful picture. I want to leave behind not only real things, but also works that will lead to a creative future. I would like to continue to be future-oriented and realize new dreams.
He started painting after a colleague's words, and has expanded his activities overseas through his ability to take action and continuity. Works with animal and space themes are filled with healing and expanding perspectives. Behind the realization of many dreams so far is the attitude of continuing to move on oneself. He is expected to continue to play an active role as a future-oriented person who creates new value while taking on new dreams.
Interview: 2024/12/28