In fact, I didn't intend to paint from the beginning, and it wasn't even an option for me at the time. However, I think I had many opportunities to come into contact with painting naturally from a young age, such as my great-grandfather painting, and my father, who was a big art lover and displayed paintings at home.
Meanwhile, at an exhibition by American painter Grandma Moses, which I happened to visit at the time, I learned that she began working as a painter at the age of 75. At that moment, I felt like the dots were connected, and from there, I decided to draw myself.
When I first started drawing, I didn't have any confidence at all, and I just kept drawing, but as I devoted myself to it, I gradually started to enjoy it.
InterviewFeatured Artist
TOMOKO, an artist from Shizuoka Prefecture, went through a major turning point in his life and began painting while facing himself. The works created by automatic scribe production, in which thoughts are let go and everything is entrusted to the movements of the hands, gently snuggle up to the emotions of each viewer. TOMOKO, who has entrusted his desire to "deliver happiness and healing" to the golden line and has deepened his expression through repeated exhibitions, talks about the origins of his creation and the challenges ahead.
Please tell us how you started drawing.
What was the moment when you needed to draw?
Looking back on that time, I felt like I had nothing. While I went through a divorce and felt that I had to raise my children responsibly, it was also true that I honestly thought that my life was over. It was a time when I didn't have the energy to do something or get involved with people.
In such a situation, while being saved by the presence of people around me who support me and learning about the spiritual world, I want to love myself more and end my life happily. In order to do so, I felt that I had to face myself.
For me, "facing myself" meant thinking about "what do I really want to do?" After twisting and turning, I searched for the answer and finally came to the point of painting.
"Festival of Kinka"
Written by: TOMOKO
Please tell us about the process that led you to the current expression.
When I first started drawing, I didn't even know what I wanted to draw. Even if I decided to draw, there were times when I couldn't draw the way I wanted because I didn't have the experience of learning the technique, and I couldn't enjoy it.
Still, as I decided to continue up to about 100 pieces, I realized that it was better to draw with my hands as my heart went rather than thinking with my head. This is a so-called automatic writing method. When I saw the works that were born in this way, I thought it might be good, and this style became established as my expression.
Even now, I don't decide on a specific motif, but I surrender to the natural movement of my hands. People who see the finished work sometimes say that it looks like a phoenix or a flower, but during the production process, I don't imagine anything and just focus on drawing.
Is there any intention behind using gold?
I started using gold when I heard that it is a color with high vibrations. When I tried using it, it felt strangely good, so I continue to use it even now. Also, I have always felt that I am depicting the vibrations of light in my work. It is said that light is energy itself, and gold symbolizes abundance and confidence, so I feel that gold is a good fit. "I want to deliver positive energy to the viewer through my work" - with this in mind, I create gold with a special commitment.
I am in a very relaxed state while painting. There are moments when I feel that it becomes more and more wonderful as I draw, and that feeling leads to pure fun. In addition, I hardly feel any tension or negative emotions during production. I think that it is precisely because I paint in this relaxed state that something like light and energy naturally rises in my work.
"Radiance"
Written by: TOMOKO
Is there an event that impressed you with the reaction of viewers when you held the exhibition?
The most memorable thing was when he said, "I fell in love at first sight." I was very happy and surprised that there were people who felt that way.
Because in the first year of my career, I didn't have any confidence at all. There have been times when I was afraid to even post my work on Instagram and didn't want my existence to be known, so I thought about quitting already.
Still, little by little, I began to receive invitations to exhibitions through Instagram, and at the same time, I received more and more opportunities to praise my work. When I was told, "This is not something that everyone can do," I began to think, "Oh, maybe this is my strength."
What kind of changes do you hope to bring to the viewer through your creations?
I would be happy if my work could heal someone. Because I have experienced difficult times myself, I want to be a person who gently stands up to those who are also suffering. If my work can lighten my heart even a little, give me an opportunity to look forward, or lead to time to regain my energy in my daily life, I would like to continue working with such a wish.
Are there any expressions you would like to try in the future?
I would like to try a bigger work. In recent exhibitions, I have sometimes released size 10, but I usually draw in size about A4, and I would like to try my hand at expressing space-related works such as murals, not just my previous paper works.
I also have a longing for live painting. I feel that drawing with my whole body on a large piece of paper is a good match for my automatic writing style, and I am currently talking about actually trying it out soon.
「LOVE」
作:TOMOKO
Finally, please tell us your thoughts on future activities.
Frankly, I want more people to know about it. In order to continue to live in this world, I would like to continue to exhibit and express myself in the future.
Also, there are many things I don't know because I suddenly jumped into the world of art. That's why I would be happy if I could meet fellow painters with whom I can share such experiences and realizations, and if there are people who support me, it will be a driving force that I can still do my best. I would like to continue to deepen my expression while valuing connections with people.
TOMOKO faced himself in a sense of loss and came to the end of painting.Granma MosesPushed by the way of life, he delivers healing and positive energy through automatic writing production and the expression of golden light. Expectations are high for his future activities as he expands the scale of his expression and takes on new challenges.
Interview: 2025/12/21