Our peaceful winter holidays are slowing to an end (too bad!!) In case you are still recovering from a New Year’s party – here is #3 of our Holiday Series to give you some energy through illustrations with a romantic touch: Look into these deep eyes surrounded by mountains of undulating hair… This mysterious girl is the creation of illustrator Mari Kubota, a member of Osaka based art project digmeout which we introduced to you before. PingMag was so drawn into it, that we had to talk to Mari…
Written by Ryoko
Translated by Yuka Tero
Why did you become an illustrator?
Since I was young, I have always loved drawing and still do. I’ve been thinking that there is nothing else I could be proud of, and drawing is the one and only thing I could do. So, I decided to major in art.
Do you have any kind of obsession with your painting tools?
Nothing particular, really. However, I quite prefer using acrylic gouache paints for wider expression.
A fair-skinned woman with a looong, alluring neck…
… and another half-naked character with curly waves.
When or where does inspiration hit you mostly?
Often when somebody tells me off and makes me feel down, I start painting. There is something about the act of painting that comforts me and somehow cools me off. Also, the ideas sometimes come from dreams I have at night or memories. I’m sure you have experienced something impressive, such as scenery you saw as kid, reappear in your dreams, haven’t you?
When an idea pops into your head, do you sketch it out straight away?
It depends. Occasionally, I draw a quick sketch on the back of an advertising leaflet or things like that.
Is there anything you keep in mind while drawing?
I always try to make it “cute.” What I express represents my desires such as, for instance, my childhood pop idol. I believe that, as kids, we all used to draw pictures of what we wanted to be. My current drawing style can be basically traced to this and I haven’t changed. I think of it as quite cute, others often find it creepy!
Can’t get cuter – with a hundreds of bows.
A Japanese taste for traditional floral motifs combined with nostalgia.
Regarding 2007: Tell us about your exciting projects so far!
I spent a month making an animation: YOKOSOYOKO should come out next year, so I’m very excited. In my personal life, I got married and this has made me well-adjusted, I feel a very comfortable to concentrate on work.
Finally, what’s your New Year’s resolution?
I would like to focus on producing new works for a painting exhibition, for example.
Thanks very much, Mari. We will be keeping an eye on your new works!
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