Describe your style in one sentence:
80’s girly TV cartoons smashed together with Asian design aesthetics and a dash of the 70’s.
Tell us about Inkblot and how you conceived of the character:
I had yet to play around with a shape that I could mirror. I thought using the shape that makes an inkblot makes could be an interesting inspiration.
Where does the name Miss Kika come from?
I started using the name for the girl I draw and it has kind of stuck to me now, probably because its more fun than just Liz. Miss Kika was actually the name of my parents’ cat who passed away during my study abroad in Japan. Since I chose to pursue illustration because of this trip and I loved my cat, I decided it would be sweet to give my character her name.
You’re a Florida lady transplanted to San Francisco – where does the strong anime style come from?
I grew up on a lot of cartoons as a kid: Jem, Lady Lovely Locks and lots of imported shows like Unico, The Little Prince, Sailor Moon, Little Koala and Candy Candy. Later on I went to high school in Japan and started drawing after seeing the packaging and ad illustrations over there. I think I just soaked it up!
What was the defining moment in your childhood when you thought – I want to become an artist when I grow up?
My mother got me a Barbie fashion design art kit when I was seven. After I was done with it I used the body stencil to keep on drawing my own girls to add my own hair and pretty clothing on. I guess that was the start!
What’s your process in creating a piece of art? What tools do you use?
I usually look for something to inspire me, like an object or maybe a piece of fabric. I usually sketch it really sloppily and lay out the colors, than take it to Adobe illustrator and freehand a clean version. I paint in pretty much the same way.
What music is rotating on your iPod?
YMCK, Meiko Kaji, Whiteberry, Tommy6, Daft Punk, Maroon 5, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Yoshida Brothers and some Beatles songs… My taste when I work is a bit random!
What things have you seen recently that are going to inspire a piece of art?
Right now I’m working on a set of Rococo style girls, that new Marie Antoinette movie really helped inspire me with details! I can’t stop looking at Macaroon cookies. I have a feeling I will be doing a few pieces inspired by those colors.
What’s the most unusual canvas you’ve painted on?
The vending machine in the ladies restroom.
What is your favorite color?
Periwinkle.
What’s the best compliment you’ve had to your art?
My biggest complement was at my last show when some people came dressed up based like a piece of my artwork, they even made the hair pieces I like to draw! That was so amazing and flattering!
Could you share three unique things in your work space that inspire you?
First one is a scrap from an old Juxtapoz magazine I found on the floor in 2003. On it are a bunch of photos from Yumiko Kayukawa’s third or forth show. I was still a student and never thought lovely art like that could be shown in a gallery. I still have it on my pin board above my desk, it always reminds me of that moment I felt inspired to just do what I enjoyed professionally.
Second is a huge box of unused greeting cards. I love to buy cards with beautiful art on them. Sometimes when I get stressed I just flip through my box to feel inspired again.
Third would have to be my little toy and urban vinyl collection.
Check out my office!
What art do you have on your walls?
My boyfriend has got me hooked on buying art. We have a giant Junko Mizuno silk screen and some Yumiko Kayukawa, Fawn Gehweiler, Audrey Kawasaki, Sylvia Ji and Marguerite Sauvage paintings and prints. It is like pretty lady land all over our walls, I love it.
Can you describe your computer:
I work on a PC I had custom built into a pink tower and two screens with a bitty Buddha and a good fortune cat hanging out on the top of one. This is my desktop.
Could you share something about yourself that makes you blush?
I always end up painting in my underwear. I don’t mean too, I just always throw off a piece while I work because I don’t want to get paint on it or it is hot. At the end of the day I’m like “Hey… where did my clothing go?” Maybe that’s always why I draw girls in their underwear!
Name some things that you love about DeviantArt:
I love the size of the community, now that I have a fair number of people that follow my work, its really great to be able to ask them how they feel about something and get a response from a few hundred people immediately. I also love the many lovely friends on DA that are also working professionals, artists like Anneli Olander. It is so good to be able to chit chat and give each other feedback!
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I’m in a new art book called Pink Attitude- the Contemporary Female Creativity by Underscore Press. It has been on a tour in Europe since the summer, but its just hitting the States now – so please check it out! I am also working on my first solo show for Feb 7th, 2009 at Pink Ghost plus five pieces for CAVE Gallery in LA.
