Tell us about this piece
I was interested in illustrating all the most dramatic, cliché things that could happen in a life. So here we see an epic battle with a giant sea monster on the “High Seas”. Maybe next we’ll see some huge war, or someone starving in the Antarctic. It celebrates the old explorer.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
Playful mixed-media experiments with whimsy, charm and darkness.
What’s your creative process?
I love to work with real materials, making mess with ink, pens, paper, and collage, whatever is at hand. Then I like manipulating it on the computer to produce a final composition.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
Here’s a really rough sketch for a recent illustration for BusinessWeek Magazine.
Would you share some unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
My neighbor’s two year old daughter, a massive encyclopedia of animals borrowed from the library, and all the cute stuff I brought back from Japan.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in response to your work?
Someone in Los Angeles got a tattoo of a scene from a little stop-motion video I did.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
I’m a bit of a transient, so I live in lots of spaces. I’m in Tokyo right now and the art scene is very interesting. There is this juxtaposition of super cute, friendly, politeness on the surface, with dark intense themes underneath. It’s kind of scary, but also kind of what I want to put into my work- an initially aesthetic surface, with dark undertones.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
A collage I just finished, and an awesome new two color silkscreen print here’s a photo.
What are you really into right now?
Mess, I really wish I had a bigger studio so I could be constantly wading in creative piles of mess. Mess is best!
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
I collaborate a lot with the musician Lenka We make a lot of visual stuff together around her music (prints, animations, etc). It’s a fun collaboration. But I think my visuals could translate to all sorts of music, I’ve done various music projects in the past, and it’s always a good starting point for creativity- especially the lyrics. So I guess my work would sound quite eclectic!
What websites do you check out regularly?
Ffffound, Itsnicethat, and Kitsunenoir.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
I vividly remember being in pre-school and it being set to do three activities which rotated throughout the day: playing with toys, reading, and drawing. So I devised the most complicated drawing so that I could spend all day just drawing. I remember this super complex village of houses with tiny spiders under the eaves; all the foundations of the houses; every piece of grass, etc. It wasn’t quite as complex when I pulled it out recently, but it blew my mind as a kid.
What was your last memorable dream?
I am totally jet lagged and woke up completely disorientated just hours ago. I remember dreaming there were these white porcelain plants growing in the room with me. They were cute but also a bit Day of the Tiffids.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I’m happy to do anything that is creative, maybe music? I wish I could play an instrument… although I am really drawn to philosophy and the point at which mathematics turns abstract and becomes about explaining the universe.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I just had a show in Japan, an exhibition of limited edition prints and huge drawings. Next show will be in Germany in spring next year. Check out my website for the most recent news!
What’s your motto?
Make things!
