@naomameart

Instagram: @naomameart Twitter: @naomamedesu Tumblr: naomameart.tumblr.com Flickr: naomame.deviantart.com Website: naomame.weebly.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I was born and raised in New Zealand, but I am half Japanese half English. I started to draw more seriously in 2011 starting out with a anime/manga (Japanese cartoon) style. This later progressed to the style I have currently.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I am all about seeing things from a different angle or scale and drawing witty things. I was never interested in grand landscapes or seeing the bigger picture, I always looked up close, seeing details that people miss out on. Such as wildflowers that grow in cramped places, or the odd statue someone bought for their front doorstep 10 years ago. Also, nature is something I have always enjoyed, so there's always a bit of it in my drawings.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

I draw on my iPad using an Apple Pencil which is a recent change of medium. I used watercolours for a while which my digital works are heavily influenced by. I stopped watercolours for stylistic reasons. Before watercolours, I did use a regular drawing tablet for a long while, but this caused a lot of physical problems like slouching/wrist pains. The iPad feels similar to drawing traditionally and creates are more relaxed and healthier way of drawing for me.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I start with a base sketch, then regular line art to define. Sometimes I colour in bulks, which means I just blot colours everywhere until it feels right, but sometimes if it is a smaller artwork I get into colour refining straight away.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

My environment really matters in terms of inspiration, which is why I moved to Japan as of recent. I admire people's "collections" of any kind, especially in Japan where people have such quirky odd things in their gardens or window sills. In terms of artists, I am inspired by Strangley Katie, ieafy, Koyamori/Maruti Bitamin, Sae-Midori, Punziella, Vickisigh, Yoii, and Pearl Gray (I've probably missed some!!).

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

My emotions depend on my art, mostly because it's all I can do. It is a love-hate relationship, the one thing I have the most patience for, but I lash out on the most. It will always be my dream to become a full-time artist. In a way, art has separated me from the world. Because it is all I do and all I really think, I don't pay attention to most other things.

7. Where did you study?

I studied Computer Graphic Design at Waikato University.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

Hopefully, as a self-sufficient artist! If not, I'll still be working as a part-time English teacher in Japan.

9. What about in ten?

Same as #8 :)

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I would like to make art book publication and merchandise, maybe some comics too!

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I'm guilty of liking most junk food, but on a healthier note, I love any sort of Korean food.

12. Favourite book?

The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip.

13. Favourite genre of music?

Too many genres to count!

14. What are your hobbies?

I like to make music and create stories in my spare time!

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

If I were smart, an astrophysicist or a veterinarian! (Because I like space and animals).