Artist Statement
Storytelling and narrative illustrations are the core focuses of my works. I was always intrigued by the idea of challenging myself to create dynamic, lively scenes while being restrained to the 2-dimensional space I’m working with. To me, the harmonious interaction of rich colors is equally important to the inherent meaning behind each piece. The vivid, saturated colors I use in my imaginative works are intended to bring a refreshing sensation to the viewer’s eyes. Being inspired by traditional Japanese art, the use of lines to create movements and curves is also present in some of my works. While most of the subjects in my illustrations are identifiable,
My sources of inspiration usually come from lines in the book I was reading, experiences of others around me, folktales of different cultures, or the music I was listening to. To approach a new piece, I usually start with several thumbnails to get a general idea of the composition. When I do decide on a layout and a medium, the piece comes together fairly quickly. Watercolor is my main medium when it comes to imaginative works. It’s flexible in the sense that it can have a transparent look and can layer up easily. I like to use a variety of tools, including pastels, color pencils, and pens, to add details and highlights to bring a piece to a finish. The unpredictable outcomes of watercolor and the way the colors interact make the process seem like I was simply guiding a path for the pigments and water to paint the pictures themselves.