Today, we spoke to Teru Yamashita, an artist who began his career in earnest in 2011, and who expresses the world of his works in a variety of styles, regardless of art materials or techniques.
Thank you for participating in today's artist interview!
First of all, what made you want to become an artist?
I thought it would be wonderful if I could convey through pictures things that are difficult to convey in words, such as the problems of the world, the feelings we feel in everyday life, and the things we create in images.
When you began your career as a full-fledged writer, was there anything or an episode that gave you the driving force behind it?
I feel that my experience as a musician until my mid-20s is connected to the way I express myself in painting today. Also, the 2011 earthquake has been a big motivating force for me to draw, and I hope to be able to convey the joy and joy of living through my drawings, even to people who don't know me.
You said that you started your career as a writer after the disaster in 2011. Have you changed your state of mind or style between then and now?
At the time of the earthquake, his themes were life and nature, and his works expressed the preciousness of life and prayers for people. Currently, I have expanded my horizons a little more, and my work has become more conscious of color and three-dimensionality, and I have begun to create stories in my paintings.
As time passes, your attitude toward your work gradually changes.
Please tell us about your current work style and how you arrived at it.
I originally started drawing by myself, but I was influenced by Taro Okamoto in terms of style and mentality. I admire the attitude of not being able to fit into a single frame, but instead projecting oneself onto the canvas. I myself have a variety of styles, but when I create I try to keep in mind the spirit of destroying and rebuilding, experimenting, and having fun.
Is there anything you keep in mind when creating your works?
I sometimes draw series of works, but I have decided not to draw the same pictures. I get tired of my own style once I get used to it, so I create by combining several styles.
In order to stay motivated, it is very important to find ways to not get bored while creating!
I'm sure you use a variety of techniques to create your works, but if you have any that you're particularly good at, please let me know.
There was a time when I liked Jackson Pollock and used to imitate him, so I don't know if action painting is my forte, but it's a technique I like. I am also good at creating shapes using paint knives and other tools.
Where do you get your inspiration for your work?
Listening to various genres of music. Expand your imagination while reading a novel. Everything from the colors of the scenery I see in my daily life to the things I feel become my inspiration.
You have created several colorful works, but personally I found the painting in `` Good Place '' of fishing with the sun and moon to be original and impressive.
I feel like this is a topic that I don't often think of in my personal life, but in what situations do you come up with ideas like this?
I know someone who loves fishing, and I don't fish, but when I heard him talk about fishing, I suddenly wondered what would happen if I combined fishing with my favorite theme, the universe. I expanded the image and drew it.
Are there any expressions or themes you would like to try in the future?
I would like to try my hand at ink paintings, watercolors, and other works that express things by varying the amount of water, as well as copperplate prints.
Lastly, please give a message to everyone viewing FROM ARTIST.
Thank you for reading. There are still very few opportunities to purchase and display your favorite art in Japan, but I think learning about art in places like this will be an opportunity. I will gradually increase the number of works so that you will like my art works, so please look forward to it.
Introducing the works featured on FROMARTIST
Title of work: Good Place
Detail page URL: https://from-artist.com/products/good-place
Artist profile: https://from-artist.com/collections/yamashitaakira