“Journey Across Japan in Tsukuba” ended successfully with a total of 107 entries and exhibits, and approximately 1,500 people who supported and participated.
This time, we spoke to Grand Prix winner Yukiko Anmay about her daily life and works.
Q. Congratulations on winning the grand prize! Please let us know if you have any thoughts or impressions after being selected for the Grand Prix.
-I think the most rewarding award for an artist is to win the Grand Prix based on a popular vote rather than a jury. Very valuable and very motivating.
Q. In this exhibition, multiple works were exhibited, but "Favorite Place" received a particularly large number of votes. The picture frame also had a sense of fun, and the idea of including the frame to entertain the viewer was wonderful! From your point of view, Yukiko Anmay, how did you feel about this work being selected this time?
-The picture with the door is very popular, and I have created many other works as part of the series. There are various versions such as a snowy version and a rainy day version. However, in public exhibitions, there are limits to where you can submit your work due to various regulations. I was lucky this time.
Q. The mischievous cat that appears in "My Favorite Place" is so adorable, and I love it because I can really feel the love for the motif! I get the impression that many of your paintings feature living things as motifs, such as cats and killifish. Could you please tell us what you are particular about when creating your paintings, or what triggers or reasons you decide on the motifs you choose?
-My favorite place was actually modeled after my cat, who often slept on the shelf. When I asked my cat-loving friends, they told me that there are so-called cats. I like glass, water, and metal, and often draw them. Also, Showa nostalgia is my life's work.
Q. When creating your paintings, please tell us about the things you are particularly particular about, such as how you use art supplies and colors, and if there are any areas you put particular effort into in your work.
-This time, I'm using acrylic paints, but you can also paint with watercolors, colored pencils, oil paintings, or anything else. Watercolor paintings are surprisingly popular. My top priority is to provide healing and inspiration to people's hearts.
Q. A variety of artists participated in the exhibition, including those who work as painters while working, and those whose lives revolve around painting, but in what kind of environment does Yukiko Anmay normally create paintings? Do you have?
-Before the coronavirus, I was holding about three painting classes, but I got sick around that time, so I stopped all classes. A few years have passed since then, and I've gotten much better, so I'm thinking about starting a painting class again. But to be honest, I'm thankfully busy with painting commissions right now, so I'd like to consider taking a painting class based on my current work situation.
Q. Do you draw works like the ones shown in this exhibition even in your regular commissions?
-For commissions and work, you draw with various motifs such as glass and marbles. The picture frame with a door that won this award has been very well received, so I would like to release more versions in the future.
-It seems like the range will continue to expand from now on!
-That's right. Also, I didn't show it this time, but I often paint watercolors at work. Watercolors give you a completely different atmosphere, and many of my customers say, ``Watercolors are better.''
-That's right! On the other hand, it also means that you can draw pictures with various moods.
-Actually, I used to draw more manga-like pictures. I draw so many different things that people ask me, "What do you want to draw?" (laughs) I wonder if someone else drew it? I think it's better to be able to draw pictures that you can tell whose work it is at first glance, rather than being perceived as such.
Q. Was there a reason for you to switch from manga-style drawings to the style shown in the current exhibition?
-When I took it to a certain publisher, they told me, ``Your drawings are old.'' I thought for a moment that it would be better to change the design, but I submitted it to the public exhibition as it was, and it won an award. I feel like around that time I started mainly putting on exhibitions. This was probably about 30 years ago. Nowadays, perhaps the era has come full circle, or on the contrary, people say that it's nice to have a ``Showa retro'' feel.
Q. It certainly feels like times have come full circle when it comes to fashion and trends. I'm sure you've had a lot of experience so far, but is there anything you always do when you're stuck with a drawing or want to input new ideas?
-I've never really gotten stuck when it comes to painting. In fact, there are so many things I want to draw that I'm at a loss. A friend of mine once asked me, ``Is there one photo that you can't beat?'' and I replied, ``I don't have one'' (lol). I often draw the next thing first, so I don't have to worry about it too much. I get angry at myself when I can't draw something the way I want. To change my mood, I try to create an environment where I can move my body, such as playing tennis, and not think about painting.
Q. When you come up with such an idea or what you want to draw, is there some kind of trigger, such as encountering or discovering something?
-I always try to bring a sketchbook with me when I travel. When I go out and see a landscape, the first thing I think about is, ``What would it look like if I turned it into a painting?'' You could even say that I look at landscapes in order to draw pictures.
-Everything you can see looks like a document (lol)
-It's like, ``I wonder if this place will turn into a picture?''
Q. You are currently busy with exhibitions and commissions for paintings, but do you have any plans for future exhibitions?
-There will be a large exhibition held in three rooms at a hotel in Shizuoka. In addition to the exhibition corner for works, there is also a candy corner. I thought I'd make it look like a small candy store. There will also be a gallery talk on July 1st, so if you're in the area, please come along.
-It looks like the layout will be a really interesting exhibit! If you have the time, please come and visit us.
Yukiko Anmay, thank you for your cooperation in today's interview!
"Favorite place"
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