Name:
Nanae Kawahara
Age:
28
Occupation:
Illustrator
Etsy
Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/nanaekawahara
Website:
http://www.barbaratics.com/
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hello!
I'm Nanae, living in Yokohama, Japan. Why I can speak/write English because I studied and lived
in London for three years and a half. After graduating BA Graphic
Design in Japan, I moved to the UK in 2009 for studying at MA
illustration course in Camberwell College of Arts. Then I started my
career after the course in 2010, I worked for book
cover/ZINE/magazine a little bit. Also I often join to art or craft
fairs to promote myself. In 2012, I was back to Japan to start my
work there. On the other hand, this is a weird thing, I got dogsick
(not homesick!) while I was in the UK. My family has a dog called
Nana (standard poodle bleed), she is third dog for us and has many
doggie friends as almost people in our home area have dogs. By
influencing this, I set up DOOOOOGS !! for my first solo exhibition,
I made around 40 portraits of my dog Nana's friends and expressed
funny events with them.
Thanks
so much, Trisha! and everyone who have a look this issue :)
When did you start creating and how long have you been on Etsy?
I
started my shop on Etsy from 15 December in 2010. I didn't supposed
to think about online shop four years ago, but I realized if I would
like to be a global artist and must use internet/online something
with my portfolio website. I thought it isn't good if I put only
artworks, I would have to supply any fun things to everyone.
Therefore, my shop has several style of stuffs. I normally like to
make toys (it's sold out at the moment), crafts… these are very
helpful for my shop.
How did you come up with your business name, is there any special
meaning behind it?
Nanae
Kawahara is my original name. Japanese has different characters the
one of them is called KANJI (originally from Chinese character. My
mom and aunt have NAE in their first names, which means a seedling.
My mom - Minae : Mi is beauty - so she is Beautiful Seeding. She
wanted to name me with that. Na..from Nanae… actually I don't know.
My parents chose it because sound is good.
Has your Etsy shop become your full time job? If not, would you like
it to be?
No…
but it's quite fun to manage my Etsy shop, I love interaction tool to
see connection with other fantastic crafty people.
How would you describe
your creative process?
The
best way is that I stay in my room alone with listening to my favorite music. I need to focus on making anything. And find what I
would like to make/describe on my works… I quite think about the
working process including the concept.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
music,
toys, textiles, fashion, graphic design, illustration…
walking
in a trendy town and country side, playing with dogs...
Do
you also sell your work at craft shows?
YES!
• What
shows have you taken part of, and do you have a favorite?
Recently
I continue to attend at Design Festa, which is the largest art event
in Japan. The event is fabulous! I liked BUST magazine craftacular in
London too.
• How long does it take
you to prepare for a show? Do you have any special methods of getting
ready?
It
depends on the schedule. I don't have any special things actually.
Last year, for my first solo show, I started to make works six months
before. Because I already know how many illustrations and items I
should make. However, I'm going to have second exhibition in the end
of November though, I'm very rushing for that! I'm now fighting with
the time as I have a lot of illustration jobs this month (quite
nervous!). I understand it isn't enough to prepare. It's like a game
to fight with your schedule and how to prepare yourself.
• Describe
an experience from a show (good or bad) and why that pushes you to
continue with your work
I
think good start for my solo exhibition, I'm very happy when people
visit and give me the feedback (of course there's not only positive,
also negative is there). Then I would like to continue. For DOOOOOGS
!!, I want to tell something which I learn from dogs. Although the
final point isn't clear, I will show a mysterious life by my first
dog Coo-tan for my next show, I guess he was left from his first
family.
What is your most cherished handmade item?
Toy
stuffs! I love toy stuffs. Although I sometimes make small things, I
wish I could make proper one.
Apart from creating things, what do you like to do?
Playing
a piano, listening to music, going to see gigs and exhibition,
walking around, window shopping…
Was there ever any other job you dreamed of having growing up?
Ummm…
a singer (with doing illustration) ? I had that dream when I was a
small girl. But it wasn't serious (just like going to Karaoke!) and I
didn't change my original mind thought being an artist.
Five years from now you will be…
Hope
I would be more famous! and I would like to work in many area.. want
to be multiple illustrator.
Describe yourself in
five words:
I
can't choose as I'm bad to choice words… artist, dog lover,
music lover, surrealist (I hope), unusual.
Carrying on with the
five theme, if I were to turn on your <insert whatever type of
music player you use here>, what five artists/songs would I see on
your recently played list?
I
listed five songs which I often listen…Love them! :
'In
Time To Voices' by Blood Red Shoes
'The
fountain' by Veronica Falls
'Blueberry
Boat' by The Fiery Furnaces
'Tsukema
Tsukeru' by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
'Fashion
Monster' by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone thinking about opening
their own shop or participating in craft shows?
I
can say please enjoy with your own world. And it would be great if
you find your customers and they look happy with your items.
