Yumiko Kayukawa

Something I like about a lot of your work is that it can be at times quite childish and sort of sweet; suddenly there is a girl with a whip or one bent over a vaulting horse suggesting a fairly overt sexuality. Is that something that you yourself specifically like to explore or do you think it is more a product of your culture, as that aesthetic has become quite famous in Japan?

First I have to say that I know my style is sweet and sexy, but many times I don't realize how sexy 'till people tell me; especially with the painting "Vaulting Horse". I was surprised when I heard people say, "Oh my!” The style I create is just what comes naturally to mind. The fact is that girls are cute and sexy even without being naked. It's basically the feeling like Hello Kitty, but real life. People love cute things like Hello Kitty, but in real life that cuteness can also be sexy. There are many other opposites that I like besides sweet and sexy; such as tough/macho and cute. I think it's because I like lots of things that aren't sexy or cute, yakuza film for example, in the same way everyone likes a mixture of things and styles. But of course I'm inspired by Japanese culture – the Japanese aesthetic for sexy - I know it's different than other countries. I actually have a book called "men's adventure". It's a book containing illustrated American men's magazine covers. What impressed me most was the "big imagination" of men. I was very interested to see what American men find sexy. There were so many sexy things that I’ve never imagined. I think same kind of thing happens when people see my work.

What is your process like? Are you a workmanlike artist; do you have a set schedule that you adhere to, even a casual one, or can you only paint when the moment actually grabs you? Do you enjoy painting or is it more something you feel compelled to do?

Usually anytime an idea comes up to my mind, I jot it down on my lists. I already have tons of lists of titles for paintings. Sometimes it's only the title and sometimes I also note a vision for the piece. Then when I start to make a piece, I just pick one that matches my feeling at the time. I start with very, very rough sketch (just circles and lines) on any rough paper and then I draw on a paper of the same size as the finished piece. I don't really have all the details when I create a sketch. Most of the details for the idea come when I draw for the final version. When the drawing is finished, I trace it onto the canvas or board. Then I get to start painting (my favorite part!). Once I start painting I’m a painting machine. It's too much fun and too hard to stop. I almost feel like I don't want to do anything else except paint. My biggest fear is not being able to finish the ideas on all my lists before my life ends. They keep growing and growing...

You studied art at the BISEN Art School in Sapporo what was the most important things that experience taught you? Was it a positive experience for you? I know a lot of artists how bristle at the idea of being educated about Art. What do you think the difference is between people who seek out that kind of structured education and those who won’t go near it?

The reason why I studied at BISEN Art School wasn't to be an artist. When I was high school, I was drawing MANGA, and I was hoping I could make a living as a MANGA artist. That's not easy to do though. I was thinking that maybe some kind of design/art job might enable me to keep drawing MANGA. My parents helped me go to BISEN actually. It’s an art school, but more like professional training school. I studied graphic design and illustration, also how to use different techniques
and mediums. My home town was very small and had no art supply store. So it was really exciting to learn about all those different ways of creating artwork. But to make it as an artist, I don't know if school really helps or not. I know a lot of people who are great artists, musicians too, after they graduate from art school. maybe it's because of their school education, maybe they already had the talent, maybe having the experience and/or chances make people creative... anyway, I think saying "go to art school to be an artist" is too much to expect. For me art is in the spirit just like rock n' roll. Life and everything around me affects my art spirit. We can see an old rock star that has no rock n' roll spirit anymore keep on playing on the big stage just because they are a big name. Maybe they studied how to play music from friends, a teacher or a big brother, but the spirit you can't get from an education. It’s born in your heart and might even die someday - same thing with art. You can study how to use brushes, paints, techniques, but the spirit only grows in your mind by way of the heart.

I know you probably get this question a lot and for that I am sorry, but I am genuinely interested in the constant recurring theme and appearance of animals in your work. Do certain animals mean specific things to you, or are they more representative of a more general idea?

Basically I just love animals and I love to draw them; ever since I was little. Sometimes I pick animals for a specific meaning, like a hyena for my hungry girl painting or a Japanese crane to pair with a girl
wearing a kimono as symbol of Japan. Most of the time though I just add animals on a whim. My feeling is that we shouldn't touch or get close to wild animals. We should let them be wild. My work is a way to express my fantasy, my dream - to hang out with wild animals.

If you could do one impossible thing what would it be?

To take a nap with a bunch of tigers; like sleeping on TOTORO's belly.

What do you think would happen to you if you woke up tomorrow and had completely lost the ability to paint?

I would do all the other hobbies I have that I can't make time for.

You have a fabulous website but you are not a fan of computers are you? Why not?

Actually, not just computers, I don't have curiosity about any kind of "machine". Not because of any specific reason...

I get the feeling you like movies and music a lot. There is a real pop-culture feeling to your work if you don't mind me saying. I don't usually use the term myself but a lot of your pieces really seem to feel like you adore that kind of thing.

I just love to draw and paint. I wasn't and I am not, a huge art fan. I'm much more curious about music and movies, MANGA and cartoons; one of my favorite cartoons when I was a child was Tom & Jerry. It made me laugh so hard. I still love funny things. That sort of thing is my inspiration for making funny references in my paintings.

From what I can tell you sell just about every single painting that you produce - do you ever feel separation anxiety when you they are taken away? Are their any that you regret selling and wish you could have back? What is your personal connection emotionally to your work once you have decided the piece has been completed?

I wish they were still all mine! I can't say any one specifically. I always talk to my paintings before I ship them to the gallery, “goodbye...take care...so long..." it might be strange, but they are all my little babies. I hope they bring happiness to their new owners.

Your work looks more like it should be wall to wall in cities and on t-shirts and clothing and posters and such things. I hope you don't take that offensively I just meant to me its very 21st century and I would love see it out and about in the streets instead of hanging on a wall in a gallery somewhere. Are you interested in mass production on a commercial level?

I want to be careful about that. It’s fun to see my merchandise everywhere, but sometimes the products don't turn out the way I want. I hate that feeling of disappointment and/or frustration. I’m learning more as I go along. I hope to feel more comfortable with this sort of thing in the future.