Hi Renkai! Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Your work is stunning. How are you today, and have you been creating new artwork recently?
I am very well, thank you!
I did a little sketch of my dog Brick today. Between every big work, I usually would take a short break to doodle around or take small-scale commissions (mostly illustration works). I found it really helpful for creating a better work forward. Back to your question, I just finished a big work which was 'Lotus' a couple of weeks ago. I feel like my break will be finished very soon, so yeah, I'll start working on something new very soon!
Lotus
Have you or are you planning on having an exhibition?
I haven’t, to be honest. And I never vividly imagine myself as an artist having his solo exhibition. Because I will probably have to say hello to lots of people, which could be a bit challenging for me due to my introverted personality. Also, I started my career as an artist/illustrator relatively late, after several years of working as an in-house designer. Thus I always have these thoughts in the back of my head, such as 'my next work will be better!' or, 'I’ll hold an exhibition on the day I have 15 better works!'. Of course, that day never comes. I might do something exhibitory soonish as I’ve received many super encouraging and positive feedbacks recently, we will see.
Your work is exceptionally detailed, on average how long does it take you to finish a piece?
Let’s take ‘Forage’ for example, I had perched at my desk for approximate 50 hours for making this piece. Yet this amount of time doesn’t include the time Iformulate and regurgitate the concept. So to be literally speaking, everyartwork could take weeks or months to finish.
Red Garden
Red Garden (details)
Do your other interests influence your art?
Watching people! It sounds a bit creepy, but one of my favourite activities is watching people on a busy street. On my trip to Kyoto, Japan a few years ago,
I spent literally a whole day sitting in a cafe that is located adjacent to the Kamo River. The riverbank is a popular walking spot for tourists and residents. I watched pedestrians passing through Shijo-Ohashi Bridge, like the whole city of people was under my scrutiny hahaha. You will be surprised how much excitement and joy will be brought to you by watching people. Such as realising the fact that people would actually lean forward in their upper body when they are in a rush. I think this interest somehow affects the way I compose and self-critic my works. Because it hones my ability to properly observe something.
Night Blossom
What medium do you use?
Acrylic, graphite, colour pencil and a huge proportion of digital programs. I was actually, at a stage, embarrassed by my digital arts, as this media is commonly perceived as untraditional or easy. Then I realised that there are lists of great artists in the realm of drawing and painting who adopt this media. Such as Vera Molnár, Deborah Oropallo, Harold Cohen and Mike Winkelmann (a.k.a. Beeple). Let alone all the talented photographers and illustrators who use digital tools in this digital era. 'You are a great artist, as long you can aesthetically execute the concept of your artwork with the right mediums/tools of your choice.’ I constantly tell myself so!
After War, Fine Art Print
How would you describe your art style?
Tough question! But a great one! I haven’t found a term that I can use to categorise and introduce my art style yet, at least not in an easy or brief way. Like saying 'yeah cubism is my style'. ‘I want it for those who view my works, to feel a sense of drifting, wandering and meditating' is the best way I could put it with my limited terminological knowledge. That being said, I initially got into drawing when I saw the works ofAubrey Beardsley, an English illustrator in the 19th century. I really like the erotic, the grotesque, and the decadent in his works. I hope I can reproduce those qualities.
Your artworks such as ‘Jeremy’, compared to, ‘Forage’ are uniquely different in colour and style. Would you say your art style changes depending on your mood?
Oh, it’s the 'time'! Jeremy is from 2018. You can see it on my website because it’s one of the few works I like from the early stage of my drawing and painting. Yeah, it’s quite obvious that my style has changed a lot. In the beginning, I started out by mimicking the styles of artworks I had found onPinterest. Most of them were Japanese woodblock printing (Ukiyo-e) andTibetan Buddhist painting (Thanka). Gradually, under the influence of an invisible and mysterious force, and countless self-doubts. I have developed an artistic style that is far from what I started with.
Forage
Jeremy
Aside from creating incredible art, what else do you get up to?
I’ve been very into pouring latte arts these days. And Brick (my dog!) is very happy about my recent hobby because he gets to have all the steamed milk left. I can now pour a tulip without it looking like a male external genital (the comment I received from my boyfriend for my first latte art). So I am making good progress here I think
Do you currently sell your work?
I do! I got a little online store where I sell some fine art prints (giclée prints) of the works I have been inquired to produce. They look much better when you hold them in your hands (I’m not very good at photographing haha). So feel free to check them out! www.renkai.com.au/store