OxCreative

Interview with Kazumi Hirota

Last Month we ran a competition for a lucky artist or designer to be our september feature and here’s the winner: Kazumi Hirota.

Born and raised in the UK and a graduate of Central Saint Martins, she now resides and works in London. With a peculiar hand-drawn style, Kazumi creates worlds of bizarre creatures and characters and is not only an illustrator but animator too!

We thought we’d ask Kazumi a few questions:

OxCreative:

So Kazumi, we hope you are happy to feature on OxCreative.com – how
are things in London? tell us a bit about yourself!

Kazumi:

Thank you for having me! It’s unusually sunny at the moment, so I’m
keeping my fingers crossed. I studied illustration, came out with a
portfolio full of animation, and now am concentrating on illustration
again. I like learning new things, so I have a pretty diverse skill
set. My recent skill is growing tomatoes.

OxCreative:

Me too! Though a wave of slugs, snails and catepillars pretty much ate my garden!
It’s never polite to ask a lady her age, so can we ask how long have
you been illustrating?

Kazumi:

Since I could hold a pencil!

OxCreative:

What do you get up to when your not slaving away over the drawing board?

Kazumi:

I write music and play the odd gig here and there to keep the
creative juices flowing.

OxCreative:

Awesome! Now a lot of budding artists, illustrators and designers would love to
freelance but aren’t sure of what steps to take… what would be your
top tips for those wishing to freelance?

Kazumi:

Not sure I’m in a position to be giving people advice!.. but I would
say perseverance. Rejection is just part of the game isn’t it?

OxCreative:

Unfortunately in design and illustration it is part of the game!
The first thing we noticed is that you have an awesome style of illustration – which artists and
illustrators inspire you?

Kazumi:

I watched a lot of cartoons, (and still do) both from Japan and the west- so I guess my style reflects the kind of characters I grew up with. I loved the Carebears!!

OxCreative:

Do you listen to music whilst you work? if so, what music?

Kazumi:

I have a stupidly electric (bad?) taste in music- anything from
cheesy Japanese Pop to the Gypsy Kings, to Frank Zappa. Whatever fits
my mood. It has to be very loud though- which might be why I’m a bit
deaf.

OxCreative:

hmmm… that doesn’t sound too healthy! Do you ever get creative block? If so, what do you do to get past it?

Kazumi:

Sleeping on it always helps!

OxCreative:

Can’t get enough sleep! What is your favourite piece of work you have created and why?

Kazumi:

I don’t really have a favourite- I guess it’s usually the last one I created.

OxCreative:

What products do you use for your illustration and art?

Kazumi:

Pentel Brush Calligraphy pens, Pilot drawing pens, Copic markers,
pencils, photoshopping, elephant ear wax, goldfish brains…

OxCreative:

Goldfish brains hmm…I imagine its a bit difficult to apply! If there’s one illustrator/studio/company that you would like to work with, who would it be?

Kazumi:

NINTENDO!

OxCreative:

Where do you aim to be in 5 years from now?

Kazumi:

I’d like to be travelling around, maybe live in France or the States for a while. I’d also like a cat. Called Anchovy. And he’d have a pet passport and come with me.

OxCreative:

Nice! What do you prefer…
Marker Pens or Pencils?

Kazumi:

Markers!

OxCreative:

Paints or Inks?

Kazumi:

Ooh… paints!

OxCreative:

Tea or Tequila?

Kazumi:

I can’t get through the day without my cuppa’ in the morning…

OxCreative:

It’s all about the PG Tips! Well thank you Kazumi for your time!

Well folks, there you have it – Kazumi Hirota, illustrator, musician, care-bear lover, and all-round lovely person! Definitely an illustrator to watch out for!