10 Questions with water-ish

water-ish was born and raised in Miyazaki, Japan. When she was 17, right after graduating high school, she dragged her navy suitcase and moved to Santa Barbara, California. She got an A.A. degree in Studio-Art, SBCC, then moved to San Diego to continue her studies at the Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad. She graduated in Jewelry Design and Gemology with two diplomas in these fields (Applied Jewelry Arts & Graduate Gemologist). Later, She returned to Japan and started working as a Jewelry adviser at a Jewelry store in Kobe. Then, she started working at an American clothing company, and she was promoted quickly to work as a Store Manager and a Regional sales manager. She later moved to LA to work as a Jewelry Category Developer at their HQs. As soon as the company went bankrupt, she returned to Japan and started working as a Visual Merchandiser for some luxury brands. Life goes on.

www.water-ish.com | @water_ish

ARTIST STATEMENT

“I've never asked myself this typical question, "Are you an artist?".
Because I think we are all artists, including all the animals and the little insects in nature. Just being itself means something, and that's what I call its art. Making art for me is like inhaling and exhaling. If I stop making art, that means that is the end of my life. This sounds intense, though I think so. As we are living on this planet with all the miracles, we get to see and feel so many colors around us. The trees, the flowers, the skies, the stones, the sound, the wind, and everything. There is no need to hate or discriminate on the basis of color because we are all colorful and unique, each of us. People can hate colors in my artworks instead, and that's okay. I'm making art not to be loved but to love. If you knock on my door, I will open the door and throw my water at you, then I will let you react in whatever way you want. If you throw water at me, I'll catch your water with my mug and ask if you want some coffee, tea, or …..? I'd love to have a tea ceremony with you because you are now standing in front of me, having your mug in your hand. Well, I may just get wet because I didn't have my mug ready, or my mug is already full, then I will cry like a baby, though. (Or I may just laugh out loud because of this dramatic situation.) That's something to think about.”

— water-ish

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

Thank you for having me.
Hello, I'm water-ish. I was born and raised in Japan and moved to Santa Barbara, California, to study at SBCC right after graduating high school. I then moved to San Diego to continue my study at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad. I graduated from GIA with two diplomas in jewelry design and gemology (Applied Jewelry Arts and Graduate Gemologist). Then I came back to Japan and started working in the Jewelry/Fashion industry. After that, I was promoted and moved back to LA, but the company I worked for went bankrupt, and I came back to Japan. Then I started working as a visual merchandising specialist/Decorator for some luxury brands. Life goes on.
I began experimenting with these images a few years ago when I was submerged in a dark deep ocean. Well, it's a long story. I remember the first image I got was a navy blue face, like something popping out of my body when I coughed. 

You studied jewelry. How does it influence your work as an artist today?

As a graduate gemologist, I used to look into colored stones & diamonds under a microscope every day. I was amazed by the uniqueness of the inclusions inside of each colored stone and the variety of colors our mother earth creates. It is a miracle that there are so many colors around us, and I appreciate the lights and the sounds that make us see and feel those colors. 

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your artistic routine when working?

I sit in front of a blank sheet of paper, and I just start drawing. I sometimes draw while lying in my bed with a sketchbook on my lap. Whenever and wherever I draw like I inhale and exhale. I don't plan anything. I post my artworks on my Instagram every day, and according to the number of posts, I have more than 7000 pcs of portraits as of now. Someone told me I was insane, and I said I agreed. 

How do you choose the colors to work with? 

I don't choose the colors. I pick up the colors with my fate or the color that meets my eyes. Sometimes I pick up and use the color that I accidentally hit my hand and dropped on the floor. If I have tears in my eyes while I'm painting, I use my tears instead of water. Interestingly, I don't know what the image will look like until I put the brush down and say it's done—something like that. 

And what about the subjects of your works? Are those real people you have encountered, or are they imaginary characters? 

That's a very interesting question. Because every time I draw, I want to know where the image comes from. Maybe I'm mixing real people I've seen in my life with some characters I've imagined in my head. Is there anyone you know in my paintings? If so, that means I could be sort of a potential palm reader or a magician with no tricks whatsoever. 

How do you differentiate your work from the rest? In other words, what do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

You are unique as you are, and that is what makes you unique.
Although each of us is already different and unique, people tend to be the same as everyone, or try to be unique and end up being the same. Sometimes you realize your art piece looks just like other art pieces out there. And it's easier to copy the image the other person creates because you're not criticized as much. I think it's because everyone wants to be liked and understood. This is what's happening, especially in this art world. 
I could be a copycat and a painter who paints like a historically famous painter, or I could paint a portrait just like a real person in a photo, but somehow I don't. Well, I think "fan art" is beautiful, though. 
Rather, I want to live my life that is given, and I give something new back while I'm living on this planet. I make art not to be loved but to love. 

After jewelry design and watercolors, is there anything else you would like to experiment with?

Well, I want peace in this world. Unfortunately, it's not easy to call our world a peaceful place where war is going on and missiles are flying over our heads. 
I'm experimenting with my life to prove that art definitely helps us to find our hearts no matter what happens. 
Losing your heart means that you don't feel anything. You just can't. I believe that art will be there for you to feel your heart in you. Sometimes, you just don't want to feel anything because the world is too harsh and mean to you. The next thing you do is to listen to your favorite music to heal your heart. I mean, that's how we live our lives, and we need art. I would like to keep experimenting with that as long as I'm alive, whatever that means. 

How do you promote your work? And what do you think about the art community and market?

I'm not good at promoting my artworks as merchandise. 
Money! Money! Money! That's how I feel about the art community in this era. 
I'm here to keep crossing my fingers that my artworks are somehow tickling someone somewhere. If people feel it's either hate, love, or something as they see my artworks, that's priceless.
This year, I have donated some of my artworks to Townley Arts Foundation Inc., which was established for arts education and bringing art supplies to schools and hospitals in need. Also, I'm making merchandise like T-shirts and Mugs to donate my profit from the sales to the hearing dog association; and I designed a tote bag to donate 100% of the proceeds from sales of the tote bag to people of Ukraine. The profit will be donated and used for humanitarian aid. Please check out my website when you have a chance! Ok, this is how I promote my work. 

What are you working on now? 

I'm working on something very important. Stay tuned!

Finally, what are your goals for the new year?

To bake cookies perfectly.