MIKA
As we prepare for a possible lockdown in the UK I can't help but wonder how this would be without the Internet and our ability to communicate with each other around the world. Yes, I do sometimes get overwhelmed and hesitate to say this, but sometimes I also wish it wasn't this much a part of our daily life but at the same time I'm forever looking on the bright side as cheesy as that may seem! I just prefer to look at the positive rather than the negative and for now the most positive thing about the Internet is the human connection it can bring to us all.
I've been somewhat searching through the Internet recently trying to find what I really want to see and whom I want to connect with.
My passion for creativity has led me to search for artists creating work that catches my attention.
Today I speak with Mika, a professional, self-taught artist based in Portland, Oregon. She is inspired by the many emotions that can be conveyed through the human form. She specialises in portraiture, and enjoys working with numerous mediums such as watercolours, pencil and acrylic paints.
What is your favourite medium to work with, if you have one?
I really enjoy exploring the unique qualities that various mediums can carry, so I frequently switch between them, but I would say a mixture of pencil and watercolours is probably my favourite.
How long have you been drawing and do you remember what inspired you?
I don't remember exactly when I started, but I was drawing as much as I could as a kid. I began home schooling when I was 9 and I think at that point art became more of an obsession, rather than just a hobby.
What inspires you when you start a new piece of work?
For me, inspiration can come in many forms. Sometimes I'll just wake up with a clear vision and want to draw it out right away. Other times there might be a more specific and sentimental feeling or experience that I want to capture and I'll take my time sketching out concepts until I feel like I've gotten it right.
Who is your favourite artist that you look up to?
There are so many incredible artists out there who I find inspiring, but Hayao Miyazaki is probably the one I look up to the most. I think his films are the coolest things to art that I've ever witnessed. I grew up watching his films but no matter how many times I see them they never cease to blow me away.
What is your favourite work you have created so far and why?
My favourite piece is always my newest. I'm constantly developing my art style so I feel like my best work is always ahead of me.
Find Mika's link below x