Artist Spotlight: Naoko Aoyama

Today's artist spotlight is Naoko Aoyama who is a fantastic artist from Tokyo Japan. She is 34 years old. Her birthday is March 22^nd.

For her art she uses her initials as a signature which is also the first two letters of her first name. She works the best in her room where she can concentrate the easiest. She loves to draw people and most of the time is inspired to draw by magazine covers.

Naoko doesn't remember when she first started to draw however her parents tell her it was before she entered kindergarten. She became an artist because it was a simple joy to create something on her own. She states "drawing was one of the easiest ways to bring the ideal world into visible shape."

Naoko draws as a hobby rather than it being a full time job. She currently works as an Internet web designer, mostly doing system interface designing. She is not currently working on any arts but would like to draw a completely imaginary portrait as well as draw some more portraits from magazines.

She is driven to draw by not forcing herself to draw. If she doesn't feel like drawing, she doesn't draw. She states "drawing is supposed to be fun, because I want to feel good about myself." She loves to draw with pencils. She believes they fit her well. Once she has drawn with her pencils, she then scans the work into the computer and digitally enhances the work.

Naoko has several family members who also have artistic talent and are creative. Her grandmother was very good at carving wood. Her uncle was an architect who also had a talent to paint. Her mom enjoys various crafts.

Naoko's favorite thing about being an artist is when she finishes a drawing she feels really good about herself. Drawing is an easy and simple joy to her and it is a great way for her to get self satisfaction. Her least favorite thing about being an artist is the time it takes to finish one of her pieces.

She admires Norman Rockwell and Alfons Mucha. She believes they are not just superb in techniques but their artwork expresses humanity.

She admits that she has never wanted to give up however she has had times where she would take breaks due to loss of motivation. Generally during rough times in life such has her divorce. However, because drawing was what her heart wanted and she had other skills to learn she picked up the pieces and started to draw again.

When asked her view point on her images and art usage on the Internet she states "For me, it is just a hobby, so I really feel welcome about the people using my artworks on the Internet. I even feel honored to have my artwork used by someone, especially when it is credited. At the same time, I also respect the famous artists who would disagree with my unawareness of copyright. For those people who are making a living out of their talent, their right should be protected."

Naoko does not sell her art as she would like to keep them since they are such a great part of her life.

In her spare time she likes to ride motorcycles, take photographs and fly since she has a private pilot license.

Naoko's message to children is it can be a long journey to find what truly makes you happy but it is worth searching. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because you will learn a lot from these mistakes. You are born to be happy. She states "your body is the instrument of expressing love. So be it!"

Her message to aspiring artists is to listen close to your heart. If you feel joy from whatever you are doing, you should be on the right course. Don't worry too much about technique. Art is not about the neatness, but about your heart.

Naoko's art can be found at Omnipot.

Naoko's message to all our viewers is, "I think people already know what they really want to do on the day they were born. Children seem to know what they like and dislike without any assist. If we could keep those pure spirits throughout the lifetime, life could be much easier."

I hope you have all enjoyed learning more about the wonderful life and art of Naoko Aoyama. She has wonderful art and I am sure you will all love it as well. Please visit her site and leave your comments on her art for her.