Anime and Manga Interview - xadako

My current activities IRL is stalking people, going to anime-cons, expanding my social networks, and going everywhere I want I have many interests and I always love to know new things! I guess that makes me a very skillful searcher and observer. *w*
I love vintage style, Japanese culture and foods, and collecting items (like postcards, bookmarks, keychains etc etc).

As you can see, I'm still in improving-learning phase, that's why I have so many different art styles. Actually, you can even call me "greedy" cause I always want to learn EVERY and ALL kind of art styles~ but I'm into anime/manga style and sketchy/messy/whateveryoucalledit coloring style. I cannot color cell-shade no matter how much I try. I am interested in oekaki and semi-realism, right now I'm trying to make some for practices, but I know that the usual style always fits best! Oh, while we're at this topic, I could draw most kind of ambiences... I think. Like, the cute moemoe stuffs with big sparkling eyes, 'dark' and cool people with more glowing stuffs, illustration, sketches etc etc. «

What first interested you about art and what made you start to take it more seriously?

» I have a very... weird reason lol. So, you see, when I was in grade 1 of elementary school, my sisters made me draw a comic panel in order to compete with me. I drew a story of a chicken who lost its way home deep inside a forest. I still remember how they laughed at my weird "sweating chicken".
Then, a few weeks later they came back and told me how to draw a human face. Ever since that day, I could only draw the same thing over and over (obviously because that was the only anime drawing I ever saw!). In short, I started doing commissions for my classmates and that continues till I entered junior high. I met a few new friends who shared the same interests with me, and we exchanged information and stuffs about arts a lot.
And when I entered high school, I truly learnt how to draw properly; things about proportionality, coloring, and styles. If you're asking about what makes me "continue on", then I have to say it is none other than my love and passion to arts. <3 When you really like something, you don't need any reasons to do it. If you do need a reason, then maybe it really is not important enough for you ; ) «

How much do you think that the roots and origins of Art affect what we create today?

» Hmm.... What a difficult question... Frankly speaking, I don't think people out there still interested enough in stuff about art. I mean, some people study about the history of art, but most people just draw whatever they want, whenever they want, the way they want. :3 Um, what do you call it again? Being "theoretical"? "Textbook answer"?
But, I am grateful to whoeverwhatever created arts. Without the histories, there won't be any of us today! «

So, inspiration from another image/artist + inspiration from the song lyrics = new fresh original idea!
Talking about originality, this is the hardest part! Sometimes you may be "inspired" by other artists, but careful not to do plagiarism! Although I have to admit it is really hard, you could accidentally and unconsciously draw the same scene since the original piece is still attached in your mind. Nothing can be done... I just have to find another way to draw without losing my originality.  «

What do you consider the most iconic artwork of all time?

» I don't know how to answer this question properly, but... if you're talking about painting, we all recognize Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" or Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"as the most famous painting by famous artist blah blah blah.
Personally, yuumei's artwork always be my favorite. They are not "just" beautiful, but breathtaking and most of them have deep meanings. Well, actually the reason for liking her pieces much is because I admire her way to use the net not to increase global warming, but instead to save nature and the world. «

How did you discover DeviantArt? What made you stay?

» I was searching for a website to display my artwork, since sometimes I needed it to enter in online art competitions. Then, I visited DeviantArt in year 2010 but had a bug back then that refused new registry. :c
So, I made an account somewhere and after a year, I came back and finally I made my account here. Looking back, it was really a lonely days without anyone to watch me, and I posted my fugly lame old arts and only a few people commented. Then, I just went hiatus for a year and came back in year 2012. I drew a lot of Powerpuff Girls/Z fanarts back then, and it gained me more watchers! Then, more people recognize me; I was asked for requests and commissions.

Thanks to all of them, I'm still here even after 2 years, with myself keep improving (I even have a tablet now, due to my broken mouse). I made friends here and met people from the same country too! Every friend of mine here is precious, and the even the smallest stuffs like favorites, comments, features, everything means a lot to me. ;333
And most likely, I love DeviantArt because.. unlike some kind website (not saying what), there are barely rude random comments. No overly jokes too. When someone commented, it must be related to art and design, not just some random comments like "what the hell this is ugly" or "you suck" etc etc. People always give me constructive critiques and positive feedback. c: «

Thank you

xadako!