Mentor

I had an opportunity to refresh my heart that has swayed recently.

Then there was someone popping in my head.

He is Yoshitomo Nara.

He is from Hirosaki city where is the next door to my home-town in Japan.

His artwork is well known to people all over the world. (you'll know when you google his name.)

His characters have not only ordinal pretty looking face but also look angry.

His sentences touch my heart comfortably every time I open his books.

I feel a mysterious connection with him. (without him knowing of course! ;-) ).

When I returned to my parents' house several years ago, I visited Hirosaki for strolling window-shopping, taking a local train for 1 hour or less.

In Hirosaki, I met my friend on the street by accident (what a coincident it was) and she told me there was a private exhibition of Nara at a local sake factory.

I had no reason not to go so I decided to spend some time at the gallery.

Once I saw the character of his, I instantly knew I have seen them before. And was impressed to know the world well known artist was from my next-door.

I remember my heart felt pumped. I didn't wanna leave there as if I would loose the feeling if I did so. (the atmosphere was so comfortable.)

I loved every bits of his artworks. I couldn't see him personally at the event but even if I could, I didn't know what to talk... I can be too shy. ;-)

After the event, the feeling stayed in my hear for a while. Another years later I bought his books (one was Nara note which I introduced before.)

I was attracted to his work even more. I wanted to live in his world. His expression of feeling and thoughts were perfect for me.

When I think about my future with a heart blank, a work of Nara and another artist Jim Houser came out to a head.

I don't have any background in art industry (I'm just a fan of some artists) but it is fascinating me always.

How difficult it is to keep expressing oneself though works without failure? Not many people get fame out of it. Most artists would struggle to get 'there' yet they won't stop making art.

I know the feeling although I haven't even started to get 'there'.

Sometimes it gets praised Sometimes it's treated like a rubbish.

In such times it is important to have a faith in ourselves.

Believe in ourselves. Trust the future. Go! Go!

I want to communicate with the people I admire if I have to.

Thank you, everyone.