Hakumo is both a digital and traditional artist with pieces featured in a variety of art books including Kingdom Carousel, Quixotic, and GAIA. Each of these art books’ proceeds go towards a charitable cause (St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, and the Red Cross of Colombia, respectively). Hakumo’s skills range from digitally drawn fanarts of anime and other interests to creating fantastical pieces inspired from childhood memories.

ToonariPost (TP): What artists would you consider working with to do a piece? Why, and what type of work do you think would come from this partnership? If not, what are your reasons?

Hakumo (H): For the time being, I’m not mentally ready to work with other artists. As far as I know I have a strong urge to control. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be fair to the other partner if that happens. If I need to do it, something that’s humorous or playful, like maybe working with friends or people I already know is a possibility, or doing a meme of sorts actually feels like a way I could work with the artists who made it (and most of the time the answers are pretty much, ridiculous, haha).

TP: If there was any art medium that you wish you could master, what would it be and why?

H: All! Well, that would be too good to be true. As for me, I would like to master pencil and pen. I was inspired by manga and aspire to do my own comic one day. I think the two are a fundamental part of starting it. Not just that, it’s simply amazing how a piece of work can look with just a pencil or a pen! To be honest, I think there’s never enough practice for any medium, you keep finding different ways to play with it and that’s never boring.

TP: You are taking part in the charity art book project, Kingdom Carousel. Can you tell me more about how you became a part of this project? How did you choose an art piece to be used in the project?

H: I was kindly invited by the organizer and it was a great pleasure for me! How I chose the piece: there were 3 or 4 ideas to choose from. From them I took one that fit the criteria first, and then one I had the urge to do very much, to make sure I expressed the feeling well. The ideas are mostly my impression of (my) childhood; warmth, comfort, whimsicality, and fantasy because when you’re a kid it seems like your mind is at the wildest, isn’t it?

The piece submitted is the one I wanted to do at that moment, I loved working on it; crazy hours but I learned a lot. When I have time in the future I would love to complete the other ideas as well.

TP: What is your most memorable moment from any convention you have been to?

H: Aside from learning to organize, I got to meet people who enjoy doing what I enjoy to do! Not just the artists’ themselves (in real life!), but also people who enjoy the artworks: people who’re willing to buy, even just saying that they like it. I met people I didn’t know before and they became my friends. I think that is one experience you don’t get often.

TP: What are your goals in life?  Do you plan to continue art as a hobby or make it a career?

H: Both. Career sounds so formal doesn’t it? I like to think of it more as making art as a living. If I can make what I love to do that will be the best job one can have in the world! As for life itself, I want to make it as enjoyable as possible, learning new things as much as possible, and go with what chances greet me on the way.

TP: Do you feel that your culture has influenced you in some way that makes you different than other artists?

H: Quite likely. One thing I realized was it wasn’t as comfortable for me in exposing things that are rather personal because I was taught to keep low and safe. I still think I do now. There are so many safely kept ideas because of that. Although, recently, memorable things from my childhood or personal favorites keep appearing in my works, so I take it as a positive thing. Gradually I hope to conquer this habit.

TP: Can you tell me more about your background?  What experiences brought you to be the person you are today?

H: Ah, nothing interesting about my background except that I was born in a family with no artistic background. The support of family, friends, and people I meet or know me, online or offline is what brought me to what I am now. Without them I would probably be somewhere not knowing how to draw. Thinking back on that, I regard this as a great blessing and luck.

Image Courtesy of  Hakumo

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About the author

Kala Istvanek
Presently, I am attending Carthage College in Kenosha, U.S.A. I will be graduating with a degree in Asian Studies, with a minor in English and Studio Art. I have been a bookworm ever since I could read and I can never turn down a book. Art is also one of my loves and discovering new artists is always a thrill for me.

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