Hazu is a 17 year old Hungarian artist who started making art only for fun, but it soon turned into a lifelong love. When Hazu was in elementary school she received good grades and her parents wanted to send her to a harder school where she could study to be a doctor or lawyer. Hazu refused and although her parents wanted her to go in one direction they accepted her decision not to follow that path. Now they are her biggest fans and her biggest inspiration.

Most of Hazu’s creations are full of happy, bright things that are not in the least depressing, but often lift the spirits of viewers. Hazu loves to draw these types of images because of all the financial problems in her country. By creating such joyful pieces she can forget the troubles of everyday life in Hungary and the suffering many families go through. Her art has taught her that money is not everything.

ToonariPost (TP) How and when did you first start practicing your art (are you traditionally trained or self-taught)?

Hazu (H): As I remember, I started drawing in 2007 because of anime. I was only 12 and I drew for myself only. It was really fun because I didn’t have to draw to suit anyone, I could draw anything I wanted.

At first, I was self-taught, then I realized I wanted to go to a school for art, so I started at an art high school. Well, actually, it’s a school for art and sewing. Some kind of fashion designer school. We have to design a full collection and then we choose one costume and sew it. We have about 5 drawing lessons each week.

TP:What mediums do you use for your art work? Which is your favorite and why?

H: I like to try out as many mediums as possible. I have fun with alternative techniques, like coffee or tea, but my favorite is watercolor. Its a very unique medium which has many facilities and its fast. You can do awesome things in a very short time. It’s perfect for me. At school we use plenty of mediums, like aniline watercolor, coal, color pencils, pastel and lead pencil. We also try many tools for painting like sponges, toothbrushes and we use our hands sometimes to paint.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

H: I guess I have always been the most proud of my latest artwork, but my favorite is “The Moon and the Sun” since I finished it. I love how it came out, the colors and the floating pose. I think it’s my best traditionally made painting so far. I am always prouder of my traditional works than the digital ones.

TP: How would you describe your unique artistic style?

H: Well, I hope it’s unique enough. For me, it’s very important to be unique. I started with anime then I realized I wanted my own style, and if I have to be honest, I can’t remember how my present style came out. I just drew how I wanted to and then it’s slowly transformed into something new. I like to use bright colors, draw skinny people with big pointed noses and scarves.

TP: Among some of your pieces you have some that are fashion design. What caused you to turn to this area of art? Would you ever consider making your designs into actual clothing?

H: As I mentioned, in my school we learn art and sewing at the same time. I have regular art lessons but also have design lessons where we can learn how to make proper designs. Since the beginning I really enjoyed these lessons, mainly because we can make the clothes we imagined in our minds. We sew small things like skirts and shirts but we also have to sew our costumes for the year-end fashion show. Also this year I applied for a competition. We had to design and sew a special wedding dress.

TP: Who are some of your favorite fashion designers and why? What makes your designs unique?

H: I don’t have a favorite fashion designer because I’m not really into this fashion thing. Of course I love clothes and I love to design them, also wear them, but I never look around at professional fashion. But the Hungarian fashion designers are incredible. I think there are a lot of good designers in my little country as I look around, but I’m not a professional so I can’t judge it properly.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. How did you overcome them?

H: When I started it I only drew for fun, so I never thought about the proper anatomy or things like that. Because of that reason I never hit any bumps. I just drew however I wanted to and what I wanted to. But this year I had some problems with drawing. I think all artists have art blocks and my advice is to wait. Don’t force yourself to draw, just wait until you get inspired. It helped for me.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

H: I get a lot of inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki and his films. He’s truly amazing. He creates simple and lovely characters and also his stories are fantastic. My other inspiration is DeviantART. There are so many awesome talents there especially Phobs. I really adore his work and stuff. I check his gallery once every day and I hope I can be a unique and awesome artist like him one day.

TP: What artists would you consider working with to do a piece?

H: Haha, I’m not good enough yet to work with any big artists. For now i just draw, draw, draw and after I finish university I will think about a partnership.

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

H: Digital media. I love traditional media but in digital you have many more possibilities. Some artists can do awesome things in digital media, monumental breathtaking pieces. I hope I can make digital paintings like them one day.

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

H: I want to make it a career, I hope I will succeed. I don’t know my goals yet. I will have plenty of time a university to think about them.

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

H: It has not influenced mine at all! It’s very strange, by the way, but my home country is the least of my inspirations. I really love it and like living here, but I can’t get inspired from it.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

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.

Related Posts

Briah Neale on the Rise: From Instagram to Stardom

A budding artist has recently been thrust into the limelight all due to a single Instagram re-post by megastar Beyoncé. A couple weeks ago, 20-year-old Baltimore artist, Briah Neale posted her painting of Beyoncé on her Instagram...

Artist Spotlight: Illustrator and Animator Hannah Ayoubi, Part 2

Hannah Ayoubi, illustrator and animator, is currently studying at California Institute of the Arts. She has created award winning animations, as well as bringing inspiration to many aspiring artists. In this interview and on her blog,...

Artist Spotlight: Illustrator and Animator Hannah Ayoubi, Part 1

Illustrator and animator Hannah Ayoubi combines her quirky style with her passion for character design, her adorable dog, and her favorite veggies in each of her works. Take a deeper look into her world by visiting her blog...