Kazuaki Maitani

What inspires you?

I have been inspired by many kind of media such as TV, movies, photos, other people's paintings and comics. Recently, watching a huge numbers of videos and images, I am often inspired by them.

Describe your creative process.

At first, I imagine a rough composition, find necessary materials (reference photos, etc.) and draw a rough sketch. Then when judging that I can do well, I may draw it on the panel as it is. Or if an image with precise details is needed, after processing the material image and adjusting the layout by using PC, I may also draw in rough with the draft image. I start to draw the most of my works after applying a base coat on the wood panel and sanding it flat so that it is easy to draw.

What are 3 words that best describe your work?

The 3 words are "cosmos", "time" and "weathering".

Who are some artists that have influenced your work?

They are Joan Miro, Salvador Dali and Paul Wunderlich, who are surrealist painter. I think that I was not very interested in ordinary expression and that it was surrealism that made me awakened to art in my boyhood.

What is the most important tool when creating your work?

A brush. According to the target, many kinds of brush with different sizes and shapes are needed.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

If you want to be a better painter than the other painters, draw more paintings than they. It is simple advice but is a truth.

Where do you go for inspiration?

I often get inspiration during walking at night and watching TV or movies.