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"Midsummer Night's Dream" by Kinuko Y. Craft © Copyright Kinuko Y. Craft. All Rights Reserved. Paintings in this interview may not be reproduced in any manner whatsover. For further information visit David Delamare's Official Site: www.kycraft.com Kinuko Y. Craft was born in Japan. She has received praise from all over the world for her enchanting and breathtaking artwork, including five gold medals from The Society of Illustrators NY annual exhibitions, the Hamilton Award, the Grand Master Award 2002, the Spectrum 7 Gold Award 2000, the Franklin Mint Museum Best in Show, the Best Hard Book cover, among many, many other recognitions. Kinuko has done dozens of exhibits in the US, Canada and Japan. Her illustrations have graced Time Magazine, Newsweek, National Geographic, Forbes Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and other publications. She has painted the most beautiful images to famous children book characters, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Tom Thumbs. Her illustrations can also be seen on the covers of famous books written by literary maestros such as Carl Sagan, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, and on reprints of William Shakespeare. Kinuko Y. Craft resides in Connecticut with her husband Mahlon Craft and her two German shepherds, Wolfgang and Portia. Artist Interviews entered her magical world, to know more about this extraordinary artist. It was an honor to interview Kinuko Y. Craft. Interview by Marisa Darnel Artist Interviews: Kinuko, you began painting since your early youth. Your paintings have the touch of the Grand Masters of the Renaissance. Did you have that style since you begin to paint? Kinuko Y. Craft: At first, I drew from my thoughts and with the joy of holding some colors in my hand. From grade school through my high school days, my effort was to imitate nature--anything natural. My art school days were a time of transition and restructuring. After I entered the world of commercial art, I worked in a large variety of styles and mediums. Beginning about 10 years ago when I began creating paintings for picture books, I gravitated to the oil over water color style I use now, becoming more and more wrapped up in my own thoughts and dream world. AI: You have received so many awards and praise for your work. Would you please tell us about your first success and how you felt. KYC: Those awards and praise are like pats on the shoulder. I need them as an approval on what I have done. But unfortunately I am my ultimate judge. I know my struggle to create something more perfect will never end. In that sense, I will never have success.
"Ombria
in Shadow" by Kinuko Y. Craft.
"The
Tower at Stoney Wood" by Kinuko Y. Craft.
KYC:
I paint in oil over watercolor on Strathmore Illustration board. First
I do a tight drawing, then over paint it with watercolor. After that,
I seal the surface with Krylon brand Crystal Clear, then paint over
it again with very small (zero) Windsor Newton series 7 brushes and
oil colors. AI: Can you tell us how you worked with Ray Bradbury? KYC: Through Playboy Magazine. AI: You illustrate children’s books, novels and magazines covers, being inspired by the book's content. If I asked you to create a painting now, what images would come to your mind? KYC: Nothing. I must have something to reflect into my mind-- a theme, story, or some concrete subject matter. AI: Being such an exquisite artist we would like to know what paintings hang on your walls at home. KYC: I am uneasy about reviewing my own work, so it rarely hangs on my own walls. Instead, I have calendars, appointment cards and important papers I shouldn't loose scotch taped to my studio wall.
"Cupid
& Psyche" by Kinuko Y. Craft.
"Biting
the Sun" by Kinuko Y. Craft.
"Angel"
by Kinuko Y. Craft. AI: What is your favorite music? KYC: Any sound that reflects nature. AI: What’s a day in the life of Kinuko Y. Craft? KYC: Normally, I wake up at about 8:00 and walk my dog Wolfgang, then I fix breakfast for him, Portia--an abandoned part Shepherd mix--and myself. After that, I paint till lunch. Then give Wolfgang his mid-day walk and work in my studio till late afternoon when my husband Mahlon joins me and the doggies for a walk together. After this, in the summer I attend to my flower garden, then feed my "pups," which brings me to the dinner table. Finally, around 9 or 10PM, I go back to painting, till I get too tired and collapse into bed--usually after midnight. You Can Visit Kinuko Y. Craft's Official Site at: www.kycraft.com |
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