Meet Kotaro

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kotaro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kotaro, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I’d say I’ve attained a degree of resilience from years of trial and error in my art, as well as from personal ups and downs. Criticism will also do a number on you depending on how you take it. Over time, I realized it wasn’t healthy to internalize it but rather transmute it into a learning lesson that can help me build character. Resilience is an intangible quality but I believe it takes a lifetime of constant effort. I’m certainly still working on it: sometimes it’s hard not to get in my feels. I also largely credit my mom, she’s a steely no-nonsense dame whose level of discipline is extremely inspiring.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a full-time Illustrator from Los Angeles working as a sketch artist for film posters and advertising campaigns. In the evenings, I work on concept art and manga for my portfolio. I’ve also been shaking things up a bit during intervals by making shirts and other accessories with more tailored aesthetics. Since it’s kind of hard to find certain looks in mainstream fashion, I just decided to try and make my own. It’s been a fun learning experience figuring out how customization works and what material is best for a certain style.
One of the many things I love about being an Illustrator is that if you’re willing to explore new ways of designing, it never gets boring. Contrary to what many people may think, Illustration has countless applications in business, books, and entertainment. For any new readers out there I always recommend following my social media to stay in the loop on my newest publications in real time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Tenacity, focus, and dedication to the craft have been absolutely essential in my journey. I also can’t stress enough the importance of being surrounded by people i.e family, friends, etc, who truly support and understand your pursuit. Admittedly, I’m still relatively new in the art industry but if I could give some advice to folks I would suggest reading, writing, and studying subjects like the arts or culture. Being mindful of what you learn even after school is essential for your art to grow. If you just clutter your headspace with trends and baseless things, the art you make (no matter how shiny) will be just that. Secondly, be flexible but don’t abandon your style for the sake of imitating someone else’s. The way they found success shouldn’t determine how you find it. Most importantly though, keep practicing and do your best.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Overthinking tends to be a major obstacle for me, especially when I’m right in the middle of a project. Fortunately, I’m trying to catch myself more often in order to prevent it from snowballing. When I start to feel like its creeping up on me, I’ll take a hike- quite literally. It’s pretty simple but going out to nature or a neighborhood walk helps me process my thoughts better than staying indoors all day. This keeps my activity levels up and gives me an explorer’s edge I didn’t know I had.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://boarandcrane.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boarandcrane
• Other: https://bento.me/boarandcrane