2012 Golden Nosey Interview

"He NOSE what it takes to win," An interview with Taka Watanabe, Winner of the Golden Nosey Award for 2012.

Article Transcript

EF: Tell us about your personal background.
I come from Fukushima, Japan. My home town is surrounded by a beautiful lake and mountains. My parents both work as office workers and my only younger brother is a professional boxer. I went to school in Fukushima and graduated from an art college in Tokyo. I have been drawing portraits since I was three years old.

EF: What is your artistic background? Did you go to school for art?
I studied Graphic Design at Tokyo Designer Academy. I learned drawing from a teacher of Japanese art when I was in high school. Since then I have enjoyed drawing.

EF: How long have you been drawing caricatures? Where did you first learn to draw caricatures?
I have been doing caricatures for 10 years. I started in 2003. I learned the art of caricatures from Kage, CEO of Caricature Japan. I admire him as an artist and business manager.

EF: Who are some of your caricature influences?
My influences are Sebastian Kruger, Joe Bluhm, Jan Op de Beeck, Kage Nakanishi, Court Jones, Glenn Ferguson , Jason Seiler, Achille Superbi etc...

EF: It has been a while since we talked. Last I heard you had opened your own stand at a mall in Chiba. Has the business grown? How many employees do you have?
I now have three retail caricature shops in Japan. One in Saitama and two in Tokyo. Although I am thinking about increasing more shops, I am focusing my strengths on the wedding industry. I am working with a top wedding company to provide various commissioned gifts. I receive over 300 orders a year and would like to increase this threefold. I also train workers.

EF: What is your typical workday like? Do you work everyday?
In the morning I check and write emails and make calls and fax. At noon, on my way to lunch, I do the bank duties and from 2pm to 2am, I spend my time on gift caricatures. On the weekend, I do live events and work at my shop.

EF: I notice that you are now signing some of your pieces “TAKANABE”. When did this start and why?
In Japan my nickname is “Nabe” and in the US, it is “Taka”. Also if you search for “Taka” on the Internet, there are too many famous people. By changing my name to “Takanabe,” I could get more hits. But from now on I will use my full name, “Takayuki Watanabe.”

EF: What do you do to improve your skills?
I concentrate on my work 100% everyday, religiously. I am also inspired by wonderful artists I see everyday on Facebook and the Internet. I think that it is importrant to draw every day.

EF: What types of caricature art do you do?
My style is to pursue realism and a lifelike texture while exaggerating. My ideal style lies between reality and imagination.

EF: What is your favorite thing/person to draw?
Famous people. Especially musicians or movie stars that appeal to me. At the moment, I would most like to draw Hideki Matsui. Because I respect him. And he just retired from playing baseball.

EF: What were your expectations for this year’s convention?
I aimed to create a wall using acrylics (Liquitex) as I learned how to use this technique. I thought that it would be great to win as a result.

EF: What were your goals for this year?
To win first place. To increase my shops. To increase bridal partnerships. To be able to work in acrylics.

EF: Did you do anything to prepare yourself physically, mentally?
For physical preparation I have massages and try to maintain a good body posture. Mentally, I read books by great people and stay inspired by watching You Tube.

EF: Did you get any sleep during the convention competition?
I slept for 5 hours per 1.5 days. I had enough sleep.

EF: What media/technique did you use for your wall at the convention?
Acrylics (Liquitex), Copic and Color pencils, Ball point pen and some color papers.

EF: Do you always work with this same technique/media, or are there other techniques/media you use?
I usually use the following three media at work:

• Art Stix only (for Retail)
• Color pencil & Copic (for commissions)
• Digital (for commissions)

EF: Is there any new media that you would like to try?
Oil painting. I would like to try oils at the competition next year.

EF: What other artwork do you do besides caricature?
Hardly any.

EF: Now that you have finally achieved the Golden Nosey, will you continue to go to the conventions? If so, how will your participation change?
I intend to continue going to the conventions. Next year I would like to put myself to the challenge again. I would like to win the Masters too.

EF: What does the future hold for Taka Watanabe? Do you have any projects coming up?
To continue pursuing the highest skill in retail and commission caricature. I would also like more people in Japan to know about my company. I am also working with publishing companies to produce two books. I think they are interesting in content. The rest is a secret.

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