Interview
Caryn Fukuda
Caryn Fukuda is originally from Tokyo but grew up in Hawaii. She traveled extensively with her mother and sister throughout Europe, an experience that deepened her appreciation for art. She works as an English teacher for secondary and college students, including college ESL learners. In February, after being let go from her job, Caryn entered a downward spiral. Her muse, K, encouraged her to take the expensive oil painting classes she had originally enrolled in. She followed that advice and found herself the weakest student in the class; oil painting proved nothing like drawing with pencil, colored pencils, or markers, and her confidence faltered. Unable to afford the teacher’s subsequent charcoal class, she had already purchased the materials and turned to YouTube to learn charcoal techniques. That self-taught period reignited her passion. Caryn began drawing and painting again, then moved into writing poetry and developing a manga. She entered a variety of exhibitions and now holds invitations from venues in Le Marais, Florence, Venice, California, London, and New York. Since then she has painted on a handbag and expanded into crafting, creating felt dolls and creatures. She also completed a film class with the American Film Association. Currently she is applying for art grants and researching residency opportunities in France to further her artistic career.
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by people, by God, by the mundane, by nature, by animals, by beauty. Music inspires me to meditate as I draw and paint. I look forward to creating something new every day. I am inspired by other artists on Instagram who create absolutely breathtaking or just really adorable pieces. When you are an artist, that is a God-source. We are given these opportunities and gift from our Lord.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I love fairytales and child-like paintings. I grew up reading and loving fairy tales and folk tales. When I left Japan, my uncle and aunt gave me the folktale called ‘The Magic paintbrush.’ I remember them on the train tracks crying as they waved goodbye. My mom, sister, and I were leaving by train to go to the airport to go to America and we didn’t know when we would see them again. My themes are all related to God. Isabelle is the high priestess, she has awakened and is now aware of God’s mission for her. Seraphina is the innocent one who has survived all the brutal attacks on her and as she lay defensive, God and all of his soldiers and angels protected her, and she learned to tame the snake. The third piece is Rose as Snow White. I like the name Rose because she reminds me of Rose from the ‘Titanic.’ She was rebellious and learned to break free from the limitations of society. I love Snow White and often identify with her, she is loved, envied, and poisoned, she is later brought back to life by true love.”
How would you describe your work?
“Many times, my work comes to me in day dreams. I will leave my canvas with some work on it for a while and when I walk by, sometimes I see images of the finished product. I love the idea of integrating other materials which make the image come to life and sometimes it gives it a more whimsical and theatrical feel to it.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I grew up loving Vermeer, Renoir, Modigliani, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec. My mom had paintings all over the house from France. I do love my oil painting teacher William Zwick’s art too.”
What is your creative process like?
“Usually on a good day, I feel happy and can produce more than on a day when I feel sad or out of sorts. It’s been a journey since this past February when I lost my job and my identity. I have always wanted to draw and write a children’s book and now I can. Usually, when I leave the house, I feel the happy energy vibrations of the tourists in Waikiki or at Ala Moana, mainly the youth and how they are laughing and running are inspirational as well.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think that society is once again stepping away from AI and hanging on to the authenticity of the connection of art with God. God gives you the song, the paintbrush, the words to put on paper. We need to connect back to our source, who is our light. I think that AI can create many beautiful things; however, it can never connect to God like humans can. Art is God, Art is love, and as long as we hold on to it with tenacity, we know that God will dominate once again and our consciousness will be awakened.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I just had the New York Fashion Week sponsor _revolutiona sponsor my Isabelle portrait as part of the fashion runway on September 10. I had the Amsterdam exhibit and the No. 35 London exhibit both for Isabelle. I will also have an exhibit in Florence in November at the expo metro where Seraphina will be showcased, the exhibit by Huge Gallery in Le Marais, I have an invitation for the exhibition in Venice with itsliquid, and in London, the iceshack is displaying the poster of Paddington which I drew for them.”
