The Illustrated interviews Hama-House
A series of conversations with illustrated illustrators 2
Hama-house (I always forget his real name and it doesn’t really matter) is a very talented, great drawer in Tokyo but more than that he’s a funny guy to be with. His English is imperfect though oh-so-charming, and his humor is almost unjapanese. I have left some misunderstandings in the interview unedited, so you dear reader can get the feeling of what I am talking about.
Hama-House’s art consists mainly in creating his own reality parting from what he has in front of him. Or behind him, like in this animation:
Please tell us about yourself and how you became an artist
My pen-name is Hama-House, I’m an illustrator based in Tokyo. Just 10 years have passed since I started my current job. “How you became an artist?” To answer to this question is depending on the meaning of the word artist. Anyway, to be honest, I’ve never thought I’m an artist. I haven’t even painted signature on my drawings yet! I think… I’m like a chef of a casual restaurant in a downtown. My restaurant has a bunch of menu like a curry, ramen, hamburger and fried potato. I probably don’t serve expensive French, but I hope to serve a delicious set meal with roasted fish. My regular customers occasionally order an original dish that isn’t included my menu, but I want to serve well every time. Sometimes there is a line in front of my restaurant, so the busy situation makes me tough. But needless to say, of course I feel happy then.
When is your first recollection of a drawing you made?
A lot of painters said “I used to doodle when I was little”, but unfortunately I don’t have a memory like that. I was just another boy who spends a long time playing football in the countryside. When I was 17 years old, I realized I couldn’t become a pro football player, and so on second thought, I made up my mind to get into art college. Maybe that’s the first time I started with drawing pictures.
When you start drawing a person, where do you start?
I got a shock from painting books written by Moebius in art college, and I started practicing to draw the persons.
Do you use pencils/do a rough first or you work directly? Please tell us about your process
First of all, I write down some ideas on a paper by pencil. Second, if I can get my ideas into shape, I play favorite music. Third, after waiting for the music pumps me up, I start to draw pictures directly on PC. It is my regular process.
What are your go-to books, websites, movies for inspiration?
“La guerre d’Alan” (Alan’s War) by Emmanuel Guibert is one of my most favorite comic books in recent years. This book always encourages me. To introduce this book briefly, when the author is 30years old, he met Mr.Alan who is 69 years old. They had a relationship during 5 years (until Mr.Alan passes away), and Mr.Guibert drew the life of Mr.Alan. This book shows me everything. Really great pictures, attitude toward drawings, and a view of life. I feel those are lacking for me now, so this book always is beside my desk.
How about love, friends, places, do they inspire your work too?
Of course I’m affected by my every surroundings. Those are reflected in my private works recently, especially Gif animations.
What is the most insignificant thing for others but oh so important to you?
Diversity in styles. Of course originality is significant for all of artist and me, but diversity is important for me too. To show interesting things or wit is most important for me, so I want to have a variety of ways for express the things.
Materials; what do you use, which is one is your favorite tool, pen, sketchbook, paint?
I use Wacom intuos pro tablet in my work. About doodling, some of color pencils and color papers are frequently used, but whatever is fine. I usually try not to decide my favorite tools. The reason why is I really love to go a stationary store (especially Sekaido in Shinjuku) and love to try using new tools!
Do you keep a sketchbook? How often do you draw in it?
Yes, I keep sketchbooks everytime whenever I go out. Until a little while ago, I drew everything, anytime, anywhere. But I have started thinking recently what should I draw? Should I consider more deeply? I’m professional, so I can sketch good pictures to a certain extent and it makes me feel good, but is the easy satisfaction dangerous for me..? But on the contrary, only to keep just drawing shows us new landscape is true. I don’t know.. Maybe it’s common worries for every drawer, isn’t it?
How much value do you give to your originals? Would they be the first thing you save if your studio caught fire?
Basically, I draw pictures for job using computer, so I don’t have the originals. I have a lot of sketches, but those are maybe not important for me. If a fire should break out, I would make off with my favorite comic books.
Q11. Do you agree art can be magical? If so, how do you think that happens?
Good music and movie have the power to change a person’s life. I’m doing my best aiming for that by my(can’t moved) illustrations, I believe it possible, but maybe there is a very high bar. Of course to impress a man who has keen senses is great, but if I can move my relatives in the countryside or near my neighbors, it’s best for me.
Q12. What is the thing you love to draw most?
Never before seen or very fresh ideas that we can emphasize with.
Q13. And the least?
Done it before.
Q14. Is drawing a skill you are born with or something people acquire by practice?
If we want to be most great sushi chef in the world, perhaps it needs great talent. But for a chef of casual restaurant, it needs only to keep practicing, practicing and practicing.
Q15. How many times have you had an artist block? And if you have them, what do you do about it?
Many times. Of course, sometimes I come to realize the limitations of myself. At such times, the only thing that I can do is scream to a wall, “oh my gosh!”
Q16. Give some advice to those who are sitting in a boring office but actually would like to have an artistic life.
I’m terribly sorry, I don’t have advices for the people. I’m always just sitting and drawing in front of my desk every day. Really love my situation now, but one day is just like another, is it actually an artistic life..? Somebody gives me good advices!!
What are, do you think, useful words for your job
What is your useful words for your job? My answer is:
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
Mark Twain.
When I get very hard and unreasonable demands from my clients, I remember this every time. This saying always makes me calm, nice and warm inside.
You can find more about Hama-House at his website and his instagram.
