ISETAN MEN'S net has launched a new series called "ART UP by International Creators." This series focuses on "fashion" and "art," two fields that have long been closely related, and will curate and introduce a variety of artists.

The fourth person featured is Maki Nishiyama, who is active as a fashion model and television personality. While she is also a mother of two, in recent years her artistic talent has been attracting considerable attention. This time, we will focus on her side as an artist and explore the background behind it.

Event Information

Maki Nishiyama Live Painting

□September 12th (Wednesday) 11:00-18:00

□Main building, 6th floor = Event hall / In front of pillar C-3

▶Click here for a list of articles about "SOUL CAMP 2018 at ISETAN MEN'S"

Born in 1985, she works as a fashion model and television personality. Since 2005, she has been an exclusive model for the magazine "CanCam" (Shogakukan), gaining popularity among women of her generation. A mother of two, she also enjoys strong support from housewives, having served as the editor-in-chief of the natural mothers' magazine "LUCE" in 2014. Her husband is actor Taichi Saotome.

The feeling of powerlessness I experienced during the business closure, and the new path I discovered from it.

"I grew up surrounded by brothers and didn't have any dolls like Licca-chan, so I spent a lot of time drawing by myself when I was little. I remember winning an award as part of an art class in elementary school. I think I drew the person so big that it spilled off the paper, and it ended up looking all weird and distorted (laughs). Even as an adult, I still draw illustrations of the staff and people I work with on set during breaks in filming and give them to them as gifts without asking (laughs)."

Nishiyama says this with a carefree smile. She says that the reason her paintings, which she has continued to create with the pure feelings of "fun" and "wanting to make people happy," have come to be noticed as a job is largely due to her encounter with Rainbow Works, which handles licensing and brand management for various fashion brands.

"It's only very recently that drawing has become my job. The president of Rainbow Works saw my artwork and told me, 'You should definitely make this your job.' Also, I took a short break from work last year, and during that time, I realized that if I lost my work as a model and talent, I would have nothing. I felt that if I didn't leave some kind of proof that I was alive, I wouldn't be able to have confidence in my life going forward. With the idea of leaving something tangible behind, I drew illustrations on sneakers and gave them to my daughter and friends as gifts. They were happier than I expected."



Furthermore, in March of this year, a collaborative item with the bag brand "HeM," for which the company handles licensing, was released, and a live painting performance was held at "atmos con Vol.4" at Shibuya Hikarie Hall. "I was really nervous painting in front of people. But there was also the fun of a live performance, like having the children who came to play participate."

Regarding her own work, which possesses a unique touch and worldview, she describes it as "greedy paintings, wanting this and that." "I want ice cream and hamburgers. I don't think such colorful food exists in reality, but I think anything is possible in paintings. Like, wouldn't it be cute if the sky was pink? I want to depict things that don't exist in reality. I ignore theories and such when it comes to color combinations (laughs)."

Furthermore, her carefree nature is evident in the stylized ice cream, hamburgers, and strange creatures she frequently uses as motifs. Apparently, even as a child, she used a Pocky box instead of a pencil case and had a strong liking for milk cartons, making her a self-proclaimed and widely acknowledged "slightly unusual child."

"I always paint with positive emotions in mind, like 'happy,' 'fun,' or 'delicious.' Even if I'm feeling sad or down, I think that by painting positive, fun pictures, I can pull myself back into those kinds of emotions. Of course, I'd be happy if my paintings could have that effect on the people who see them too."

With a vibrant smile, she speaks of her philosophy as an artist. With that childlike, pure heart, she will undoubtedly continue to create works that bring happiness to those who see them.

NEXT> Towards the live painting at 'SOUL CAMP 2018 at ISETAN'