Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Kogawa.
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
About 30 years ago – my first-generation Japanese parents met and exchanged vows in the States, but they wanted their first child to be born in their homeland. So, I was born in the countryside of Mie, Japan, in the Yamagishi association headquarters – which was an egalitarian intentional community where some people whispered it as a “cult.” There, kids of a certain age were separated from their parents and put in a facility where, to me, was a peaceful space full of nature greens and books. With my parents absent during my early childhood, I got to read however much I want and was able to draw however many I want. I believe my love for reading various stories and creating art and plants was established strongly from here. Eventually, my parents returned to retrieve me, and we crossed the ocean to the home of Orange County, California.
After struggling to accept the whole new language and environment, I started to get comfortable as I spent the time in OCHSA – Orange County High School of Arts during my middle – high school. It was a very unique place which I can’t describe in a single paragraph – but let’s just say you were considered as a “weirdo” if you didn’t dress up for Halloween day; we had a Llama club (yes, real llama), and our unorthodox school dress code was: “Thou shalt not arrive unclothed.” Even though it was the best youth school experience, at the same time it was where I also learned my first grudge. Throughout my high school era, one formidable teacher would keep criticizing my drawing as being too much of “manga” or “anime,” which is not original, and I couldn’t succeed with this current art style. Nonetheless, I kept drawing my half-realistic, half-flat expression. This led to my motivation to wanting to prove that statement wrong.
Not knowing that it was considered the hardest art school to graduate in the States, I enrolled in ArtCenter College of Design, where my mentor recommended it. Originally, I was planning to go to art colleges in Japan, where I felt more comfortable with my art, but I decided to challenge myself. After countless cans of Red Bulls, steaming cup ramen, low sleep along with life involvement, human acquaintance, and art observation, ArtCenter College of Design has made my core as an artist and how I’m refined today. It’s been a few years since I left the campus but now, I still draw every day and have been proving that “certain” art does not interfere with your art career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say I have been fortunate to be in a privileged environment, and the road has been relatively smooth until recently. Being surrounded by individuals in similar art or design-related fields, including my family, has supported my passion and has been invaluable. Although I did face challenges in keeping pace with talented colleagues who seemed successful, balancing a fulfilling art student life and part-time job for financial stability and such, I believe those were necessary in my personal growth rather than struggles on my career path. Now that I have entered my 30s, meaning that 1⁄3 of my life span has already passed – I find myself standing at the crossroads in my career journey. Not only in the art industry, but I have worked as an area manager at a restaurant and personal English tutor. I am now also a professional Japanese-English translator & interpreter and moved my way up to a Cultural Language Lead position for entertainment shows. Along with my other passions, I do want to keep exploring my art deeper, but at the same time, the desire to want to expand a family is a constant fear, knowing it will inevitably slow me down physically. At the moment, I have not found the answer to this dilemma, so we shall see whether my path will unfold as a freeway or a rocky road at the end.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work has a wide spectrum – I believe the strength of my artistry lies in my line work – which lends itself to diverse forms of expressions. From editorial news media illustration and social media advertisement to background for music videos, logos for local pet food, cover art for international artists, and not only digital but traditional pieces for gallery exhibitions and live art performances at events, my portfolio knows no bounds. I would say I’ve been recognized for my love of food, anime-inspired pop culture aesthetic and my constant exploration into authentic Japanese culture. My stylistic choices are deeply rooted in my pride as a Japanese-American, embodying the fusion of both cultures into one. I believe this unique blend and my flexibility sets me apart from others in the field. Also, I watch about 100 anime shows a year and have collected about 4,000 books so my nerd habit definitely plays the role too.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, it is simply achieving the desired or positive results, a fulfillment that lies within oneself. So, any happy goals!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisakogawa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisakogawa_/
Image Credits
Yohei Okura
