— The membership program of Tokyo-based artist Luis Mendo —
This comic is a confession: I often struggle with making drawings based on stories. I prefer to work based on ideas, goals, feelings… all intangible things that a good drawing exudes when done right.
After working as a graphic designer for about 20 years in Europe, my life took a turn when I moved to Japan in 2013. Around 2014, I changed my career to illustration. Below are my thoughts on how I personally see the differences between the two professions and how the switch affected my life.
When the covid-19 pandemic took over the world, we were asked to stay in our homes as much as possible. After living in Tokyo for several years, staying in my house all the time made me feel I could be living in any other city, it wouldn't have mattered that much.
Personal projects are greatly underrated. I believe they are the very foundation of every commercial artist's career.
You might want to sit straight and resize your browser window for this. I am laying the ground for the series, and knowing about fungi is kind of a must if you want to know how they reproduce, live and die. It will make the series more fun and easy to write.
I have admired Lauren for the first day I saw her work. Her lines and compositions are utter magic. It made me happy to learn she had a past in the design world too. We met once in NYC but that was a too long time ago, I am still waiting for her to visit Tokyo one day.
A man suffers the consequences of wearing too many layers on his wife's request.
I often wake up early, as you might know. It's on those moments that I just want to draw whatever comes out of my pencil. And it's also then that I often do my best work. Personal stuff that might have no apparent goal, but will become something later on.
Daria's work is of the kind that beats you in the gut. Her lines are so energetic and dynamic that you would sell your soul to get her hand to be attached to your wrist instead. At least, I would! Academically trained, she's found her way into drawing on a highly personal note.
