Reiko Kato

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Black and white pointillism drawing of a human eye by Reiko Lauper

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Reiko Kato’s black-and-white dragon and floral shoulder tattoo artwork

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Four portraits showing woman with different KISS-inspired makeup by Reiko Lauper.

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Nine black and white portraits of a woman with red accents by Reiko Lauper

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Black and white portrait of a woman with red lips by Reiko Lauper

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Pointedly!

Reiko's works leave a pleasantly striking impression. They are ideal for projects that call for clarity, symbolism, and creative originality.

Clients marvel at her unique skill and flexibility in delivering pieces that truly separate their projects from all the rest. Born in Japan, Reiko is inspired by the Yin and Yang philosophy and the balance of dark and light is clear in her portfolio. There’s also a Japanese sensibility in her approach. Trained in Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University, Reiko came to New York after finishing her degree and has worked in an art gallery and for the Emmy Award-winning costume designer Patricia Field. She’s an art lover inspired by the Low Brow movement as well as Japanese horror comics.

Approach

Like the Impressionist Georges Seurat, Reiko creates her images dot-by-dot. After carefully planning the work, she draws a sketch to work from and applies the dots. Predominantly her work is black and white, with occasional flourishes of colour applied in Photoshop.

Style

Reiko’s exacting craft steps to the fore in every image she creates, engaging the viewer with subtle shading, texture, tactility and outright artistic beauty. It is bold, graphic and poignant.

Languages

English and Japanese

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator?I studied fine art in Japan, but after graduating from an art college I moved to New York and worked in the fashion industry. I learned a lot there and had a great experience, but gradually my thirst for art grew stronger and I started working at an art gallery in the city at the end of 2015. This is when I started to draw illustrations after a 10-year blank.Did you study illustration in college?My major was sculpture, not illustration. Although I was fascinated by studying art professionally, I always felt a conflict with traditional art education.Where did you grow up?I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.Do you have a childhood memory relating to art that you hold dear?My mom told me that I drew one sketchbook per day when I was in preschool. But I always loved drawing and any type of creative project since I was very little.Where do you live now and what drew you there?I moved everywhere in NY but I currently live in Brooklyn. My old apartment building caught on fire and I moved to my boyfriend’s home. We live together since then and I love the neighborhood. Describe your studio for usI use the extra small bedroom as my studio. Nothing special. I have a wooden desk and a day bed to take a little rest and meditate.Who or What is your biggest inspiration?This is a very hard question because I draw inspiration from a variety of conflicting things and people. Punk/rock, jazz, classic music, old mafia movies, and Japanese horror comics, to the beauty of nature...I am inspired by all of them.What do you listen to when you work?Anything that helps me to zone in on the drawing. Jazz, Whiskey Blues, and oldies for the most of time, but it depends on what I draw. I listen to metal and punk rock when I draw something chaotic or apocalyptic, and I listen to classical music when I draw flowers and stuff.What are your interests outside of illustration?I love music, food, going to the beach, and talking to my friends! I have a small friends circle and love talking to them for hours and hours about life, love and stupid things.What would be your dream commission?I eventually would love to work with some fashion brands to make their own garments/textile with my drawings like the illustrator Yuko Higuchi did for Gucci. I also LOVE tea in general and would love to make artwork for my favorite tea companies like Harrods, Novel Tea, Ito-en, or even some family-oriented traditional tea companies.How much of your work is hand drawn?I draw everything by hand. I use my own hand-drawn illustration to make graphic design and sometimes color with Photoshop, but I 100% hand draw for my illustration. I enjoy the delicate control and unique textures of hand-drawn and I never use iPad or computer. It's very challenging and time-consuming yet great fun and relaxing for me, especially when I'm tired of using phones and computers too much. It's like meditation to me.Who is your art hero?Tadanori Yokoo - a Japanese graphic designer and eventually a painter, who used his own illustrations to create a very unique style of graphic design. Although my style is different, I do the same as a graphic designer and admire his spiritual thinking too. Also Oi Katsushika - a daughter of Hokusai Katsushika who is an unbelievably talented artist.Who is your design hero?Patricia Field and Vivienne Westwood. Especially I worked for Patricia as her own graphic designer for close to 8 years and I still have a lot of respect and love for her. I just designed her art collection book that the Keith Haring Museum issued.Who is your music hero?So many! But one of the reasons I moved to the US was because I wanted to see Brian Setzer's shows all the time. My dream came true and I go to his shows every time he plays in NY.If you were not an illustrator, what would you be?A chef. My parents were in the food industry and I love food too.If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?Egypt, Bora Bora, Crete, Seychelles. Have you any hidden talents?Swimming.If you could travel back in time, who would be the one person you would want to meet and why?I would love to travel back to the Edo period (Japan) and meet Hokusai and his daughter, Oi - I'd love to work for them as an intern!What themes or content in the world inspires you?Universe and spirituality, I love to think about it.How do you keep on trend and up to date in our quickly changing industry?I love old stuff that I can feel the history of and don't pay attention to the trend at all. I think the trend is just made for people who don't know what they like.What is your go-to comfort food?Japanese food. I like everything but I like my soul food more and more as I'm getting older.What is the last show you binged?Yellow Jacket.What is your favourite way to fill free time?Going to the beach club. Watching horror channels on Youtube. Cooking.What is your go-to karaoke song?Time after time by my forever favorite singer, Cyndi Lauper.Which languages can you speak?English and Japanese.