This interview is part of Laura’s Artist Series.  Listen to the interview to hear about my journey of how and why I became an artist.  I also talk about money (including how much money I used to make before and after the economic collapse) and how the economic crisis negatively and positively affected my art career… and my life.

Listen to the Artist Series interview!

Here’s a video about The Unconventional Guide to Art and Money; by one of the authors, Chris Guillebeau.

“If you have a friend that dreams of one day becoming a full-time artist, think about buying them this guide. It would be such a great gift! I mean really… what better gift than to give your loved ones inspiration and knowledge in how to pursue their dream job? Seriously, name me one gift better than that.” – Soniei, Full-Time Contemporary Artist

Buy The Unconventional Guide to Art and Money!

The Orchid and Patience

At the end of its blooming cycle, the orchid is less appealing without its stunning flowers.  However, with continuous nurturing of the orchid, one day it will unexpectedly bloom again.  Your patience is rewarded.

My Impatience

Although I’m a Canadian artist, 90% of my customers used to be Americans buying art to furnish new homes and buildings.  By early 2008, I could feel the economic crisis begin to sneak up on my business.  However, in September 2008, it hit me right in the wallet.  I lost about 80% of those customers within a few months, and my struggle as a self-representing artist began.

Now, in this dump of an economy, I’m in survival mode to pay bills.  I’m always in a rush.  Nothing in my work can be done fast enough, except for when I paint.  If I even try to rush through a painting, I just create a catastrophe.

These days, I’m impatient more often.  I think it stems from feeling like there’s never enough time in a day to do everything that needs to be done.  Thankfully, I work alone so I rarely get the chance to annoy anyone.

The day I created the Nintai (Patience) painting was a day I particularly had to remind myself to be patient with the circumstances of my business and this economy.  Like the orchid, with patience and constant nurturing, I believe that someday my art career will bloom once again.

Painting to the Left

Despite aesthetics, I didn’t want the flowers of the orchid at the center of the painting.  I simply didn’t want the reward, the flowers of the orchid, to be the focal point.  I wanted the patience required to wait for the reward to be the focus of the artwork as well.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

The bonsai tree is the perfect representation of how being unique is truly beautiful.  By carefully and patiently crafting yourself to be authentic, you don’t blend into the background.  You grow into an eclectic, inspirational soul.

I love painting bonsai trees because I don’t care too much about ‘fitting in’ or ‘following the crowd’.  This was especially obvious in my high school years.  I was called a freak quite a few times, was constantly made fun of the way I looked and dressed, got my head smashed into a locker (and locked in a locker once) and people had trouble categorizing me into a group or ‘click’.

Even though I felt misunderstood and my heart was aching for a good 6 years, I knew that someday I’d look back and think, “This is ridiculous”.  So, I kept on learning how to be my own person no matter the criticism, the rumors, and the betrayal of friends.

I was preparing myself to be who I am, no matter the cost.

And, here I am.  Happy.

Uniquely, Soniei.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Buy the Mount Fuji Art Print

I love Mount Fuji because it’s one of the best subjects for landscape paintings.  In my opinion, the majesty of this mountain is a great visual representation of sacred power.

In order to add contrast and accentuate Mount Fuji’s grandeur, I painted delicate pink cherry blossom branches.  The cherry blossom also balanced out the painting quite well.  I decided not to paint any Japanese calligraphy because it would have made the painting too complex.

You can read about my Mount Fuji climbing experience, and view another painting I made of this mountain, by going to my blog post ‘Satori (Enlightenment, Awakening) Painting – Art inspired by Mount Fuji‘.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Bamboo, plum blossoms and orchids are very popular subjects in Japanese art. In addition to their obvious beauty, each plant symbolizes particular human characteristics.

Bamboo – The bamboo is symbolic of what the Japanese believe to be ‘masculine qualities’. It represents great flexibility, integrity, vitality and enduring strength.

Orchid – The orchid is symbolic of what the Japanese believe to be ‘feminine qualities’. It represents elegance, gentleness, vulnerability and beauty.

Plum Blossom – Blooming after surviving the winter weather, the plum blossom symbolizes hope and endurance. The plum blossom is also popular because of the contrast between its gnarled trunk and its fragile blossoms.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Mount Fuji

Climbing Mount Fuji in the middle of the night, I was on a journey to catch the sunrise from the summit.  The increase in altitude made it hard to catch my breath as I was pushing my aching body to its limits.

I felt grateful for the pain since I knew this hike was more than a physical challenge.  I was challenging my inner strength.  When it came down to it, I was the only person on that mountain that could keep pushing me to take another step, and then another step, until I reached the top.

Challenges

Challenges, big or small, are the perfect training and reminder that you can rely on yourself when the tough gets going.  You are your best coach.  If you think that you’re not a strong individual, than I dare you to prove yourself wrong by getting out of your comfort zone and doing something you’ve always wanted to do.  People are usually much stronger than they think they are.

You can always start with something small.  It’s amazing what you’ll learn about yourself when you’re faced with any challenge in life.  Challenges give you the opportunity for an awakening.

Failure

What if you fail?  No one is perfect.  Everyone fails.  Plus, failing is learning what not to do in order to reach your goals.  It can also be the inspiration behind a new and better suited goal.  Failure is there to teach you.  It’s a good thing.

The Painting

The moon was the only light I needed to climb Mount Fuji.  It was freakishly large and clear that night.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  I felt like I was on another planet.  I wanted to portray the moon this way in my painting.

Even though I wanted to keep the painting fairly simple, I wanted to paint chaotic designs on Mount Fuji to represent the physical pain, adrenaline and eagerness I was feeling that night.  I picked the colors of fire… and I think subconsciously I equate fire with these feelings. I can’t explain why because I don’t quite understand it myself.  However, the way my mind is wired, it feels right to paint it this way.

I left the summit uncomplicated to symbolize my awakening.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Buy This Fine Art Print Online Now!

Have you ever had a moment in your life where you’re 210% at peace?  I’m talking about the type of serenity that makes you feel like you’re living in a dream and nothing in this world could bring you down.  This happened to me when I was 11 years old, almost 20 years ago, and this experience has influenced my art ever since.

Buy This Fine Art Print Online Now!

I was at the family cabin, which is deep in the woods and about 40 feet from a lake shared by only a couple cabins.  My dad and a few others built this cabin with their own hands and there’s no electricity or anything too luxurious in it.  I always believed that the purpose of this cabin is to get away from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life and to find tranquility in nature.

That day, the only people around for miles were me and my parents.  Only a few clouds were in the sky and the sunlight was intense.  I remember the breeze saving us from the summer heat.  My mom and dad were happily drinking their tea on the balcony overlooking the lawn and the lake.

I decided that I would go fishing while relaxing on the wharf my dad had built.  On my way to the lake, fishing pole in hand, I clearly remember tiny wild flowers scattered on the lawn.  A few butterflies were fluttering around, like they were welcoming me to paradise.  I took my time walking to my destination.  I wanted to soak in the summer day as much as possible.

As I finally reached the lake, I sat on the wharf next to a ladybug.  Dragonflies kept passing before me, soaring above the lake.  With the rustling of the tree leaves behind me, and the smell of the forest in the air, it was the perfect day for fishing.  I could just be still and enjoy the scenery.  The tranquility of my spirit was so pleasant that I remember thinking to myself, “When I’m older, I’m going to remember this moment”.

After a few hours of existing in bliss, I started to get hungry. I got up and leisurely walked back to the cabin.  The butterflies were still fluttering around the flowers; a beautiful farewell from paradise.
This was such a simple event, but it gave me a special connection to butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, flowers and trees.  Twenty years later, these subjects are still prominent in my art.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution and inspiration behind my contemporary Japanese art, canvas art, and art prints.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Buy the Bushidō - Samurai Print

Bushidō means “The Way of the Warrior”, the unwritten code of conduct for the samurai warrior of ancient Japanese, and includes:

Gi – Justice

Yū – Bravery

Jin – Benevolence

Rei – Politeness

Makoto – Veracity

Meiyo – Honor

Chūgi – Loyalty

Buy the 7 Codes of Bushidō Print

To some extent, the Bushidō code is similar to the concept of chivalry.

I find this balance between violent behavior and honor fascinating. Even though we’re now in the 21^st century, the Bushidō Code can still guide us in managing conflicts and living an authentic life.

Too often, I’m quick to equate violence with revenge and protecting your own honor; which sounds ridiculous because how can anyone take your honor unless you hand it over to them yourself? When the words violence, conflict and war come to mind, I habitually think of violence originating from hatred, revenge and corruption. Running through my mind are thoughts of gangs, school bullies and abusive parents (just to name a few).

What my recent reading about Bushidō has done is remind me that violence can also be very heroic and driven from love. Even the most gracious and timid mothers would quickly turn into a wild beast to protect her child from harm’s way. In my opinion, this is the kind of courageous behavior that follows the way of the Japanese samurai. It is to live life of integrity and to resort to violence only when it stems from justice, honor, loyalty and protection from harm.

The Paintings

I wanted to make a set of paintings using the idea of Bushidō. I decided to use red paint for the background, to symbolize the violent aspect of the samurai’s way of life. To counterbalance the blood and the war, I painted white Japanese calligraphy to symbolize the wisdom and dignity of the Bushidō Code.

Buy the Tengoku (Heaven) Print

I was watching a webcast video on Oprah.com called Finding your spiritual path. Elizabeth Lesser, author of The Seeker’s Guide and Broken Open, said something early on in the webcast that really caught my attention.

Elizabeth says that our soul is something that we come into life with and that it’s always with us. She adds, “[our soul is] shining in our hearts”.

She uses the metaphor of a lantern to represent our psyche and our body, and the light within the lantern to symbolize our soul. Elizabeth explains that our lantern can get covered by soot (layers of conditioning). Negative emotions, such as fear, mistrust and anger, put soot on our lantern. As a result, the light of our soul becomes dull.

Elizabeth says that being on a spiritual path is finding a way to clean the soot off our lanterns so that our soul can shine bright again.

Through this metaphor, a painting was born.

The Art
I began painting a crisp, blue sky and cherry blossom tree branches in full bloom. In my mind, this image reflects the beauty and the light in our soul. I painted two butterflies, one covered in soot and one completely clear of it. The butterfly in the middle of the painting has gone through a transformation and is fluttering free from the soot. It’s in paradise. The light is not dull anymore; its soul is shinning.

If you start to clean away the soot from your life, little by little, your soul will shine bright again. You can then begin to experience heaven on earth. For that reason, I named this painting Tengoku – the Japanese name for Heaven.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution of my art and the inspiration behind my contemporary paintings.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.

Buy the Seika (Sacred Fire) Print

Ever had one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong?  Well, today was my day.

It started out early this morning with a migraine. I could hardly sleep with the nauseating pain and I was really counting on a good night’s sleep since my energy seems to be missing in action lately.Everything went downhill ever since.

Here’s some math for you…

Sleepless Night + Soniei + A Pinch of Migraine Leftovers = Miss Grumpy Pants

My day was so bad that I was thinking, “I’m gone to bed. I can’t deal with today anymore”. Satisfied with my decision, I got up from my desk and accidentally spilled a glass of water all over my Japanese lesson notes. Nice. Great. Terrific. After I cleaned up the mess, I was on my way to crawl into bed and hide from today for awhile.

On my way to the bedroom, I saw my cat (Steve) in the living room. He was on the love seat, next to the window. So, of course, I had to go cuddle him like crazy before I hid from life.

I saw the sunset; an orange glow in the sky. It was pretty, but my mindset was stuck on “What the f-ever. I hate life right now”. Seriously, I was that grumpy. My only cure out of it was to catch up on sleep.

However, next thing I knew I was in a daze, staring at the sun. I started daydreaming. To be honest, I don’t even know what I was daydreaming about. It wasn’t about anything in particular. I was just daydreaming; probably about hot men. All I know is that I wasn’t in my life anymore.

Then my other cat (Loki) decided to bite Steve’s tail and I snapped out of it.

I felt much better. Miraculously, I wasn’t Miss Grumpy Pants anymore. I’m not saying that you could have compared me with Buddha, but I felt much better than before the daydreaming. So, instead of crawling into bed, I had black tea to keep my energy levels up and I painted all evening and night.

The Art

I painted the sun and added the Japanese kanji for Seika (sacred fire) because that’s how I felt about the sun at the moment since it turned me into Miss Grumpy Pants to Soniei, the artist. I mean, that’s a miracle, right there.

I decided to paint black and grey bamboo, to represent my negative mood. I added a touch of green in the back of the grey to represent the turning of my mood… the leaves going from grey to green representing Miss Grumpy Pants turning into Miss Happier Pants.

Or, maybe I should say this painting symbolizes negative emotions turning into positive ones by the simple act of being captivated by mundane things, like the sacred fire in the sky.

K… I’m gone to bed now.

Here’s a video of me, Soniei, trying to explain the evolution of my art and the inspiration behind my contemporary paintings.

This video includes a brief explanation of how I left the 9-5 work world to live my dream as a full-time artist.