[ICON] Eico Hanamura - The Shojo Manga Artist Whose Works Cast a Spell Over the World（2/3）

although I have tried to use the most of the paints in the world, “Sakura” paints is the best for me.

ab：Is there a difference between an old picture and the prezent picture?

Hanamura： I had like to draw the pictures of pretty children because I started comics for girls at the beginning. In illustration, I always use primary colors unconsciously. I don’t use tint colors much. I don’t like shading colors off because it takes for long time. I’m too busy to gradate but in this time, this way is accepted in the world as well. When I had one-man show at Louvre in Paris, various kinds of artists including oil painters or sculptors liked this kind of my drawings. Now I could get that kind of job because of these artists. This is unexpected. Honestly, every time I paint colors, I don’t have any plan, when I create something new, depends on just imagination. And the colors never be faded, although I have tried to use the most of the paints in the world, “Sakura” paints is the best for me.

Normally it takes for ten years even to be a semi-members!

ab：Do you expand the wave of exchange after your works had exhibited at Louvre Museum

Hanamura：Originally, association of cartoonist gave me a award because of the picture drawing on the door in “the temple of a white lotus flower” and one French working at embassy liked my original picture of this and I started to think French people tend to like my drawings. After that, my daughter heard it through the grapevine that somebody suggested me to exhibit my drawing at exhibition of “S.N.B.A”, of course I would accept it and I exhibited one piece of my drawing. 1year later, I was invited from the association in France as an artist by a recommendation of the French ambassador to Japan in 2008, since then I started to be on good terms with France.

ab：Do you have a large circle of acquaintances after that?

Hanamura：They asked me to be the members of this association, actually I was confused whether I would accept or not, but I said “yes” eventually. Later, I was so surprised when I heard it is very hard to be to be the members of this association, normally it takes for ten years even to be a semi-members.
I think I have to appreciate this honor and I thought I was so lucky. The lieutenant president or the director of the association set up new corner that displayed by the 40 pieces of my drawings and they said to me, ‘do you like this area?’ and I answered, ‘ sure! Thank you very much for this.’ A few days later, I heard this corner used to be displayed by the most popular pieces drawn by the honorable artists in the world. When I heard this, I realized I should appreciate this more and more. People in France treat me like a great artist.

The Bryce doll only is not lovely and has the soul.

ab：You did develop various cartoon film and comic, Do you expand your activities?

Hanamura：I have too many things what I like. I like writing story or making coloring books for little kids of course I like drawing for adults. I like everything for fun anyways, when I met one person who has inspiration one time, she told me that I have a disciple of the Kannon with a thousand hands behind me, that’s why I got many things what I like.

ab：Did you go to Bryce exhibition?

Hanamura：Yes visited there with everyone and we could see many pretty dolls of brise and their faces are so adorable I think the balance of their faces and the size of the body is amazing, it was marvelous. I liked them so much, especially since I love their cute forehead, I asked the people to change doll’s hair style for looks more pretty. They are not only adorable but also it seems to as if they have own spirit.