Art Blog #100 Questions and Answers with Harumi Hironaka

Discovering the Artist Within

a) When did you first realise that you wanted to become an artist?

Growing up, I never knew that being an artist could be a real thing. I was born in a country where most artists need another job to make a living. As the granddaughter of immigrants, I was raised in a traditional environment where pursuing art seriously wasn’t encouraged. So, I never had a big “realization” moment. It just kind of happened while I was doing other things.

b) Is there a piece of art or an artist that changed your life?

Real tough question! I can think of many movies, shows, songs, books, and paintings that have touched me and shaped me in different ways. But in this context, I’d have to say Sailor Moon. I remember being a little girl, watching the anime and being completely blown away by the colours, the figures, and the expressions. I drew and painted all the characters, and that’s probably where my obsession really began.

c) How do you choose your subjects? Are they based on people you know?

I think my subjects are actually one single “being” that kind of haunts me (or I haunt her, I’m not sure). Sometimes I find her in real people. Other times, I have to piece her together myself, like my own little Frankenstein creation made from parts that I like. When all else fails, I use myself as a reference but change every feature until I can’t see myself in it anymore.

d) What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a life in art?

I think everybody has to find their own way. What is true for me might not be true for them. But I’d remind them that what they create does matter. Even on the days when the world makes you feel like it doesn’t, and maybe especially on those days.

e) Could you describe your process and how producing art makes you feel?

My process is mostly intuitive. Once I’ve transferred the sketch onto the paper, I don’t really follow a strict formula. Since I work with mixed media, I just pick whatever feels right at the time—coloured pencils, acrylic, oil—usually whatever will get me the result I want the fastest. Painting like this is exciting but also terrifying for an anxious person like me. I barely know what I’m doing half the time, but somehow it still feels right. And it works! I go from loving it to hating it and then back to loving it again until I finally give up obsessing over it and call it finished.

f) Where do you see your art in 10 years?

I’ve always had a hard time picturing myself (or my art) far into the future. Thinking beyond tomorrow has never been my strength. But I do hope that in ten years, we’re both doing great. I hope my work has grown in ways I can’t yet imagine, that it still feels honest, and that it’s reaching the people who are meant to see it. If I can keep creating with the same curiosity and stubbornness that keep me going now, I think I’ll be exactly where I need to be.

g) What question would you want to be asked in an interview about your art?

I think I’d want to be asked a question I never gave much importance to in the past: my formation as an artist. I used to feel self-aware and insecure about being self-taught. So when my paintings started becoming popular, my imposter syndrome went straight through the roof. It was paralyzing at times, and I still deal with it occasionally. But I’ve come to realise that maybe it’s in the chaos of my process that the appeal of my work lies. I have a feeling people sense it, and it speaks to them. Now that I kind of know what I’m doing, I have to remind myself to let go a little, to have fun with it, and stay honest. My work might look better now, in terms of technique, but it will always be messy and conflicted on the inside. And I like it that way.

Harumi's Latest Artwork

Harumi's latest artwork 'Burn With Me' (2025) is available to purchase directly from Harumi at Harumi Hironaka and you can follow her on Instagram.

(And there is currently a 20% holiday sale for a limited time only!!)

A Note of Gratitude

Paul writes:

The Connor Contemporary is very grateful to Harumi for sharing her insights with such honesty and eloquence—her thoughtful responses made for an illuminating question and answer session. Harumi is a very talented artist who approaches her craft and creative journey with genuine passion and dedication. I’m eager to see where her artistic path leads next! Harumi has already established herself as a standout artist, renowned for a distinctive style that masterfully portrays the complex and often unspoken realities faced by women today—with sensitivity, wit, and undeniable charm. I have every confidence that both she and her art are destined for extraordinary achievements. Thank You, Harumi!

Courtesy of www.connorcontemporary.com