Hisako Kobaijashi

Biography
Born in 1972, Tokyo. Learned basic art skills, drawing, painting, and sculpting in art school in Tokyo during high school years.

In 1990, start attending architecture school and working as part-time cartoon illustrator for a couple of years. In 1994, came to the United States for learning English and enroled at The University of Toledo as drawing major in 1995. In 1997, took human anatomy drawing course under the guidance of Professor Diana Attie who introduced me to "Medical Illustration". Since then, started deeply involving with humor figure and anatomical drawing, and working as a part-time assistant of medical illustrator, Roy Schineider at Medical College of Ohio. Currently, I'm a senior at The University of Toledo and expecting undergraduate graduation in May 2000.

Statement
Drawing is very difficult and challenging subject for me because it is not about tracing what you see on a piece of paper. It is about creating on illusion of 3 dimensional world within 2 dimensional world. For example, a stereoscopic photograph would be a good example of what I'm trying to say. The viewer can feel the depth and volume of its image although it is on a flat surface. To create such kind of drawings involves deep observation, circulation and imagination toward object you see. First, observe the object and how the light creates shadows, what kind of shape you see, and where the plane surface goes. Second, circulate to create the most effective composition that viewer's eyes can smoothly flow when they see the drawing. Also, circulate where is the focus point and how you emphasize it by pressure of lines and marks. Third, use imagination to create atmosphere of object, what you can not see but what you feel on the drawing.

This exhibition is the drawing I struggle the most to complete, because I was trying to satisfy these important elements in my drawing. I wish my skills could improve over night but the reality is repetition of trial and error every time I draw. I chose these drawings because I learned about drawing while I was working on them. They are just like my foot print of how I learn about art.

I'm really grateful that I could share what I have done with other people. I thank the people at the Eberly Center who gave me such a wonderful opportunity. Hisako Kobaijashi