When opportunities arise for a new project, creators are always pleased to take on a new challenge. But when the publisher asks for you specifically to collaborate with their upcoming title. The excitement level takes on a whole new dimension. That was the case when talented traditional Finnish artist Heikala was asked to create the cover for the English Translation of Keisuke Uyama’s beloved book Love Like the Falling Petals. Published by Clover Press and Media Do International, along with Shueisha Inc. Never has there been a more perfect blend of artist and project.
With Uyama’s book coming to Kickstarter for its first English translation, we had the opportunity to catch up with the talented cover artist to learned about her artistic background, her love of tradition art and her collaboration on Love Like the Falling Petals. So. let’s welcome Heikala to GVN’s Talking Comics.
Beginnings
GVN: Thanks for sharing a small bit of your time with us, Heikala. Let us start with a bit of your background. You began your art career in Finland and studied Graphic Design at Lahti Institute of Design. But in addition, you have also traveled extensively abroad to Japan and are now based there. At this point, which do you feel impacted your work more. Your studies in Finland or your Japanese influences?
Heikala: Japanese popular culture has had a huge impact on how my style has developed to its current state. My favorite TV shows in childhood were Japanese animated series like “Pokémon” and “Tanoshii Muumin Ikka,” and they impacted my early art development greatly. My travels to Japan have also affected the settings and places in my paintings. But, then again, in my case the basic skills of how to use materials, how to come up with ideas, how to do branding for your work, how to work independently and maintain a good work ethic and all the aspects about creating a visually pleasing work of art has mostly been influenced by my studies, especially at Lahti Institute of Design. So, I think Japan feeds my creative hunger and my studies were there to guide the actual process of making art.
The Love of Traditional Artwork
GVN: Your work is both beautiful and at times whimsical while embracing traditional techniques of watercolor and ink. Have you at any point considered working digitally and what do you feel are the advantages of working traditionally?
Heikala: I usually work digitally when making quick color mockups for my paintings. It’s a good way to try multiple combinations, but that is pretty much the extent of me drawing digitally. I feel like I’ve just always enjoyed having a physical piece of paper or canvas and painting materials to work on, and having a finished work in my hands when I’m done. I also like the way there’s clear physical limitations to the tools I use and I am quite good at predicting how they’ll behave, and sometimes they do their own thing and that’s okay. With digital, I often feel like there is too much choice and that makes me feel anxious. I guess the learning curve for any new drawing software is also too steep for me so for now I will gladly stay with traditional methods.
Creating the Cover for ‘Love Like the Falling Petals’
GVN: You have partnered with Media Do International and Clover Press to do the cover art for “Love Like the Falling Petals” by Keisuke Uyama. How were you first introduced to this project and what about the story inspired you in your efforts to create its cover?
Heikala: I was contacted by Shueisha/Media Do for the opportunity to create the cover artwork for the book. The publisher was hoping to have an overseas artist create the cover illustration for the translated version and they thought of my works. Reading the story for the first time, I could visually see in my mind the places and the settings, I was also remembering my first time of seeing cherry blossoms the year before when I moved to Tokyo. The story is such a beautiful depiction of love in its different forms, so I wanted to somehow depict that in the cover artwork.
Following Heikala
GVN: Judging from the results, there is no doubt you succeeded. Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts with us. Before I let you go, please tell our readers where they can go to see more of your beautiful work online.
Heikala: My works can be found on Instagram at @heikala and my website is www.heikala.com
Clover Press and Media Do International, Partnering Together with Shueisha Inc. presents: Keisuke Uyama’s Love Like the Falling Petals which started its Kickstarter campaign June 1. Be sure to check out the campaign here.
In addition, you can get a preview of all the beautiful artwork available in the campaign below. From bookmarks, tote bags, hand towels, greeting cards, folders, and calendar prints. All reflecting the beauty of Japan and the delicate fragility of love.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
