Upon the suggestion of my friend Annika Victoria, while visiting Japan, I stopped by Shimokitazawa Garage, a hybrid thrift-store-art-market appropriately housed in a dimly-lit, haphazard garage-like structure. While perusing, I stopped dead in my tracks when I encountered a small cubby filled with stickers, necklaces, and various other memorabilia by artist Jin Hoshino. The trinkets mostly featured Alice in Wonderland-esque drawings of incredible detail. It felt like you could reach out and touch a strand of the Cheshire cat's fur, take a sip of the bottle labelled "Drink Me" that rested so delicately in Alice's hands -- yet despite their precisionist nature, they were also delightfully surreal. I knew immediately I had to find out more about the artist behind these creations. Luckily he agreed to my request for an interview over email. Despite the language barrier, Jin's answers are simplistic, but revealing of his talent as an artist.
What work are you most proud of?
That my job is drawing pictures, because that's when I can express myself the most.
Who do you think is the most creative person alive?
I don't have an answer for this, but I am a creative cartoonist. I truly handle all the composition of the story and how to show the scene myself.
Where do you get inspiration for your work?
I get inspiration from all the information that goes into my eyes and ears. I think there are ideas everywhere.
Do you think that your work will change at all in the future?
Nobody knows what is going on in the future. I want to put my utmost into what I do now.
Has your work changed at all?
I have been drawing since I was little. I have had many experiences, but when I look at my current work, it shows myself the most.
Images used in collage via @hoshinoko175