Back in June I sat down to have an online conversation with André Zadorozny for his podcast The Unfinished Print. It’s a niche podcast all about mokuhanga, and we discussed my printmaking practice, as well as my career in illustration, my travels, and how everything in my life has fed into my work.
I’m always a bit nervous speaking in interviews, but as I had met Andre at the mokuhanga conference in Japan in the Spring, it felt a little less daunting, and I relaxed into it. We covered a wide range of subjects and had alot of fun.
“The journey of an artist is a winding one. You make the decision to start, not knowing where it will take you. Over time, if you're fortunate, you build a career from your work while gaining the freedom to explore new forms of expression, with each project becoming an important and affirming part of that journey.”
In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Mariko Jesse, a professional illustrator who has integrated mokuhanga into her artistic practice. Mariko draws inspiration from her life experiences, sharing insights on her family and travels. We discuss how living in San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Japan has shaped her outlook and creative process. Mariko also reflects on her involvement with MI Lab, now based in Echizen, Japan, as well as travelling to the International Mokuhanga Conference in April 2024. Finally, we explore Mariko's collaborations with The Mokuhanga Sisters and wood+paper+box, and how these partnerships shape her own artistic practice. - A. Zadorozny