Having received confirmation from the Luxembourg embassy in Tokyo, Lynn is already scoping the vicinity where she will be living and illustrating for two months starting 1 May 2018.
The philosophy of the Youkobo Art Space is that “art should be open to everyone, and as such may be used as an essential tool in fostering communication and understanding between people of different cultures.”
This is part of the intrigue for Lynn, in fact. As she told Delano, she is eager to see how the setting might influence her work, even the colours she uses. She anticipates using the first week of her residency absorbing the culture and hopes to create a “visual diary” of her life there. “During my first week, I want to do some research. I’ve always been fascinated with how objects, people and architecture are interrelated,” she said, adding: “I’m curious to see how being in Tokyo might influence my style.”
Inspired by Asia
Lynn hopes to share in daily life and find what she calls “cosy moments” in Japan, as well as to talk with other artists and creative minds. “I imagine Tokyo as a city of contrasts: on one hand, I think of this calm, Japanese culture, but it also seems like a fast-paced city.”
But equally Lynn hopes to share Luxembourg (and some Luxembourgish words) with others. Lynn’s current work, with its retro feel reminiscent of the 1950s, focuses on daily life in Luxembourg. A former architect, Lynn has been to Asia before: she actually launched her own blog (now her company), Cosymore, in 2015, after being inspired by a two-week backpacking trip to Vietnam.
The top 5
Lynn also gets inspiration from her favourite illustrators. She says that others via social media, especially Instagram, have been “incredibly supportive”, and it’s a place where she also tests new styles and gets feedback on her own work.
Here are the top five illustrators who have influenced Lynn’s work.
Miroslav Šašek
This Czech illustrator, born in 1916 in Prague, was also an architect before delving into children’s literature. Among Lynn’s favourites are his books giving pictorial tours of various cities (the 18-book series started with his 1959 “This is Paris”). Lynn especially likes his 1960s style.
Olle Eksell
Born in Kopparberg, Sweden, Eksell (1918-2007) studied illustration and graphic art during World War II before heading to the US with his wife, a fashion designer, in 1946. His famous eyes, “Ögon Cacao”, are among Lynn’s favourites, and she appreciates his “reduced colour schemes”.
Ryo Takemasa
A Tokyo-based artist born in 1981, Lynn has found herself revisiting Takemasa’s work recently as she prepares for her residency. A freelancer since 2010, Takemasa’s illustrations lighten up everyday drudgery, from taking a metro to going grocery shopping, and they have been featured in books, magazines and advertising. Although active on Instagram, he mainly shares his inspiration from nature or city scenes. “I like his street scenes, which are calm, elegant and simple,” Lynn says.
Bodil Jane
Based in Amsterdam, Bodil Jane illustrates packaging, maps, food and more; her clients include Elle, Chronicle Books and Waitrose. Lynn likes her feminine style and “charming colour palettes”, adding: “I consider her a role model. It’s not my style exactly, but I see that she is pushing herself and working a lot.”
Born in 1986, this Rotterdam-based illustrator calls herself a “prettymaker” and has been an inspiration to Lynn in how to make a business out of illustrating. Wuyster’s work includes hand-lettering and has appeared in magazines, educational boardgames, birth announcements, invitations, and more. “I was following her even before I started illustrating,” Lynn admits.