We’re proud to announce that a new international talent, Kaho Suzuki, has joined Napa Agency’s roster!
️We’re excited to welcome such amazing talent to our agency’s roster! Kaho’s illustrations are a fresh combination of crisp colors and flat surfaces. She enjoys adding a hint of irony and humor to her works – and that’s why we think she is a perfect fit to Napa’s already superb gang of illustrators! Check out Kaho’s portfolio on Napa Agency’s site! 🌸
Hi Kaho! Nice to meet you and welcome to Napa! Would you please introduce yourself and how you became an illustrator? Is there a particular memory from your childhood and youth when you first became aware of illustrations and their impact?
I’m Kaho Suzuki, originally from Japan and currently live in Tampere (this is my second time living in Finland). I graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts and continued my art study at the former Nordic Art School in Kokkola. In 2020, I moved to Norway to earn a Master’s degree in visual communication, and that’s where my career as an illustrator naturally began. After completing my master’s program, my wordless picture book/master’s project was nominated for a Norwegian design award, and I was also selected as a “young satirical illustrator,” which may have been the beginning of my recognition as a professional illustrator. I have been involved in illustration projects in various countries, including Japan, Finland, Norway, and Estonia.
I joined a local art class in my hometown when I was three, where I met my great art teacher, and continued going for 13 years. I also had an intensive art education at a high school with an art department. So, I don’t think there was a specific event that triggered me to pursue this path, but art has just always been a part of my life.
Tell us about your typical workday as an illustrator – what is the first task you do in the morning and how does your day usually end?
My day usually starts with checking and replying to emails. I prefer to do admin tasks in the morning and creative work in the afternoon. I often keep working on something until late (maybe I’m too Japanese…). My final task of the day is learning Finnish with an app before going to bed.
You have quite an international background! How did you end up moving to Finland?
Well, this is going to be a rather long story, but to put it simply, Finland was the first foreign country that I became interested in and visited many times. When I was an art high school student, I remember that I always kept a book called “Studio Visit -18 artists’ studios in Helsinki” by Napa Books on my school desk, and had a vague longing to live as an artist/illustrator in Finland. Some years ago, when I decided to seriously focus on a career as an illustrator, I was torn between doing it in Norway, where I was living at the time and was familiar with, in my home country of Japan, or in Finland, where I love but have no business connections. My decision was to take on the challenge in a place I truly wanted to go, even if it meant failing. Although I previously lived in Finland as a student, building my life from scratch as an entrepreneur in another country was probably the biggest challenge of my life. However, I believe that this risky situation motivates me a lot.
How have the different countries you’ve lived in affected your career, or even illustration style?
I grew up with lots of manga (Japanese comics), so I think I learned about visual storytelling from them. The crisp colors I often use and the flat illustration style may be influenced by the everyday objects and scenery seen in Norway and Finland.
What are the cornerstones of your artworks, what’s your stylistical go-to?
I enjoy adding a hint of irony and humor to my illustrations. Playfulness is the key to my artwork!
What’s your work environment like? Name the first five things in your field of vision now!
A laptop, a tablet, earphones, an empty coffee mug, and an invoice for electricity.
Recently, I got a new working space with a cozy basement and lovely people 🙂
What else do you do apart from illustrating? Do you have any interesting or weird hobbies / interests?
I have no hobbies, that’s one of my weaknesses… haha
But visiting galleries and museums is one of my go-to weekend activities! Also, I like vintage items and enjoy going to flea markets to find weird stuff.
What has been the most challenging and coolest illustration assignment so far? And what would you like to work with next? (Dream client / project)
I was delighted to create illustrations for Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway). Dealing with diverse cultures, religions, and social themes is always challenging, but it was a great honor as an illustrator to be involved in such meaningful projects.
I’m interested in all kinds of work, but one of my dreams is to create illustrations for items people see every day, namely, product packaging. I would also like to take on large-scale projects such as murals and stage decorations.
What is your advice to all beginning talents in the illustration field? And do you have any tips for your new clients who are planning to commission illustrations from you?
My advice – “just keep going.” If you stop what you’re doing, no one will ever find your talent!
To new clients – I like people, I like conversation, and I like learning new things! I enjoy the process of building a project together, so I look forward to collaborating with you while both having fun and being honest with each other 🙂
CURRENT TOP 7:
Book: Lotta series / Astrid Lindgren – No,1 children’s book since my childhood! This might have been the very first thing that sparked my interest in Nordic culture.
Album: Seasons / Maja Mannila – My talented friend <3
Movie: Big Fish – My all-time favorite.
Exhibition: I Call It Art / Oslo National Museum (2022) – Incredibly inspiring exhibition!
Material (or texture): Acrylic paints – I seem to be obsessed with flat textures.
The city: Kokkola – The two years I spent there were truly precious.
Favourite “Finnish thing or specialty”: Coffee break – Tea is good too :3
Thank you so much Kaho for the chat! It’s been lovely getting to know you a little bit better. We’re so thrilled to have you join our illustrator roster!
Kaho Suzuki
Portfolio: napa-agency.fi/kaho-suzuki
Instagram: @oha_k_aho