Art Chowder March | April, Issue 26 | Page 12

There are many things that keep me focused when I enter the realm of a new project. Walking in nature, especially among deciduous trees or near a river, is the best creative therapy for me. To be able to create a cinematic-like experience from a simple sound, object, color, emotion or scenery takes patience and confidence. Awareness and resourcefulness over time flows naturally from conscientious effort, humbleness, sensitivity and gratefulness for all living beings.  I discover every technique by observing humans, live animals and natural tones of landscapes. I then duplicate them over and over again until they match what I want to represent, sometimes taking months to see the result.   Real experiences, visions, and dreams are my starting point, but it’s my duty to interpret those ideas, mold them and then detail them.  12 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE MJ: Where do you think this sense of “duty” comes from? Akiane: I’m not certain but I’ve felt, since the age of six and a half, a need to interpret the world around me and inspire others.