MJ: Your website says you see
yourself as a “Journalist Artist.” What
does that mean?
Akiane: A journalist might find a story
and interview people in order to share
it via paper and print. I, on the other
hand, find a subject/person and paint
everything I see, feel, or dream of it/
them. I don’t need to know the person.
When I first saw the subject of my
painting, 16 Lives in the Wind I didn’t
need to know him because I want my
brush to tell the story first. The brush
can say things that words cannot.
MJ: If you could throw a dinner party
for anyone throughout history, who
would you invite and why?
Akiane: I would invite my relatives,
Audrey Hepburn, Einstein, Mozart,
Malala Yousafzai, Hayao Miyazaki,
Seong-Jin Cho, and Princess Diana.
I always am inspired by people
who think outside the box and
communicate with an open mind. I enjoy
positive people who use their potential
for wholesome creativity and the
betterment of mankind and who inspire
people at the same time!
Through cinematography, people’s
perspectives and outlooks change. I’m
blessed that through my artistic films, I
too can be a part of that change.
I am also working on doing my own art
exhibition in the coming months as well
as releasing my third book.
No. 7” was good, as was “Castaway on
the Moon.”
I also enjoy older films, from before CG
and all this new technology. The stories
were better written because they didn’t
have all the special effects to rely upon.
They had more substance.
MJ: Sounds like a great party. So
what are you currently working on
and where can folks go to see your
work?
Akiane: My lifelong dream has always
been to represent the most gifted artists,
so they can achieve their goals and fulfill
their dreams — the opportunity that
once was bestowed upon me.
I’d like to start an Arts and Science
Academy eventually and I’m always
looking for the perfect place to do so
when I travel.
I’ve also been always interested
in the film industry because of
its profound impact on society.
16 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
MJ: Sounds great! What do you want
to do with film?
Akiane: I’ve already started by
producing and directing some short films
that can be found on my website and
YouTube. Eventually, I’d like to run a
complete studio, but painting and poetry
will always be my main focus.
MJ: Do you have any favorite
films, things you’ve enjoyed or that
influenced you?
Akiane: I enjoy foreign films —
Soviet animation, French and Korean
independent films — “Miracle in Cell
MJ: As a writer I know this is a
difficult question, but when can we
expect your third book to become
available?
Akiane: That is a difficult question. I’ve
been working on this third book for a
while and it’s getting close, but I can’t
tell you exactly when it will be ready.
What I can tell you is that it is a much
more intimate project than my previous
books. It has a more detailed perspective
on my life, more stories about my
paintings, and back stories about my
poetry.