Hello, friends! Today I would like to introduce you to Kiko Himura, whose book, Starfish, I have not read. I asked her a few questions and she was kind enough to answer them for me!
Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.
But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.
From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.
If this book sounds up your alley, pick it up at Amazon or Indiebound!
What things do you always keep with you? Why?
WHAT I WANT TO SAY:
The Batman keychain Jamie gave me, because it makes me feel safe. It makes me feel like I’m not alone, and like there’s someone out there who cares about me.
WHAT I ACTUALLY SAY:
My sketchbook and a good mechanical pencil, because I need them to draw.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
WHAT I WANT TO SAY:
When people keep asking me “what’s wrong” when I’m quiet, especially when I’m surrounded by people. Usually when I’m quiet, it’s because I’m trying not to draw attention to myself or internally freaking out because I’m uncomfortable. Asking what’s wrong makes me feel like I’ve failed on both accounts, and then I end up feeling even more awkward.
WHAT I ACTUALLY SAY:
Loud music when I’m painting.
Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
WHAT I WANT TO SAY:
In a different dimension or timeline where Mom actually cared about my art (and me).
WHAT I ACTUALLY SAY:
In New York, as long as I could go to Prism.
How do you measure success for yourself?
WHAT I WANT TO SAY:
Living a life where I don’t feel bad about just being me.
WHAT I ACTUALLY SAY:
Being a good enough artist to get into Prism.
Who are three artists that have inspired you? What about their work has inspired you?
WHAT I WANT TO SAY:
Hiroshi Matsumoto x 3. Because he sees how the world is full of different perspectives, and he knows that beauty is more than one thing. And he’s not afraid to put himself in his paintings, and to tell the world what he really thinks. His art is honest, and I want my art to be like that too.
WHAT I ACTUALLY SAY:
Same as above, because I’m not embarrassed to admit that Hiroshi Matsumoto is my hero.
~*~
Disclaimer: All links to Indiebound and Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you buy through those links, I will make a small amount of money off of it.