Lisa Hirata
Lisa Hirata, the innovative force behind The Cheeky Asian's Art World, found her artistic rebirth amidst the pandemic, embracing pastels to craft ethereal pieces in her Long Beach sanctuary. Her vibrant canvases celebrate diversity, portraying women of color as mystical goddesses, reflecting her values of relatability and positivity. Seamlessly navigating social media's evolving landscape, Lisa's vision is showcased through collaborations, including transformative mural projects. With an eye on global art shows and a dedication to her craft, she paints her dreams into reality, embodying the essence of a modern, visionary artist. Check out our Q & A below!
Q & A with Lisa Hirata
Faeryns: Can you share your journey of how (and when) you started your business/artistic career and what inspired you to pursue this path?
Lisa: I have always strived to create, but producing original artwork didn't kick into full gear until the pandemic hit. I was formerly working as a graphic designer in the fashion industry creating textile designs and embroidery work. My own art has always taken a back seat due to the lack of time and motivation. In 2018, I was approached by a curator that I have worked with in the past about possibly doing a solo show the following year. I admit I was extremely hesitant. I haven't picked up a paintbrush in such a long time. Re-introducing myself to oils and acrylics on canvas was daunting, and on top of that, all the talented artists i've been following on social media made me feel like I fell behind on my craft. It wasn't until I came across a pastel artist by the name of Cuong Nyugen that sparked the artist inside of me. He specialized in realistic portrait work. I was mesmerized by his work to the point of borderline obsession. I've done charcoal work in the past, and honestly, it was my favorite medium. The pastel, like the charcoal, was familiar to me in its consistency. I gave it a shot and fell in love with it immediately. I started posting, what I thought was just practice artwork, onto Instagram. To my surprise, it was greatly received. I began receiving commission work. In 2019, my first ever solo art show consisted of my past works with a series of the new pastel works. The pastels were a hit! From that night, I knew I wanted to pursue a life of an artist. As I prepared myself to bid farewell to the company I have worked for over 7 years, COVID had hit the fashion industry. LA was in lockdown and I was laid off. I was given a big push into the lifestyle I wanted. Doing art at home...and oh, while getting unemployment wasn't too bad either.
Faeryns: What are the core values and mission that anchor your ambitions? How do these values influence your decision-making and business/artistic direction?
Lisa: My artworks in the past reflected heavily on my roots and upbringing. What I value now is creating a work of art that brings positivity and relatability within the viewer. A world of fantastical beings with feminine beauty and the representation of different races is what I strive for.
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Faeryns: Could you describe a significant challenge or obstacle you faced during your entrepreneurial/ artistic journey? How did you overcome it, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?
Lisa: The world of social media is a blessing and an obstacle for me. It is a great form of self marketing where I am able to reach people outside of my immediate circle of friends; however, on the other hand, society evolves in such a rapid pace. New platforms emerges, videos are preferred over pictures, the audience reach is hindered by algorithms and boosted with money, quantity trumps quality, and the consistent feed is what makes you relevant. I still struggle with this new age. The only thing I can do is observe, adapt and try to hop on that train. The best lesson I've learned is try to make a lot of content (videos and pictures) of the same product and circulate them onto the platforms often. Recycling old videos and attaching trending audio has played a great role as well!
Faeryns: Innovation and differentiation are crucial in today's competitive landscape. How do you bring a unique perspective to your industry or art form? What sets you apart from others?
Lisa: My husband's response to this question of uniqueness is, "your cheekiness." But for those that cannot see me and is only basing my art from what is posted online- one of the main differences are the depiction of women of color. On top of that, I love creating a mystical world where these women represents goddesses and/or sirens.
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Faeryns: Many entrepreneurs and artists face the tension between pursuing their creative vision and meeting market demands. How do you balance your artistic integrity with the need for commercial success?
Lisa: Balancing my artistic integrity with the need for commercial success is tough. Lately, I have been doing more commission portrait work than conceptualizing my own art. I try to organize my life accordingly and sketch rough ideas onto paper regardless of completing the ideas or not.
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Faeryns: Collaboration can be a powerful tool in entrepreneurship and art. Could you share an example of a successful collaboration or partnership that has benefited your business or artistic career? What made it successful?
Lisa: I had an opportunity to collaborate on a mural in Flint, Michigan with my husband. He's an extraordinary muralist that has been painting large scale murals for years. Though I could have done a better job, this project helped me grow as an artist. It got me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to visualize art on a much bigger scale.
Faeryns: Artists often face the challenge of monetizing their work. Can you discuss your approach to pricing, marketing, and reaching your target audience? How do you find a balance between the creative process and the business side of your work?
Lisa: Pricing. UGH. I still have difficulties in putting value to my work. I determine pricing on originals based on sentimental value, the time it took, supply cost and whether it has been accepted in shows. Normally, originals are priced too high for my demographic. I resolve this issue by making prints and merchandises of my art at a more affordable price. Actually, I find that making a variety of merchandise based on a single work of art has helped me gain fans. Repetition of the same imagery is key to being remembered.
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Faeryns: Social impact and sustainability are important considerations today. In what ways do you incorporate social or environmental responsibility into your business/artistic practices?
Lisa: Unless a specific job requires it, It's hard for me to say what social or environmental responsibilities I incorporate. Some might say, me, blowing pastel particles into my living room is environmentally irresponsible.
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Faeryns: Entrepreneurship and artistry can be demanding, with long hours and high expectations. How do you maintain your motivation, resilience, and work-life balance throughout your journey?
Lisa: Honestly, my husband is the greatest motivation and inspiration. He has been hustling almost all his life. Not having a stable income has been a difficult transition in my life, but watching and learning from him gives me hope that I can continue being a full time artist. A lot of dedication and drive. It also helps having a cheerleader in your corner!
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Faeryns: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs/artists who are looking to pursue ambitious goals while staying true to their values?
Lisa: Network. Meet a lot of people. The relationships that you gain will open doors to opportunities that will help you reach your goals. And also, having a wider audience allows you to be exposed to viewers that appreciate you for who you are as an artist.
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Faeryns: Looking back at your journey, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently? What advice would you give to your younger self?
Lisa: For me, everything happened for a reason. If I were to give my younger self an advice, I would tell myself to be more outspoken and to take risks. Don't overthink too much.
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Faeryn: Are there any resources, books, or mentors that have significantly influenced your entrepreneurial/artistic journey? How have they impacted your growth and success?
Lisa: Instagram has been a great platform in terms of self marketing, but the person that has significantly influenced my artistic journey and growth has to be my husband. Sounds a little repetitive, but it's true. Without him, I would not have met some of the most important people in my life nor would I have been able to do art shows in different states. He is my biggest resource.
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Faeryns: Can you share a story or moment that stands out as a highlight or turning point in your entrepreneurial/artistic career?
Lisa: The turning point in my life that catapulted me back into the art world is credited to one of my classmates from the pole dancing community. Actually, there were two, but one of them influenced my life the most. She saw my very first pastel drawing and hired me to draw women to represent different element signs. I told her how unconfident I was in drawing faces, but she encouraged me and believed in me. She put full trust into my work and my creative direction. Because of her, I gained the experience and practice of using this medium. Thank you Chivon Parks.
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Faeryns: Finally, what's next for your business/artistic pursuits? What ambitions do you have for the future?
Lisa: My Immediate goals are to participate in more traveling art shows and eventually going abroad. I recently completed a utility box painting project and I would love to do another for the community. And I'm currently in pre-production of another mural job. For a very long time I have been creating art and design for others without getting the recognition for them. I'm now pursuing what my heart was meant to do. I feel I have succeeded in life.
