Saya
Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
I am a Japanese Canadian artist based in Vancouver and Montreal. I founded my brand “foonie” in 2020, through which I produce works filled with deep feelings, everyday beauty and tiny magical spirits. I am the most passionate about making greeting cards, which I believe can connect family and friends, and the local community.
Have you always been a maker?
I have always been a creative soul since I was a child. I love to feel, imagine, and to share.
What draws you towards your craft?
In this age of digitalization and efficiency, the idea of physical cards is even more special. Despite being inefficient, sending and receiving greeting cards is loving and heartwarming. I love making cards because I enjoy being part of this exchange of love, as well as to pass on this sweet tradition.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I get my inspiration from seemingly trivial miracles in daily life. I am a sensitive and emotional person and I try to incorporate these colourful feelings in my work. For example, when I miss my parents in Japan, I create something that speaks to my sense of home and nostalgia, such as miso soup or cherry blossoms.
What are your favourite subjects to draw?
I love personifying everyday objects, plants and animals in my work. Above all, I adore mushrooms and I find drawing them truly joyful. I like to give my subjects whimsical and relatable personalities and I communicate lots of feelings through these characters.
Is there anything in your workspace that you couldn’t live without?
SUNLIGHT, coffee, groovy music, sturdy table, fast internet, wholesome snacks, plants, and lots of colours and shapes.
What’s the best thing about living a creative life?
Everything I experience, even the “bad”, ends up enriching my imagination. The more I go through, the more relatable my art becomes and I have more to share. In other words, I can live life less based on the simple duality of “good” and “bad”.
What motivates you?
It is very special to see people relate to what I draw with a little spark in their eye. I want to make art that heals and brings a sense of belonging to others and myself. At the end of the day, the connections and relations created through art motivate me to produce more.
Who are your design heroes?
William Morris. I always go back to these words of Morris: “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.”
To find out more, visit her website foonie and check out a selection of her incredible work in our online store.
Saya’s Work
