We recently connected with Kotono Ogihara and have shared our conversation below.

Kotono, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

“What do you do to make a living besides chalk art? I can’t even count how many times I’ve been asked this question, which really shows how rare it is to be a full-time chalk artist. Most of my fellow chalk artists work alongside their main jobs, such as graphic design. However, I’ve chosen to focus on being a full-time chalk artist. The reason is simple: I never feel mentally tired, no matter how much I work on something I love. It may sound a bit exaggerated, but since work occupies so much of our lives, following my passion and being able to help others is truly meaningful to me.
When I first arrived in Los Angeles from Japan three years ago, I had no connections at all. I spent a lot of time handing out my business cards at restaurants and cafes, and I often created free samples to build my portfolio. Recently, I have been fortunate to receive more corporate projects, which has brought me a great deal of stability.
I believe that getting out there to connect with people, and keep taking actions without worrying about personal gains, has been essential for turning my passion into a full-time career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I learned my skills directly from a chalk art pioneer in Australia. My unique style features two distinct types of artworks on a single chalkboard: contrasting white chalky lines and smooth, realistic drawings. This combination not only captures attention but also sets my work apart. Using special chalk and a blackboard, I create vibrant, smudge-proof art that goes beyond traditional chalk techniques, which is relatively unknown in the U.S.

Recently, due to physical distance and time limitations, I am facing the limits of services that we can provide to my clients by myself. To address this, I am preparing to launch practical chalk art magnets inspired by my experiences and client needs. These will cater to individual businesses like bakeries and cafes, as well as personal events such as children’s birthdays and weddings.
I’m excited to share the joy of blackboards with a wider audience through this product line.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Unlike a painter whose work is born 100% from his own ideas, my work as a chalk artist is over 50% determined by the client’s wishes. I talk with clients to finalize the designs, but they easily change their minds or ask for something completely different on the day of the project. People who have never done design may find it hard to understand how complicated these changes can be.
Maybe I should consider about charging a fee for changes as a professional in the future, but I always try to enjoy and embrace these last-minute requests. Even if one design goes to waste, I believe that the efforts I have put in will never be wasted and will always be beneficial to myself.
Also, my profession is very rare, so I think it’s rather natural for people to have people who don’t understand the process and complexity. So instead of blaming people who don’t understand, I cherish people who understand my job and try to work together for as long as possible. Of course, I understand that skill improvement is essential for that, and that is also one of the motivations.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding moment for me is when someone who didn’t care about owning art asks me for a piece. I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including menus for restaurants and decorative wall art, as well as custom designs for weddings and birthdays. My smudge-free chalk art, which originated in Australia, is still pretty new to many people in the U.S.

Generally, I think many people feel that owning custom artwork is a high barrier. But I believe that chalk art, which combines both painting and signage, feels more accessible. It’s so fulfilling when shops and individuals who weren’t initially interested in art discover the warm, inviting nature of my chalk art and think, “This could be perfect for us!”

I feel that chalk art can help people discover the joy of owning customized, one-of-a-kind art, and can be a great help in taking the first step toward loving art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kokoart.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k0k0_art/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/qGPBhk8qPQk?feature=shared
• Other: New product Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/chalky_mag/