By Monica Morones
Painter, Tattoo artist, and Animator IshaTakomaki (Marissa Parayno) opens up about the struggles, labels, and the learning process of being an artist. Multi-talented with a distinguishable style and positive attitude continues to keep Isha striving towards new ventures and possibilities.
MM: How old are you and where are you from?
IT: I am twenty-nine years old. I am from Porterville, California. I lived most of my life traveling from town to town, but Porterville was where I was raised most of my life. I had finally moved here to the Coachella valley at the age of 16 when I was a junior. My family relocated here because my father got a job here. I attended Coachella Valley high school and my math teacher threw me into the AP Art class one day during his class period. He said I belonged there.
MM: You go by the artist name IshaTakomaki. How did you come up with that name?
IT: “IshaTakomaki,” it’s a whole name. My mom has called me Isha since I was 4 years old because my little brothers and sister couldn’t say my real name. I just randomly made up the Takomaki end part just because I liked the phonetics of it, and because I could make a cute looking logo out of it. My real name is a Filipino first and last name and because I am part Japanese as well, I wanted to use the Japanese language to make up a last name for my artist name.
MM: How did it all begin?
IT: My mother was my first teacher. She showed me how to read, write, and draw. I was always imagining “what if…” so I used art to create everything and anything I could imagine.
MM: What would you describe as your style?
IT: I suppose I can say my art is “self-taught” with influences of: Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Expressionism, Folk Art and Modernism.
MM: Did you go to school and what are your thoughts on that?
IT: Quite honestly, I went to college at a vulnerable-immature state. Vulnerable because I was young and high school kept pounding it into my head that I needed to go to college to “become” somebody. Immature because I didn’t know what was important to me in life at the time. I regrettably attended Brooks College for animation. I did graduate and I received an A.S. in animation. Shortly two years after, the college was shut down for good, due to fraud and embezzlement. I learned throughout the years that you can learn anything by teaching yourself through trial and error; and resources such as the internet or library. Also, the people you surround yourself with influence and motivate you. “Surround yourself with wisdom, and you too will become wise.”
MM: What is your favorite medium to work with and why?
IT: I like acrylic paint! I love that I can freely use it to look like watercolor, or oil paint (without the commitment of waiting for it to dry for a week.)
MM: Where have you shown your work?
IT: Palm Desert Art Museum, The Date Festival, Michael H. Lord Gallery, The Hood, Raices Culturas, Porterville Developmental Center, The Hue Music and Arts Festival, The Walter N. Marks center for the arts. The list goes further. I also worked on an animation short “Torrey Pines: Deliverance” It won for Best Animated Short at the Moondance Film Festival. I did the background design and worked as a “clean-up artist.”
MM: You are also a tattoo artist. When did you start tattooing?
IT: I started learning about tattoos in 2007. I am self-taught. I did a lot of research, read articles, watched videos, learned about sanitation, blood borne pathogens. I could not find, at the time, an available artist in the Coachella Valley for an apprenticeship. I looked for two years and then I gave up. I decided to tattoo myself for practice, so that I could grasp the idea of tattooing on real skin. I later then started tattooing family members, and after a year of practicing I decided to check with the shops again and see if there were any apprenticeships available. A lot of the shops didn’t want to take me because I was considered a “scratcher.” I was giving up hope, until I met this Filipino artist in Palm Desert! He wanted to help me. He wanted to teach me and I felt so happy that he loved my style! Unfortunately the elder female shop owner over heard that I had been tattooing (and that was a big No No). She was yelling at me, cursing, calling me names, telling me she doesn’t want him to teach me because she doesn’t “want my kind” in there. So I moved along to another shop and found a spot, but I had to pay $6,000 for 3 months; they wanted $3,000 upfront, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the money. So I gave up. Then later down the line a police officer/tattoo shop owner, saw my tattoo work on some girl and gave her a card. He said “Tell her to call me, I really would love to have her work for my shop,” and so I worked at a shop for a year, then moved to a different shop for another year or so. I’ve had some really kind people willing to teach me and help me, I am very thankful. There will always be obstacles, negativity, people criticizing you; but you have to remember that whatever your dream may be, there is no greater obstacle than yourself. You can decide to further your education and become whomever you wish. I have a friend who has less than a year tattooing and every day, he did everything he could to find a place in a shop. He listened with his heart and mind to what I and other artists had to teach him… his dream has been realized, and I am very happy for him. Never give up! Keep your heart in it 100%
MM: What do you think is the biggest struggle for you as an artist?
IT: “The starving artist,” I had not realized the meaning until I experienced it. I rarely sell artwork. I wouldn’t be able to make a living off painting. I paint for myself for most part. When I do showcase my art I like to “people watch.” I like to see the expressions on people’s faces, and I like to eavesdrop on what they have to say…I find it interesting.
MM: What do you think of the art scene in the Coachella Valley?
IT: I like the fact that the art community grows each year. There is more opportunity to show case in the desert such as: Raices Culturas or Coachella Valley Art Scene. I like that those places try to inspire and spark interest in our community.
MM: What are your future goals for your art career?
IT: My goals are indefinite and are constantly changing. I would rather not set anything into stone. I’m free-spirited and I wouldn’t want to constrain my mind to one thing. The universe has something great planned for me and I welcome the unknown.
MM: What is the root of your inspiration?
IT: Emotion. Whether it be sadness, anger, anxiety, happiness, pain or love, my artwork reflects my emotion; as well as people and the impact they have on me. That is inspiring.
See more of Isha’s work at www.facebook.com/IshaTakoMakiInk
Photos By George Duchannes
