They grow anywhere they want, in many colours, and their blooms are so lively. I can see that kind of beauty in the people who are familiar to me. I’d like to capture the moments I experience with them, so they are not lost.
Since 2010, Ayaka has focused on portraiture. Most of the works for this exhibition were created from face-to-face sessions with real models. Inspiration for the remainder of the works is drawn from flowers, memories of places traveled and her daily life. Ayaka aims to capture the natural expressions of the models in a relaxed environment. She records the true emotions of the models at the time the painting is executed, and the essence of the subjects are further explored through the artist’s imagination. Her works of portraiture are focused on representing the true character of the model. As a result, her models are often people who are familiar to her, such as friends and family who feel comfortable opening themselves up in her presence. Ayaka said the models all left "lively impressions" on her, and she wanted to attempt to capture that essence in a minimal way. her production of a single work often takes around 30 minutes. She selects her colours during conversation with the model, allowing the colours to reflect the mood of the moment, and the overall personality of the model themselves. In her own way, by drawing and painting the carefree beauty of people, in small moments of time, she is attempting to turn the spotlight on the importance of everyday people, and the nature of daily life. These are things we often cast off AS being commonplace, and Ayaka wishes us to take a moment and appreciate that there is great beauty in the simplicity of these small moments in our day-to-day lives.