If you love the Cat Town Crest products in our online shop, you have Hanae Ko to thank. As part of our series highlighting local artists who put their skills and talent to work for our cats, we’re pleased to tell you more about Hanae, and her art!
Artwork by Hanae Ko
Cat Town: What is your biggest source of inspiration?
Hanae Ko: In my artwork, I like to draw things that are cute, silly, or both. I’m originally from Japan and my biggest source of inspiration is this idea that any random object or being has the potential to be a lovable character—which I think is a cultural phenomenon that’s kind of unique to Japan. In Japan, every town, city, organization, company and cause have their own official (and often unofficial) mascots, which tend to be representative of local specialties. Many of these mascots are conventionally cute, like those based on regional animals—but a lot of them are joyfully bizarre, like a city mascot that is a sentient rice cake wearing a samurai helmet, for example. There’s this great Twitter account called @MondoMascots that keeps track of all these Japanese mascots, which I highly recommend for everyone to check out. It’s a great source for me when I want to think outside the box and make a fun, original illustration.
CT: Do you have a favorite project in your portfolio?
HK: My favorite project is my Zodiac Cat illustrations, which features a series of cats dressed up as the 12 signs of the zodiac. I was inspired to make them when I adopted my two cats a couple years ago, as a way to embrace my new status as a cat mom, and because I like drawing cute animals in silly situations. I had to get creative with thinking up ways I could portray the zodiac signs as cats, because some of the symbols don’t have obvious representations, and that was really fun! I also made them into pin buttons, because I love collecting cute pins and wanted to make my own. You can see all of my Zodiac Cat pins (and more!) on my Etsy shop.
CT: How did you get involved with Cat Town?
HK: My first encounter with Cat Town was as a visitor to the cafe when it first opened in 2014. As an expat of Japan, where cat cafes first became super popular, I was excited when Cat Town opened as the first one ever in America, here in the Bay Area. And as a visitor, I was really impressed by Cat Town’s mission and operations as a rescue organization. So later on when my husband expressed an interest in adopting cats, I immediately thought of Cat Town. And that’s where we eventually adopted a pair of bonded brothers, Bucky and Wellington (née Campbell and Linden), who live with us now in Berkeley. Since then, I’ve continued to follow Cat Town on social media, which is where I found out about last year’s t-shirt design contest. As an artist I thought it would be a fun way to interact with the Cat Town community, and so I threw my hat in. And I’m glad I did, because I got so much positive feedback for my design, and it’s been a wonderful experience being part of such a cool project to raise awareness for Cat Town!
Bucky and Wellington (née Campbell and Linden) at Cat Town in 2014.
Bucky and Wellington today.
CT: Have you always loved cats, and do you have any cats at home?
HK: Right up until I adopted my two cats from Cat Town, I was always more of a dog person, because I’d stereotypically assumed that cats were aloof and more coy. But having Bucky and Wellington in my life completely changed me into a ride-or-die cat person, and now I can never go back! I’m really glad my husband convinced me to adopt our cats, because they are the sweetest, funniest, and most loving furry friends that we could have asked for. They have us completely wrapped around their little paws, and being their human parents/butlers brings us endless joy!
“Being part of a collective has been great for me as an artist, because I have the opportunity to get great advice and encouragement from my peers, as well as collaborate on cool art projects that wouldn’t be as possible if I were just on my own.”
CT: What other organizations do you support through your art?
HK: My zodiac cat pins are included in a series of self-care kits sold by a San Diego-based maker called Empath Essentials, where a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the San Diego Humane Society. Much like Cat Town, the San Diego Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate as well as long-term welfare for local animals in need, and it’s been a real honor to be able to contribute to their cause through my art.
CT: Do you have any advice for artists looking to get more involved with their community?
HK: In my personal experience, it’s been really helpful to reach out and connect with fellow artists. A couple years ago, I got to know a wonderful local artist (shout out to Izzy Fischer!) through my day job and, fortunately for me, she was kind enough to take me under her wing and give me really useful tips and advice on how I could expand my work as an artist. Since then, she and I have become great friends and (together with two other artists, Katie Crumpton and WeirdVanity) have formed an art collective called the UniqueCorns. Being part of a collective has been great for me as an artist, because I have the opportunity to get great advice and encouragement from my peers, as well as collaborate on cool art projects (like showing our work in local events and craft fairs) that wouldn’t be as possible if I were just on my own.
CT: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
HK: In these crazy times, I think art is a great provider of escape, comfort, and joy—whether it’s through a beautiful painting or a silly little cartoon. Which is why I think it’s really cool that Cat Town is using its platform to spotlight artists, on top of all the tireless lifesaving work that it continues to do for cats in need during this pandemic. I would similarly encourage everyone to support your local artists, by buying the gift of art for your family, friends, or to treat yourself
