SOULFUL HUMANS: Michael Zhou, Illustrator, Osaka shi, Osaka, Japan

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Michael Zhou, Illustrator, Osaka shi, Osaka, Japan

Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

Michael Zhou: " I looked up to the sky, and saw birds flying free .. and I said to myself what the hell are we human doing to ourselves and to the planet. "

BPP: Identity: Who you are? And who you really are?

Michael Zhou: My name is Michael Zhou, illustrator, born in China 33 years ago. My second hometown is New Zealand, and I am now living in Japan with my beautiful wife and our lovely cat. I started drawing at age 7, studied art & design in universities, and worked as a graphic designer & illustrator. I am now focusing completely on illustration as I believe strongly that this is what I really want to do. I am an illustrator, art is my meditation & religion, I am here to create and to share with all of you.

"A great magician" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: If you could say something important you've learned all these years of your life, to the other people and they were able to listen to you, what would you like to tell them?

Michael Zhou: Try to stay positive. Even thought the natural balance of good & evil is hard to break, you still need to keep doing the good. I believe great men are the men who had broken the cycle and kept their faith on the positive path.

"Back to the water" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: What is your real dream, the one that keeps you awake at nights and if one day it will come true, you will feel your heart calm and peacefull?

Michael Zhou:That I would be able to keep my faith on the positive path until the end of my time on earth. As I do so, I would be able to keep creating, and people would come to understand & share my strength, my belief, and my true identity.

"Battle with the evil" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: How is life for the people in your country today? What do you wish to happen to them and to the people of this planet at large?

Michael Zhou: Just like anywhere else, people in Japan are living in fear. There are way too many problems based on politicians' views. Nuclear war, bankruptcy and the death of capitalism. I looked up to the sky, and saw birds flying free as always, singing beautiful songs and chatting happily, and I said to myself what the hell are we human doing to ourselves and to the planet! There are so many simple ways to make life happy! I wish people could all realize this simple fact.

"Chess Game" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: If you had the chance to be a child again, will you choose to do the same life you do?

Michael Zhou: I wouldn't, because I really enjoy fresh & different environment all the time, I love to experience & learn new things!

"Magic Force" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

"Midnight Blossom: - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

"Secret Garden" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

"Secret Path" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: Which exactly was the moment you understood what you want to do in your life? How did you feel at this very moment?

Michael Zhou: Every time when I started creating, I felt total happiness, completeness & love, and it's a unique moment which I don't normally feel in other activities.

"Fall of Queen's city" - Image courtesy: Michael Zhou

BPP: Something yours: Do you want to tell us something we didn't ask you until now?

Michael Zhou: If you are waiting for happiness to be brought to you, start fighting for it today!