Spotlight on: paprikaSTUDIOS

What Else You Should Know About Them:

What kind of geeky goodness will you be bringing with you to the next Geekery Market?

As I am a chibiartist, I bring all things chibi. It doesn't matter what the genre is, if I can make it a chibi, I will - much like "if there is a way, I will find a way." That means, I draw chibis from everything that can be comprised of anime, video games, comics and more. What sets me apart is that I design products to put my artworks on. paprikaSTUDIOS is mainly known for my plush pillows but I also have tote bags, tumbler cups, keychain charms, phone grips, stickers, books, stickers, and possibly more by the time the Geekery Market comes around.

What's an item you are bringing that you are really excited about?

I always try to get something new done for every convention I do to every event I go to, if time permits. While I can't tell you what that may be right now, it's definitely something to keep an eye on one of my social medias for in the future as we get close to the event!

What was the first item you ever made? How did you learn to make it?

The first item I ever made when I started doing events? Well, that would be back in 2013 when I began to create artwork specifically for events which for me, is a little over 10 years now. Back then, I was only producing prints, stickers, and these push-in old-style keychains, where I would put the art inside and seal it. Anyways, when I first started, like any fan of the series, I started with Sailor Moon chibis and the first chibi I drew from that series was Eternal Sailor Moon. I don't even know why I did that as my favorite form of Sailor Moon was her super form but I decided to go forward with the eternal form. At that time, I was already using Paint Tool SAI but I still had one of those old traditional Wacom graphic tablets where you drew on this pad but had to look at the monitor to see what you were doing. It wasn't the common drawing monitor because, at that time, it was expensive to purchase a drawing monitor. I referenced the '90s anime (Crystal wasn't out then) to ensure I got the right colors and everything else right because I wanted to include all the details I could get into that design. I was so excited when I printed that print for the first time and just stared at it for a while. It was so memorizing because I knew I was going to be attempting to sell this print, like many others, to people. It was exciting. Now I look at that same Eternal Sailor Moon print versus my style today and I cringe because my style exponentially grew. Still, some people look at it and love it, which is why I haven't been able to retire the design. I can only think that when they see that piece of art, like all my art, people can see the love and joy I pour into it, making it appealing to them; outside of the fandom.

What else would you like everyone to know about your wares?

I am very particular about quality when it comes to the items I sell at my booth. My motto is, "If I don't love it, how am I suppose to sell it?". Stating that, I stand behind the quality of my items that are sold at my booth/table.

If you could travel anywhere in space or time, real or imagined, where would you want to go?

So there's this game called Honkai Star Rail that I love to play and they have a world in there called Penacony. In the game, Penacony is referred to as the Planet of Festivities where the world exists within what's called a Dreamscape and to visit it, you have to sleep. I loved the mechanics of that world, to experience the waking world and dream world at will. For me, it just resonated with my artistic soul with how beautiful everything was and the transitions. It also didn't help that the world is based on the Flapper Era of the 1920s, which I love. That would be something I would love to experience.