Damien Bartlakowski
Damien is a French illustrator with a background in graphic design. His years spent living abroad in the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan especially, shaped his distinctive artistic vision and design philosophy.
Vision
Deeply inspired by Japan, his illustrations blend traditional techniques and motifs with an infusion of modern details, to create pieces that echo the harmony between past and present; an honouring of tradition while embracing contemporary life.
Inspiration
During his three years in Japan, Damien truly immersed himself in Japanese culture and tradition, living and working at the Kakurinbo temple in Yamanashi Prefecture.
He also traveled the country extensively by bicycle, observing and absorbing the local way of life and its rich heritage along the way.
A highlight of his experience was the honour of studying traditional Japanese art techniques under his sensei Masaaki Sasamoto, to whom he is endlessly grateful.
To this day, Damien continues to return to Japan for a few months each year in pursuit of truly mastering this time honoured craft.
“If heaven gives me ten more years, or an extension of even five years, I shall surely become a true artist.”
— Hokusai