Getting to know pigta and her Tights Mates [The full interview]

A note from mppjj:

I am not an artist, I cannot draw, I cannot even draw a circle or a straight line.  But I appreciate art in all forms, I admire and respect artists, anyone who creates.  In every piece of art, it isn't just what we see, it consists of the artist's feelings, thought process, their way of expressing their thinking, messages and emotions, to be shared. 

With this minipompom flatform, we are going to introduce more artists, illustrators, and creators, in a more in-depth way that allows them to introduce themselves and their works in their own words. They and their work may already be known by many, but how many of their audience actually know more than the creations they see, or even own ?  

Moreover, many of these artists and their work deserve to be known by more people.  Through these little interviews, they will share their experience, and inspire.

We have our first interview with pigta (small letter p !!!), the creator of Tights Mates.  I enjoy very much reading her answers to my questions.  There's so much to learn from her experience.  I deliberately wait until we finish making the interview and IG posts before we put her products on the shelf, because I would like you to get to know her and the Tights Mates better, so you will appreciate her illustrations more, in a way they deserve.

Please enjoy what pigta has to say !  🫶

1. When and how did your journey as an illustrator begin? (And why?)

P: My journey as an illustrator began around 2019. At the time, I was working in a completely
different field, but I had loved drawing since I was a child, and it had always been a natural
part of my life.
I started sharing my illustrations on social media, which gradually led to commissions and
more opportunities to work as an illustrator. That's how I began my career as an illustrator.

2. For people in Hong Kong meeting you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself and your work?

P: I'm pigta, a Japanese illustrator. I create illustrations of a world of cats called "Néko".  The name comes from the Japanese word for "Neko" (猫); with a French accent mark added to give it a European touch. My experience studying in France has also influenced the world I create in my illustrations.

The cats in this world love eating and are known for their signature tights. Among them are my original characters, "Tights Mates": a group of five cats.

I'm a huge cat lover. I've always been fascinated by their sometimes surprisingly human-like expressions, their free-spirited nature, and the way they can be a little selfish at times. I love imagining how cats would behave if they lived like humans, and I have a lot of fun bringing those ideas to life through my illustrations.

3. How was Tights Mates born? What was the original idea or moment that inspired
the characters?

P: The original inspiration for Tights Mates came from my family's two cats, Tigra and Dinah.
Dinah, in particular, is such a big eater that he seems to spend all day thinking about food.  He also has a rather round belly. One day, I imagined what he would look like wearing tights, and the thought of his round belly creating a smooth, perfectly rounded silhouette made me laugh.

That was where the original idea of cats wearing tights came from.
And there's a reason why they wear tights instead of regular trousers: the elastic waistbands can stretch endlessly to accommodate their bellies, no matter how much they eat.

4. Who are the Tights Mates ? Do they have their own personalities ? 

P: Tights Mates are five cats who love food and are known for their stylish tights. They live together in a small apartment, happily spending their days thinking about what delicious things to eat next.
Each of them has a very different personality.

Biscuit is a confident boy with a mysterious charisma. But behind his confident expression, he's usually just thinking about how to get more food. He especially loves cookies and bread.

Chantilly is a dreamy little artist who loves drawing in her sketchbook. She gets so absorbed in her drawings that she sometimes loses track of her friends. Her dream is to hold her own art exhibition one day.

Guimauve is the youngest and a little spoiled. She always carries her beloved baby bottle and is curious about every new food she discovers. If someone is eating something delicious, she can't resist trying to grab a bite.

Macaron is the self-proclaimed fashion leader of the group. She loves all things shiny and beautiful, but when it comes to delicious food, she can be surprisingly stubborn.

Brioche is a gentle, easygoing boy who loves sleeping almost as much as eating. He always carries his precious green blanket and enjoys making tea for his friends.

5. Do you have a favourite Tights Mates character?

P: My favourite is Biscuit, the very first character I created. I'm especially fond of his original pose, which I still use as my Instagram profile picture.  He has such a determined expression that he looks like he’s on an important mission. But in reality, all he ever thinks about is food. I love that funny contrast between his serious
appearance and his rather silly personality.

And interestingly, whenever I sell Tights Mates merchandise, Biscuit is always the most popular character.

6. Where do you get inspiration for your illustrations and characters?

P: A lot of my inspiration comes from cats, of course! I love simply watching my family's cats, cats I come across in everyday life, or cats from all over the world that appear on my Instagram feed.

But surprisingly, I also get many ideas from things that have nothing to do with cats. For example, when I'm  watching a movie and see a beautiful street, I might imagine how funny it would be if the Tights Mates were walking down it. Or when I’m flipping through a fashion magazine, I might think, "What if the Tights Mates wore outfits like these ?"

I think I naturally find myself imagining the Tights Mates in all kinds of situations.

7. What do you hope for people to feel when they see or use a Tights Mates product?

P: I hope that when people see the Tights Mates printed on everyday items, their rounded silhouettes will bring a little smile to their faces, even in the middle of an ordinary day.

8. When you turn your illustrations into stationery, pouches, keyrings and other objects, how do you decide what should become a product?

P: When deciding what to turn into a product, I try to choose things that fit naturally into everyday life and bring a little extra joy to it.
For example, pouches, bags, and towels are practical items that people use regularly.  Stickers and keyrings, on the other hand, aren't exactly necessities, but they can make everyday belongings feel a little more special. They can also be a fun way to express your personality and show off the things you love.

I like the idea of creating products that may not be essential, but can add a little colour and
happiness to someone's day.

9. What would you like to say to your new Tights Mates friends in Hong Kong?

P: I hope you'll enjoy getting to know these slightly quirky, sometimes surreal cats who love eating, dressing up, and doing things at their own pace. I'd be so happy if you found your own favourite among the five and enjoyed having them as part of your everyday life.

10. What's next for pigta and Tights Mates?

P: I'd love for more people to get to know and fall in love with the Tights Mates, so I want to keep sharing their charm with a wider audience.
I hope to do this by sharing more of their everyday adventures on Instagram, as well as through exhibitions where people can see my illustrations in person and explore the merchandise.
And someday, if I have the opportunity to visit Hong Kong and meet everyone there in person, it would be a dream come true!

11. What advice would you give to Hong Kong Art/Design students who wish to become an independent illustrator like yourself?

P: I never studied art formally, and for a long time, I simply assumed that becoming a professional illustrator wasn’t something I could do.
I'm still learning, and there are so many things I want to improve. So I'm not really in a position to give advice, but if there's one thing I'd like to share, it's to keep drawing what you love and enjoy the process.
I believe that if you keep creating and sharing your work with others, opportunities may come your way when you least expect them.
I'm still growing as an illustrator myself, so I hope we can all keep learning and doing our best together!

🫶