Tell me a little about yourself, about your life?
I was born and raised in Fukuoka Japan. After finishing high school I moved to the United States and studied at a woman's college in Virginia. After which I moved to Savannah, Georgia where I majored in a Fibers graduate program. I lived there since summer 2006. At the moment, I’ve finished my thesis show which debut in August 2008 and is now looking for a job.

Where did you go to school?
Randolph- Macon Woman's College in Virginia and graduated May 2006.
Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated with a Master of Fine Art in Fiber Design.

What classes did you study? What is your major?
Repeat pattern design, screen printing, jacquard weaving, CAD surface design, images on fabric; digital fabric printing, 3D fibers.

What helped you become the artist you are today?
My experiences living in different places in US and Japan. During my childhood days, I went to a neighborhood art and craft school where I experienced and learned many different approaches to express myself in art.

What do you hope to become one day?
I hope to become a Pattern Designer specializing in motif and pattern design.

Do you intend to stay in the States for a long time?
Yes if I can.

Who are your influences?  
My favorite designers and artists are Elizabeth Murray, Dries Van Notten, Tsumori Chisato, and Eley Kishimoto.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everyday occurrences and little things we easily dismiss in our life.
 
What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?  
Those fun moments with people around me. Things familiar in my life, as it is interesting to see how they look in my artwork.
 
What inspired you to become an artist?
My love for colors and my passion in drawing which was developed when I was in my childhood. Conversations with my professors and friends in my college.
 
What wisdom could you give us, about being an artist? Do you have any tips you could give?
Spend more time doing and making [art], don’t spend too much time hesitating. You can think [about your work] while you are making [it].

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
Email: kanako84217@hotmail.com

Finally, do you have any of your art work for sale (sketchbook, prints, or anything) for people that like your work can know where and when to buy it?
I have some printed fabric and paintings that I can sell. Please write to me more for details. My portfolio is at:
http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_work.asp?from_url=true&individual_id=226237&sort_by=1&

Born in 1957, Minako Saitoh Botsford is an illustrator from Tokyo, Japan who creates digital paintings of fashion, pin-up girls, beauty and fantasy using Photoshop.

Minako has worked for major ad agencies and publishers across Japan and abroad. Offering more than just visual image, she offers energy which communicates with viewers at a deep level, supported by women of all ages. Minako creates fashion fantasies with a fun sense of humor. Her work is available for commercial advertising agency work for fashion, urban culture, women’s themes, magazine and book publishing, cosmetic and beauty companies, retail and corporate in house freelance work.

Minako is a member of the Tokyo Illustrator’s Society. Minako’s clients include SONY, Elle Magazine, Christian Dior, Yojhi Yamamoto, La Foret Harajuku, among others. Minako is represented by Art Limited.

ALFUNSETY, standing for “All I Want is Fun, Sexy and Sweety”, is the brand name started by female Taiwanese illustrator - PiA.

More of ALFUNSETY’s beautiful fashion illustrations can be seen here.