Arica's work gives off a mysterious warmth, like a small light gently lighting up deep in your heart. We spoke to her about her work.
From a young age, arica grew up in a household where making things was a natural part of her life. Every day, her family enjoyed using their hands, devising new ideas, and creating new things...and the act of "making" became ingrained as a part of her life. Her first encounter with woodworking was with a jigsaw in art class in elementary school. She was shocked by how much fun it was, and became fascinated with the material wood, which led her to start creating.
Then, when people asked to give away the pieces she had been making as a hobby, she began performing in galleries and events. She then started submitting her work to magazines, which led to more opportunities for her work to be featured in handmade interior design magazines and serials. Then, to fulfill her childhood dream of opening a shop selling her work and antique goods, she built and opened a small shed in her garage. The space had a special atmosphere, as if people were searching for treasures.
Arica loves making things so much that she calls herself a "manufacturing geek." Wanting to prioritize her time for creation, she closed her brick-and-mortar store and now continues to create her works mainly through social media.
The beeswax finish brings out the natural beauty of the material, and the unique paint applied in multiple layers creates a rich expression, giving the piece a moist texture similar to ceramic.
The wood used in his works is mainly mochi wood, which is soft and easy to work with, but also beech, camellia, and cherry.
The appearance of these pieces seems to quietly evoke a respect for the "beauty that has stood the test of time." The quiet shadows that come with age and the depth carved by the passage of time give the pieces a nostalgic feel.
The artist's name, "arica," is a word that refers to the location of treasures or secrets. As a creator, she carefully creates each piece, hoping that the things she creates with her own hands will one day become someone else's "arica."
See a list of arica's works here
