MacTribe: You studied at Pratt, right? How was that?

AK: I liked the environment. Just being in a new city on your own was a good experience.

MacTribe: What was your concentration, fine arts or illustration?

AK: My concentration was fine arts painting, but since I was there for only 2 years I never had the chance to really dive into my work. So all the painting I did there were of nude models, oil on large canvas. I once brought my painted girls on wood (similar to what I do now) and both professors who I very much admire told me to stop, and never to work like that again.

MacTribe: And that’s why you left before graduating?

AK: That’s not the reason I left early. I would have agreed with them, if I wanted to pursue ‘fine art’ in New York art standards: very conceptual, and to me, inaccessible and too high class. I think the west coast is much more accepting of young artists.

MacTribe: Did you like to draw a lot as a kid? What kind of stuff did you draw?

AK: I learned from Japanese manga comics actually. That’s where it began. I wanted to be a manga artist. Girls with big dreamy, twinkling eyes, and cheesy girly drama... I still think you can see the influence in my current things, though. Like in the attention to line flow and eyes and expression.

MacTribe: Definitely. Come to think of it, you recently visited Japan. How was the trip?

AK: Awesome. Amaaaaaazing food! I got way chubby, being there for a month.

MacTribe: Jealous... What else was great?

AK: I love all the products.

MacTribe: Did you spend a ton of money?

AK: You can’t help but spend money there, but it’s so worth it since the people put so much time and effort into what they do and make. Everything is well thought out, well designed and organized, and I think that comes from the people being so devoted to what they do. I like that about their culture.

MacTribe: You recently did a series of iPod skins for the GelaSkins guys. How did you get hooked up with that?

AK: Gelaskins contacted me. I thought it was a cool idea, since I don’t have many products to offer. A lot of people seem to dig them.

MacTribe: A friend of mine actually ordered them as soon as I sent him the link. Do you think you’d do something like that again in the future?

AK: I’m down to make more affordable products, like postcard sets. Calendars? Toy figures? Wood chairs? Who knows!

MacTribe: I saw a CD at Amoeba last weekend and I am pretty sure that you did the album art for it. What's that about?

AK: Yes, it’s for Alice Smith’s debut album. They asked me to paint a portrait of her, which was a bit of challenge, since I rarely paint ‘real’ girls.

MacTribe: But that’s not the first time you’ve done that kind of thing.

AK: I’ve done a couple of commissioned illustrations in the past.

MacTribe: Do you tend to work in spurts to prepare for shows or are you constantly creating stuff that comes to mind? Is it really stressful?

AK: When I first started, the deadlines were stressful, and usually it was a very last minute deal. Plus, I had a hard time parting with the pieces. But now, I've finally learned to consistently work, and set goals weekly. Still, though, I do tend to fall behind. Commitment is tough.

MacTribe: Is there anyone you'd love to do a show with?

AK: I would love to show in Japan some day, but most are far more talented than me. I’d be too intimidated.

MacTribe: Are there any contemporary artists you really admire?

AK: I admire many. James Jean, Sam Weber, Esao Andrews, Jonathan Weiner. Soma Japanese artists, too, like Aya Kato, Hideaki Kawashima, Fuko Ueda, and Katsuya Terada.

MacTribe: When are you going to do a show in San Francisco again?

AK: I’d don’t have shows scheduled in SF at the moment, but I’d love to make a visit again. I have shows in Philly and Rome and NY in the upcoming few years, so all my travels are geared towards there.

MacTribe: Are you getting a good response from selling your prints?

AK: Yeah, the prints are doing well. My good friend and manager, Leah and Matt, are making them and taking care of that. I plan to keep releasing new ones, so I have something to offer, besides my original paintings.

MacTribe: When you finish a piece do you look at it and say "Damn, that's beautiful?" Or are you insanely critical and look for fifty things that you could have done differently?

AK: [laughs] I can’t imagine myself ever saying, "Damn that's beautiful." I mean, during painting, I will have a few moments when the piece starts to come together, and there’s this feeling of satisfaction and all. But in the end I always feel that I can do better. I have to stop somewhere though, so when I decided it’s ok to finish, it’s done! I rarely go back.

MacTribe: You underestimate your work. People go crazy over your stuff. Does it freak you out when your paintings fly off the walls at shows?

AK: Yes!! I still feel a bit overwhelmed and freaked out. I have never expected this. But mostly I just feel so damn lucky and thankful to have the support and to be able to do what I do and make a living.