About

Mael Nohara

Born in Tokyo, Mael became a successful professional illustrator in the 1990’s.
With her expansive knowledge of the subculture themes in comic books, animation and music, the popularity of her work has lead to commissions from many prominent clients such as Sony, Shiseido, Atlantic Records, Clarins, Kadokawa Shoten Publishing, Itochu and NEC. Her work has been seen in magazine editorials, PR, advertisement media and digital content packages.

While she enjoyed success as a commercial illustrator, she also expanded her world into original comic books that garnered tremendous popularity among Japanese fans. She moved to the United States in 2001, and has been continuously publishing her works via Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Game conventions in North America.
She is also working as a visual artist representing her own firm that specializes in web design and on-line marketing.

The work of Mael is bold in the style derived from Chinese Calligraphy with dynamic strokes and monochromatic themes, accentuated by extremely colorful arrangements inspired by the work of renowned illustrator, Antonio Lopez (1943-1987). Her art leads the audience deep into her world with a lasting impact – it tells you a story, it pulls you into the depth of the characters that are not just passing by.
It evokes and wakes something in the mind of the audience and leaves footprints. The stories told in the form of Mael’s artwork will lead the viewers to feel something else – another story teller, that’s who she is.

You will find ‘something’ in her work that moves you.

Exhibitions

  • 2005 National Art Museum (Canberra, Australia, Conflux Art Show)
  • 2005 NYCOO Gallery : Solo Exhibition (Manhattan, NY)
  • 2005 ASFA Exhibition (Echo Gallery: Chicago, IL)
  • 2004 Fall Art Show, Zellner Gallery. (Wilton, CT)
  • 2004 Borders: Solo Exhibition (Wilton, CT)
 

Honors

  • 2005, 2004 Chesley Award Nominee
  • 2003 Conflux Best International Artist (Canberra, Australia)
  • 2003 AHA! Call for Art Expo Finalists
  • 2003 World Fantasy Convention 2003 (Best of Show: “Black and White”)
  • 2003 Best Fantasy Artist 2003 (Ad-Astra, Canada)
  • 2003 SONO Art Celebrate
  • 1999 SHIFT MAGAZINE
  • 1998 HKDA DESIGN 98 SHOW grand-pries
  • 1996 Nika Exhibition Japan
  • 1995 Franco-Japon Hall Poster Biennale: Merit
  • 1994 N.Y. Art Directors Club International: Merit Bruno International Graphic Biennale