Arts & Culture: Meet Kyoko Bartley - Sharing Her Talented World and Creativity

Kyoko Bartley is an international artist with an impressive portfolio -lovely sketches, detailed ink, and other types of artwork that have been featured across the world's stage.  

Originally from Japan, this mom, artist, and constant creator have built not only fans of her work but a community of people that enjoy and connect across New Jersey.  

Some of her work has been featured in Nickelodeon, Comic Vine, countless libraries, global art galleries, multiple Comic Cons, and much more. She is now a New Jersey resident enjoying time and Raritan Neighbors was able to ask her a few questions before her next project. 

View more of her work here: About Kyoko Bartley - Oekaki Princeton Official Website of Kyoko Bartley (oekaki-princeton.com)

Raritan Neighbors: Why Do You Make This Type of Art? Why are you drawn to this subject?

Kyoko Bartley: I started drawing animal portraits about 25 years ago. I was in Japan then and received an award in a contest. That's the start of my animal portrait artwork. Now I am open to commission and donating 20% of the profit to animal welfare organizations.

Currently, I am working on Endangered Species Drawing Series. It will be on display at Franklin Township Library during March and early May 2022.

I am also a comic/character design artist. I am deeply influenced by American pop culture and movies. Especially hand-drawn Disney animations and comic books.

Raritan Neighbors: What Does Your Artwork Represent?

Does your art represent something about you?

Kyoko Bartley: I make art wishing my clients feel happy or relieved when they look at it. And it might represent my inner maturity.

When I look at my past work, I usually get a mixture of emotions of satisfaction and "I can do better next time." It's like a mirror of my skill.

Raritan Neighbors: What Inspires You? What connection do you have to your art?

Kyoko Bartley: Since I started drawing and painting when I was very little, I cannot imagine myself without creating art. Some people run every day, read every day, drink coffee, like that, I draw every day. I have so much to draw.

Raritan Neighbors: How Do You Make It?

Kyoko Bartley: I make art with acrylic, pencil, watercolor, or pen. Sometimes mixed. As for animal portraits, I use reference photos from my clients. Detailed sketches or paintings usually take several hours.

Raritan Neighbors: What Does Your Art Mean to You?

Kyoko Bartley: Difficult question! My art has some messages and an introduction of my culture. It's my way to express my point of view. I hope people are inspired about animal welfare when they see my animal-related work. And get to know some Japanese culture with my Asian motif pieces.

Raritan Neighbors: What is the hardest part of creating?

Kyoko Bartley: A lot of times, time is the difficult part. Since making artwork needs concentration and enough amount of time, finding time to start and finish the work is a problem, especially after the pandemic.

Now kids can go to school but when everything was closed, I really couldn't work on anything because being a mom of a remote schooler, it was very hard.

Einstein. Pen and Chinese ink art. Quick sketch.

Raritan Neighbors: What book are you reading now or your favorite book you can recommend?

Kyoko Bartley: Since I am not a native English speaker sometimes hard for me to read a book in English but I re-reading American history and culture books to understand this country more. I majored in American and European Culture and history. Very interesting, respectfully.

Raritan Neighbors: What music are you listening to these days?

Kyoko Bartley: I like Jazz like John Coltrane and techno like Daft Punk.

Raritan Neighbors: What do you enjoy about living in Somerset County and New Jersey?

Kyoko Bartley: I enjoy foods from around the world. There are a lot of good restaurants. Diversity around here is a treasure of Somerset. I love talking with local people.

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