
Hanae Watanabe | Artist, Illustrator
Based in Japan, I create storytelling illustrations that dwell in the “quiet space between dreams and reality.”
My journey began in Istanbul, Turkey. As a child who couldn’t speak the language, drawing became my only way to bridge the silence. Whether sketching birds or gifting portraits to strangers, I discovered a truth that remains the heart of my work today: art has the power to connect hearts when words fail.
Since 2011, I have spent over a decade mastering the art of chalk and visual direction. Through this craft, I have perfected the delicate skill of evoking light from pitch-black canvases. My work—ranging from intimate, book-like scenes to large-scale murals—captures the warmth of a single flame in the darkness, transforming everyday motifs into magical encounters.
For me, the most important color is White. It is the first stroke of light that brings life to the shadows, inviting you to step away from the noise of the world and into a moment of serene wonder. Blended colors with a soft bleed, untold stories within stillness, and emotions that have no name—I strive to capture these lingering atmospheres, offering a “deep breath” within the rush of everyday life.
