―What kind of motif did you draw before the announcement of "Nice's ANDY"?

Matsumoto: In the past, since I was at Osaka University of Arts, I have often used animals as motifs.

―What is the key to your work?

Matsumoto: What hasn't changed since ancient times is the idea of what you felt on the spot and drawing from where you are.

―It's like the "DOG & DUCK" series that was born last year when you set up a base in Nagano?

Matsumoto: That's right. I hope that the production of the work can be expressed without sticking to the stimulus and experience from my life and without stretching it. Also, there is a concept that I want you to feel the happiness in everyday life, so I want to enjoy drawing myself as well.

―What are you aware of when drawing a character? The expression doesn't seem to be just "kawaii".

Matsumoto: For example, ANDY sometimes shifts the black eyes a little or tries to keep an eye out with the viewer. If you meet your eyes, you will be relieved, but what are you thinking? I wanted to show it like that. Are you happy? Are you tired? It's not a bargain with the viewer that I don't dare to express is ANDY, but I hope you can imagine it.

―If you stop a little and imagine the emotions of ANDY.

Matsumoto: I have a dog, but I don't understand all the feelings of the dog, so I interpret it to be convenient and healed (laughs). I want you to feel free in the same way, so I don't have an expression.

―Matsumoto is particular about how to take space other than the motif?

Matsumoto: I'm conscious of leaving a margin. It's so that you can imagine your own story from the margins. I don't push the story. I like things that have room for imagination, and if you have a lot of information in the work, you will get lost. That's why it's simple and easy to understand, but there's a depth that you can imagine.

―How do you handle the margins? Isn't it an idea like a former designer?

Matsumoto: When I was a designer, for example, I was in charge of UIUX design, but I think it's easy to understand and easy to use, so I think I'm getting stuck in myself. But there are some people who like simple things originally.

―So far, I have been working on client work for various companies. And how do you think of the difference between your own work?

Matsumoto: Both of them feel like they are making their own works. The same is true. Art draws based on one's life, and client work draws based on what the client wants to convey. The process doesn't change much, isn't it?

―So, where do you think the work is completed?

Matsumoto: Once you finish drawing, there are some parts that you can be satisfied once, but I have you see the work, feel something, and I think it is finally completed there.