Tickle artists #172: interview with Emporiostation

1) Do you want to tell us something about yourself and your art?

Hi, my name is Emporiostation, I’m a relatively new tickling artist. I mainly do storyboarding and concept art for film and do tickle art in my free time.

2) What techniques do you use to draw? Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?

I draw like a caveman on Photoshop with a mouse. I never got used to drawing tablets and am too stubborn to learn. I am inspired by other tickling artists like DaisyLee and non-tickling artists like Studio Gainax

3) How much was the passion for drawing born in you? And the one for the tickle?

I was drawing since I was a small child, and it just compounded on itself ever since. For tickling, I’d say I got into it as a kink at about 19 and from there it was just the one thing i’m into.

4) What are the tickling scenarios that you prefer to draw?

I prefer to draw really whatever pops up in my head. Mostly involving feathers since it’s my favorite tickle tool.

5) What are the aspects of tickling that you intend to represent with your art? Example: the laughing, the wriggling, the relationship between tickler and ticklee?

I really enjoy the nicer, more friendly aspects of tickling moreso than the heavier tickle torture scenarios. I’ve got nothing against that, it’s just what I prefer to draw.

6) Online there are countless photos and videos of tickling sessions. In your opinion, what do illustrations offer more than images of real life?

I’d say illustrations have a fantastical side to them that videos can’t fully capitalize on. You’re not bound to what you can physically film.

7) In your opinion, what makes tickling so interesting for fans of this phenomenon?

At least for me, tickling is interesting for the feeling of it. I really enjoy that someone can make me laugh just from their touch, it feels very personal for me.

8) What are your works of which you are most proud?

There’s one that I haven’t posted on DA yet, but it’s on my Bluesky. First time drawing 4 lers in one picture. I’m really proud of it.

9) Do you have any particular artistic goals for the future?

I want to get better with each piece I make. I have my own personal goals for my professional art but I want to keep that separate.

10) Do you think AIs will end up enriching or impoverishing the art of tickling representations?

Yes, I think AI does inherently impoverish art of all kinds. I’ve faced it in my personal job, lost out on opportunities to AI because it’s faster, though it yields a worse output. I feel there’s a case that AI harms whatever artistic endeavor, including tickling art.