Hey there! I'm Stephanie, but you can call me Steph.

I'm a mixed-ethnicity Aussie living in Japan for the past 16 years, with a husband, an energetic young son, and a cat named Nefertari—who's not just our pet but also the inspiration behind my brand, Neferko. The name comes from 'Nefer,' meaning 'beautiful' in Ancient Egyptian, and 'ko,' which means 'child' in Japanese. Together, they signify 'beautiful child,' reflecting the blend of cultures that shape my life and Nefertari herself who is like a second child to me.

 

My journey started far from the world of kawaii art. I was an Archaeologist specializing in Egyptology, Ancient Civilizations and heritage management/preservation. Now, I teach English as a second language and history, running my own language school for kids from the comfort of my home.

 

Art has always been one of my absolute passions, however. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and during high school and university, I honed my skills in portraiture and landscapes, using mostly charcoal and graphite. Life took me away from my creative pursuits for many long years, but recently,

I rediscovered my love for art through digital media and the affordable traditional art supplies here in Japan.

 

Japan, the land of kawaii culture, rekindled my artistic spirit in a way. Though I wasn’t initially a huge fan, characters like Hello Kitty, Rilakuma, and Kutsushitanyanko started bringing a smile to my face. I also loved the traditional Japanese ink art called 'Sumi-e.' 

 

 I began doodling kawaii-style cats like Kutsushitanyanko and, after adopting Nefertari, I couldn't stop drawing her.

 

Now, Neferko is my way of spreading joy and smiles through my creations. I hope my work continues to brighten your day just as much as creating it brightens mine! ✨