Day 4701: Nihonga Images of Hamsters & Shaq's shoes & TBT.

     

"Victim": ink drawing, junk collage, digitized.

  

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2GN2S

Nihonga Images of Hamsters 

by Otama-shimai

The Japanese artist who goes by the name Otama-shimai creates Nihonga-style images almost exclusively of hamsters. Nihonga is a Japanese style of painting coined in the mid-1800s to differentiate it from its Western counterpart. Typically made from organic pigments and depicting animals or landscapes, nihonga can be difficult to place, time-period wise. But every now and then the artist will playfully incorporate a contemporary item from everyday life like high-heels or store bought yarn, removing any ambiguity.

Otama-shimai first became interested in Nihonga paintings in middle school, she told Spoon & Tamago during a recent interview. Being able to mix organic pigments to create her own paints was eye-opening, and made her want to pursue Nihonga more seriously.

Otama-shimai first became interested in Nihonga paintings in middle school, she told Spoon & Tamago during a recent interview. Being able to mix organic pigments to create her own paints was eye-opening, and made her want to pursue Nihonga more seriously.

Early in her career, Otama-shimai worked exclusively by hand. And although the possibilities of incorporating digital elements into Nihonga was alluring, it would go against the teachings of her mentor and so she was reluctant. But one day, stuck in a creative rut, she decided to begin drawing hamsters digitally and her work blossomed.

If you’re interested in her work, you can follow her on Instagram. She also has postcards and art prints for sale. Fun fact: the name Otama-shimai (“Otama Sisters”) comes from a pair of hamsters she used to keep as pets at home: ohagi and shiratama. Her mother would refer to the pair, collectively, as Otama.

 

  

 

A 7+ minute video, Artist, Wayne Thiebaud, here

 

  

 

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