“Cross shallow rivers as if they are deep.” -Michio Hoshino
I love listening to stories of adventurers. A Japanese photographer Michio Hoshio is one of my favorite travelers and big inspirations. After reading his books I started craving to create, and paint a bundle of traveling characters each on their own lone journey. Individually they are all so unique and free spirited following their passion. Then I had a strong desire to tune into each one of them deeply, hanging out and listening to stories and feeling their atmosphere. I wanted to add fine details, not just superficial, but capturing their internal monologues as well.
I also started wondering how enormous of an energy it would become if those distinctive fearless main-characters bundled up. My curiosity and fascination led me to start this project. Fur coats and Backpacks is a series of traveling cats. Every day is a new departure, every moment is a new beginning. We all are on our own soul journey.
9″ x 12″ Watercolor paintings and cat poems / 2013 – Ongoing
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Mari Ichimasu 