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────────ABOUT ARTIST TV INTERVIEW────────
"Morimaru"
Hello everyone! Welcome to ABOUT ARTIST TV!
ABOUT ARTIST TV is an art channel run by the art marketplace "FROM ARTIST."
As some of you may already know, FROM ARTIST publishes an original magazine called "ABOUT ARTIST" that introduces artists' roots and their thoughts on their work.
This art channel is a rare opportunity to invite artists to speak directly to us about the thoughts they put into their work. Please enjoy until the very end.
All of the works introduced here are one-of-a-kind pieces currently for sale at FROM ARTIST.
If you see any works that interest you, please check them out using the links.
Now, let's welcome today's guest, Morimaru ! Morimaru , nice to meet you!
Artist:
Thank you very much! I was really looking forward to being able to introduce my work again today!
──Self-introduction
FROM ARTIST Staff:
First, please give us a brief introduction about yourself!
Artist details page: https://from-artist.com/collections/morimaru
Artist:
Hello! My name is Morimaru and I am a painter based in Ishikawa Prefecture. I mainly create paintings with cityscape motifs, but I also paint images of a bright future and darker themes that hint at reality. I am conscious of creating works that stimulate the imagination of the viewer.
──Introduction to the work
"Saturday"
Work details page: https://from-artist.com/products/saturday
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Now, let me introduce the first piece right away. The first piece I'd like to introduce is this one, "Saturday"!
So, Morimaru , what thoughts and themes are behind this piece?
Artist:
This piece is based on the Statue of Liberty, and is filled with a bright future and freedom. I also thought that the day after Saturday is a day off (Sunday) for many people. I thought that Saturday represents a high degree of freedom and happiness, and so I chose this title.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The sense of color is outstanding from the very first piece, and just looking at it cheers you up! This bright and hopeful piece with the Statue of Liberty as its motif is truly beautiful. I can also relate to the images of "freedom" and "happiness" that are embodied in "Saturday." I think it's very appealing that it expresses a day on the weekend when the mind is particularly free. Learning the meaning of the title has given me a deeper perspective on the piece. Although the entire piece is dotted with colorful colors, it is harmonious...it truly feels like art that speaks through color!
Artist:
That's right. There's a bit of a "complementary" feel to the colors here, combining colors that are opposites on the color wheel.
For example, the complementary color of yellow is blue-purple, and the complementary color of red is blue-green.
Combining these colors together creates a strong contrast.
I'm not yet completely masterful at using complementary colors, so I incorporate the colors I feel most comfortable using. By doing so, I can express freedom without being too bound by convention.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Your explanation of using complementary colors is very easy to understand. Combining colors that are opposites on the color wheel creates a vivid contrast. However, I found it very creative and appealing that you don't completely follow the rules, but instead value your own sensibilities and express yourself freely. This unconventional freedom gives your work a unique personality.
Are there any points you would like us to pay attention to?
Artist:
The main points to note here are, of course, the cityscape, but also the light blue sky. Light blue is said to be the color that symbolizes freedom, and the light blue background of the old Twitter account also seems to represent freedom. And, of course, there's the dog that represents the Statue of Liberty.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Once you realize the symbolism of freedom embedded in the light blue sky, the way you see the work changes dramatically. The story behind the old Twitter account is interesting, and the idea of the dog representing the Statue of Liberty is playful and lovely.
It's not just colorful, it's also very carefully drawn, and the artist's love and humor shines through the entire painting...but is there any significance to the piece of meat being held up?
Artist:
I drew this to bring out some humor. I think that this kind of presentation can also be enjoyed by the viewer. I personally try not to make it too stiff, and since the main theme this time is "freedom," it also conveys the meaning that "it's okay to hold up a piece of meat on the bone."
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Even though there are many elements, the eye flows naturally from top to bottom, left to right, and I am in awe of the composition that makes it endlessly entertaining.
The houses are all different colours and very unique, did you use any real towns as inspiration for this?
Artist:
That's right. Sometimes I search for European cityscapes and use them as reference. But if I completely copy them, it just becomes a regular landscape painting. I always use retro cityscapes as reference and try to create works that make use of my own arrangements.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The more you look at it, the more new things you discover. How long did it take to create?
Artist:
I think this piece took about two weeks to complete. I don't have the concentration to draw for long periods of time, haha. After all, you can't create a good piece unless you have fun drawing. If I'm tired, it immediately affects my work. For that reason, I think I only worked on it for about 1-2 hours a day.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
So, what kind of room would you recommend displaying this piece in?
Artist:
The works themselves are colorful, so I think they will stand out more if you display them on a white wall or in a calm space.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Colorful artworks stand out even more when displayed against simple white walls or in a calm space. The colors of the artworks stand out, bringing color and vitality to the space.
"Friends"
Work details page: https://from-artist.com/products/friends
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Now let's introduce the second work! This is "Friends"!
So, what thoughts and themes are contained in this work?
Artist:
This represents the warmth and connection between animals that come together, and also evokes the image of a peaceful space without conflict.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The second piece is also truly amazing! It's packed with charm that you'll never get tired of looking at, and it's not just "beautiful," it's art that has a warmth that speaks to you!
Artist:
That's right. I used colorful colors here to convey the image of kindness and a relationship where the two people can stimulate each other. I'm quite conscious of contrast in my work, and I think this piece particularly makes the most of that feature.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The animals' gentle interactions are so delicate that they seem to visualize kindness itself. You can sense a connection, like that of a parent and child, or a lover, and it warms the heart just by looking at them. Where do you get your inspiration for the motifs and compositions?
Artist:
I have had a long history of raising many animals in my private life, and I wanted to express the warmth and connection between animals in my paintings. I think there are ways of expressing the warmth and connection between people, but I think that there are few ways of expressing the connection between animals.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Your rich experiences with animals bring a warmth and deep connection to your work. While there are certainly many depictions of relationships between people, I think your approach of depicting the bonds between animals is very fresh and valuable. I feel that this unique perspective gives your work a special charm.
Are there any points you would like us to pay attention to?
Artist:
The thing I want you to pay attention to here is the contrast between the colorful animals and the golden background.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
It's true that the simple, single-color backgrounds perfectly complement the detailed and colorful main characters, drawing the viewer's eye in, but is there any significance to the choice of colors and patterns?
Artist:
The patterns range from floral to spiked, each incorporating emotions such as serenity and joy. The gold background represents the beauty of connection.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
So what kind of room would you recommend displaying this piece in?
Artist:
I think it would be best to display it in a dark, modern room, as it would highlight the gentleness and emotion of the motif and make a nice accent.
"Roman"
Work details page: https://from-artist.com/products/roman
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Now let's introduce the third work! This is "Roman"!
So, what thoughts and themes are contained in this work?
Artist:
This work evokes the energy and ambition of buildings that continue to be built.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The energy of colors seems to be in full bloom all over the city, and just looking at it makes my heart flutter! The composition is urban, with tall buildings lining the streets, yet the large flowers bloom boldly... This mismatch is beautifully harmonious, demonstrating the artist's rich perspective and expressiveness!
Artist:
That's right. This image evokes an energetic side and the gorgeousness of flowers, so I hope it will lift your spirits when you look at it.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The piece is compact in size, measuring 10cm x 10cm, but it has a sense of scale that broadens your field of vision, and I really felt the power of art. This piece embodies the idea that "even something small can tell a big story"! What do "cities" and "nature" mean to you, Morimaru?
Artist:
The "city" part shows various developments and vitality, but also retains a dark side, or perhaps a social reality. "Nature" conveys a sense of security and vitality.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Are there any points you would like us to pay attention to?
Artist:
The point I want you to pay attention to here is the camouflage on the building. Apart from the vitality and life I mentioned earlier, it depicts a social and complex element.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
If you look at it up close, you'll see a whole different charm!
Are there any hidden motifs or meaningful shapes in this painting that only you know?
Artist:
The intention was to convey not only a sense of energy on the building, but also social reality, and by incorporating camouflage patterns, it also conveys the message that "there are many bad things and things that don't go well in life, but those things don't last forever."
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The social message embedded in the building is very profound. The use of camouflage expresses the difficulties and conflicts of life, while also conveying the hope that these things are not eternal. By incorporating such complex feelings into the work, it is a wonderful expression that makes the viewer think deeply.
You can see the attention to detail in the work, and the more you look, the more new things you will discover. Do you make any rough drafts?
Artist:
I sketch the outline in pencil, but only to get a rough idea of the shape. I sketch out the parts of the building and the parts of the background separately, and then add to them as I color them. I'm not good at sketching everything at once, so I think, "Oh, I'll do this here," as I go along, because that way it's easier to imagine the background of the work. If I sketch everything from the beginning, when I think, "Oh, I wanted this part to be like this," I end up having to erase it again.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
What part was the most fun to draw?
Artist:
I guess it was when I was drawing camouflage patterns. I don't draw camouflage patterns very often. In that sense, it was a first attempt for me. Even while I was drawing, I was wondering, for better or worse, "Huh, what will this turn out like?"
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The swaying of the lines, the texture of the ink, the overlapping of the colors - all of it feels like a miracle born from human hands, and it makes you want to look at it forever. If this work were to be turned into sound, what kind of sound or melody do you think it would have?
Artist:
Hmm, I don't know (lol), but it won't be anything like intense rock, it will have a pop sound that suddenly gives off a melancholic vibe... I think it will have an up-tempo feel to it.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
So what kind of room would you recommend displaying this piece in?
Artist:
The piece contains a variety of views on life and is very colorful, so I recommend displaying it in a monochrome room. I think it would be a great piece to complement the lack of color in a monochrome room.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
These colorful pieces are filled with various views on life, so when displayed in a monochrome room, the colors of the pieces stand out even more.
"No.001"
Product details page: https://from-artist.com/products/no-001
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Now let's introduce the fourth piece! This is piece "No.001"!
So, what thoughts and themes are contained in this work?
Artist:
This work evokes the image of Western tranquility and calmness, and I hope to bring calm to the hearts of those who see it as well.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
This piece also features meticulous attention to detail, with even the window frames and individual bricks carefully depicted, conveying Morimaru's attention to detail.
Artist:
That's right. I designed this to be really simple and easy to pick up and familiar to people of all ages. Instead of the slightly more complicated theme mentioned earlier, I created it with a focus on peace and tranquility.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Are there any points you would like us to pay attention to?
Artist:
The point I want you to pay attention to here is that the colors have been deliberately limited.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
If you look at it up close, you'll see a whole different charm!
The bold white space is striking, and it's as if the white space itself is speaking to you, creating a sense of strength within the stillness. Is there any special meaning behind this red line?
Artist:
This time, I wanted to create a calm atmosphere, so I left the sky unpainted, leaving the softness of the wood grain. I felt that if I painted everything, it would deviate from the intended effect. Instead, I used bold red and blue to add some spice.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The combination of the natural texture of the wooden boards and the pop illustrations is unique, creating a sense of warmth and playfulness! Why did you choose wood as your canvas?
Artist:
I don't really like rigid paintings, so I thought wood would give a warmer feel. Canvas would be fine, but it felt a bit lonely, and I wanted something a little more playful, so I chose wood.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The reason you chose wood is wonderful. Your attention to detail in the material really enhances the appeal of your work.
Additionally, the clouds floating in the sky and the birds flying breathe life into the city, creating a sense of movement despite the picture being a still image. What did you spend the most time on when creating this piece?
Artist:
I also drew birds flying in the sky as symbols of peace and serenity. Well, it took a surprisingly long time to paint the windows. I couldn't paint the finer details until the color of the building dried, and the reflections in the windows also required detailed work, so it took a long time.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
I feel that taking the time to express the fine details of the windows and reflections gives the building a sense of realism and depth. Such careful work enhances the finished product.
So what kind of room would you recommend displaying this piece in?
Artist:
I think it would also be good to display this piece in a room with monochrome or dark walls, as I think that would really bring out the colors of the piece.
"No.003"
Product details page: https://from-artist.com/products/no-003
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Now let's introduce the fifth piece! This is piece No.003!
So, what thoughts and themes are contained in this work?
Artist:
This also contains the same calmness as before, but I tried to give it a slightly tropical feel.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The colors are soft and charming! The combination of pink, yellow, and turquoise is so gentle, it's like looking at a city in a dream. It has a different atmosphere from your previous work, and the range of your color sense is amazing!
Artist:
That's right. Here, the ocean is given a gradation effect to create the energy of summer. It is drawn with the image of the sound of gentle waves flowing.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Are there any points you would like us to pay attention to?
Artist:
The thing to pay attention to here is the tropical color scheme, which is in line with the summer theme.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The color placement and rhythm of the building heights are very pleasing, and the overall composition is well-balanced, but in what order did you proceed with the painting? Also, are there any rules or preferences you have for the order in which you colored the pieces?
Artist:
In terms of the order in which I start painting, I often start with the buildings. Buildings make up the majority of my work, and my style is to create the foundation and then decide on the finer details. As for coloring, I don't have a particular order in mind, so I do it freely. As I'm painting, I think, "I think this color would be good next."
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Your creative style of starting with the building as the base makes a lot of sense. By creating the shape from the building, which takes up the majority of the work, you can ensure a good overall balance. By proceeding freely with the coloring, you can see that you value inspiration at the time, which is a flexible and appealing approach.
Also, nostalgia and newness coexist, and while it feels somehow familiar, it also feels like a world never seen before. I think that's a very difficult expression to express. Are there any other works that you would like to compare with this one?
Artist:
It's difficult. It may seem simple, but I create it while thinking about the expression. But like "No.001" I mentioned earlier, I'd like to compile nostalgic and profound works in the "No." series from now on.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
So what kind of room would you recommend displaying this piece in?
Artist:
It would look great in a chic room, and I think it would also look great in a white room as it creates a cool atmosphere.
FROM ARTIST Staff:
The artwork will look different in both chic and white rooms, and it's fun to see how it changes depending on where you display it.
──Finally
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Today we introduced many of Morimaru 's wonderful works!
Have you found any works you like?
Finally, I would like to ask Morimaru about his future activities and give a message to everyone watching today.
Artist:
I was very happy to be able to speak to you all directly today, and it was a valuable experience. If there are any works that interest you, I would be grateful if you would check them out as soon as possible.
All of the pieces introduced today are one-of-a-kind, so we hope you will take a look!
FROM ARTIST Staff:
Morimaru, who we introduced this time, has other fascinating works featured on FROM ARTIST. Be sure to check them out as well!
Well, see you next time! Thank you!