My name is Lily-K. I am a visual artist from Kyoto, Japan. I do portraits of people. I especially like to portray musicians. For this 3600YAKO project, I portrayed a YOKAI called Nekomata, a cat-woman. When I did some research on Nekomata yokai, I found this old painting in which a cat-like woman in beautiful kimono is playing the shamisen, Japanese guitar. Inspired by the image, I created 10 of my CAT-Women playing the electric shamisen for the Yokai Parade. I enjoyed the creating process.
For this 3600YAKO project, I did a YOKAI called Nekomata, a cat-woman. We got to choose a yokai to work on. When I did some research on the Yokais, I saw this old painting. In that painting, a cat-like woman in a beautiful kimono was playing shamisen. Shamisen is a Japanese musical instrument, which works just like western guitars with strings that go up on the long neck. So, anyways, I went like "Oh, Nekomata is a Musician!" That is how I chose Nekomata among all those fascinating 12 YOKAIs. I created 10 varieties of CAT-Women playing the electric shamisen for the Yokai Parade. They are all different kinds of cats in different fur and patterns, and they are dressed in different kimonos and obis. I enjoyed the creating process. And I hope you like my nekomata as well as all others created by other fine 35 creators in this project.
I had once given up art a long time ago for some family reasons. I was a painter who kept painting without eating or sleeping until I passed out. But after I married and had kids, I could not find time, space, and money to dedicate to art. I discovered this thing called "NFT" last year, however, and I thought I might be able to make a fresh start as a digital artist. So, I am a one-year-old digital artist.
I express the passion that pours out of the subject. But, I don't think I intend to convey any messages. I just express what I want to express. That's pretty personal. And if people feel they receive a message from my art, I believe that is something the viewers feel with their heart blending with their feelings, interests, and experiences. They might feel something positive. They might feel something negative. That is not something I can control.
Being an artist is one essential characteristic of me. Art, or should I say creating, is what raises my spirit the most. And that gives me a feeling of fulfillment. That’s how I feel in my daily life. But now, I am back in the world of art. I want to come back to the basic question: What is art? Why does such a thing as art exist in the human community? What is GOOD art? And, Why is it GOOD?I keep working to seek the answers to those questions.
I always wanted to learn Japanese art, the Nihonga technique. The sensitivity and beauty fascinate me. Being a Japanese person, I felt it would mean a lot to participate in a project related to traditional Japanese art. When I first discovered the 36FUJI project, it was already done. Twice. I had missed two opportunities. So I thought if they have another project, I'd be sure to apply to participate as an artist. And I turned on their Twitter notification. And here I am!!
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