Jan 23, 2023

Peace for Ukraine

I made the artwork for Ukraine. The Ukrainian girl with the traditional costume and the flower crown is looking at the huge sun. I heard that the national flower for Ukraine was the sunflower, and it represents renewal and hope. The sunflowers were planted in Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, and they helped extract toxin from the soil. There are so many great meanings for floral embroideries, so I combine the sun, the sunflower, and the floral embroideries. The flying bird is the nightinegale, the national bird for Ukraine. There was a story that the nightingale sang to cheer Ukrainians. I've been watching the news about Ukraine everyday, and I just wish peace for Ukraine. It's the year of rabbit, so the big mom bunny is protecting her. The baby bunnies are eating the carrot, sleeping, and just happy to be hugged by the girl. I hope the happy and peaceful day comes soon. "Ukrainian Girl with Bunnies, Sunflower, and Nightingale" Pen, Colored Pencils, and Acrylics on Watercolor Paper.

Jan 4, 2022

The Tiger with Twin Mushrooms

Hope everyone is doing well....

It's the year of the tiger, and I tried to draw the tiger for the first time!

I thought the tiger would eat my characters but not the mushrooms, so I think they are the good combination.  

The tiger is surrounded by the botanical patterns and has two tails. My friend told me that she looks determined and friendly, and it was exactly what I was trying to express through her eyes. The twin mushrooms were first appeared in my illustraion in the year of the bird, and this is 2nd time. They have so much energy and care others.  

The fiest image is the original illustration, and I made the closeup image in Photoshop for the 2nd one.  

I really hope this year will be departure of darkness and the arrival of light. Wishing you all the health and peace!  

"The Tiger with Twin Mushrooms"  

Pen and Watercolor on Watercolor Paper

Jan 2, 2021

Ox with Three Peas and Girl

It's the year of ox in 2021. 

The right side of the painting is the dark forest of 2020, and the left side is the bright forest of 2021.

This is one of the Dream series of a green-hair girl and 3 peas. They are continuing their journey, and this time they are with the strong ox to go through the river. 

This is the first time the girl opened her eyes. I think it's the time that she has to wake up.... 

The rolling balls could be something negative like the COVID19 or something positive like warm feelings of caring others. I hope that we all could move on to the better year together.

There have been so many horrible things happening everywhere in the world; the corona virus, the natural disasters, the wars, and much more.... 

I've been worried about all my family and friends.... I hope the peace, health, and happiness for everyone! Please stay safe, and take care of your health and others!


 "Ox with Three Peas and Girl" 

Pens, Acrylics, and Colored Pencils on Water Color Paper.


Jan 4, 2020

The Pink Tree with the Mice

"The Pink Tree with the Mice"
Acrylics, Colored Pencils, and Oil Pastels on Water Colored Paper.

It's the year of the mouse in 2020, so I painted the mice family doing Hanami in the cold winter by seeing the pink tree. It's not the cherry blossom, but I was trying to paint a tree to make everyone feels warmness. Some of my friends lost their family members and their pets last year, and I wanted to something for them, but there is not much thing that I could do.... I hope this tree makes them feel warmer....
The river is representing the sad feeling and also the deep memories of their family and pets. The pink tree grows up by the water of the river, and it's warm around the tree even in winter. The subtle glitters are coming down from the tree like the rain, melted into the land, and became like the nutrition for the snow flowers around the tree.
I'm wishing you all a peaceful and healthy year!!

Jan 6, 2019

Uribo on the Jomon Pottery



"Uribo on the Jomon Pottery"
Acrylics, Colored Pencils, Ink, and Pens on the Water Color Paper.

It's the year of the boar in 2019, so I draw the baby boar called "Uribo" in Japanese.
I went to the exhibition of Jomon period in summer in Tokyo, and I was really inspired by the potteries!! The Jomon period might have began about 15000 years ago and last until 2300 years ago. The complicated organic designs are powerful yet elegant, and I felt like the potteries are even alive. So I wanted to add the patterns for my new year's card! The Jomon design in my illustration is not the wall, but it's part of the huge Jomon pottery, and it has the water inside. The tiny Uribo is on the edge of the pottery after so much journeys to climb the maze of the huge pottery. Some characters like birds and fish live in the holes, so they help him to reach to the top of it.
Wishing you a peaceful year and your dreams come true!

Jan 7, 2018

Baby Magda and the White Dog

"Baby Magda and the White Dog"
Acrylics and colored pencils
on water color paper.

Many years ago, I made the character, Magda, the odd eyed cat. She was separated from her family by accident when she was little, but she was found by a white dog in the cold snow day. The dog is taking her to his house in the pink garden where is warm even in the winter.

It's the story I just made up after I painted this. I hope someday I can make the children's book with this idea.

Wishing you all a warm winter!

The Gate of Cat & Dog

"The Gate of Cat & Dog"
Acrylics, colored pencils, and pen
on water color paper.

It's the new illustration of 3 Memames the peas and the girl with the green hair.
They are still continuing their journey and arrived to the new country with the gate of cat and dog.
They look like the statues but are alive, so they will kick the unexpected violent visitors.
Hope Memames and the girl are accepted to go through the gate....

It's the year of the dog, but there is no year of the cat, so I just let them sit together. I got the ideas form the Egyptian art.

Wishing you all a peaceful year with your family and friends!

Jan 8, 2017

"Piyos, Mushrooms, and Mermaid Bird"

"Piyos, Mushrooms, and Mermaid Bird"
Acrylics, Colored Pencils, and Pen.

Piyos are the yellow rounded birds, the big one and two little ones. The little ones are super slow to walk, so they are on the heads of the twin mushrooms.

The mermaid bird is the younger version of the previous drawing, "The Mermaid with the Bird". When she grows up, like the drawing, her wings are separated and become a big bird.

I was thinking to draw the peaceful and fun place where the fish can swim in the sky.
I'm wishing the same for us....

Jan 1, 2017

"The Mermaid with the Bird"

It's the year of the rooster, but I drew the big bird instead. Sorry Rooster, I don't hate you but I just wanted to draw a whimsical bird. It's on the shoulder of the mermaid who also has a wing. I was thinking the image of the two opposite worlds, the sky and sea, are united and make the peaceful and bight place. 

Wishing you all the peaceful, healthy, and sharing year of 2017!

"The Mermaid with the Bird"
I drew it by scratching the black board with the warm color layer underneath. 


Jan 3, 2016

Pago in the Elven Garden

It's the year of monkey, but I draw Pago, the pancake gorilla. He always puts the pancake on his head as a hat but eats it when he is hungry, and of course he shares it with his best friend, the rounded bird and also elves this time! They are visiting in the tiny elves' garden.

I went to old towns in south Germany few months ago, and I just wanted to to add something I had seen there. I especially loved the orange-roof houses in Rothenburg. It was a great experience to see the contrast of the dark history and beautiful decorative buildings.

Wishing you all the peaceful, healthy, and sharing year of 2016!



"Pago in the Elven Garden"
Acrylics and colored pencils on the watercolor paper.

Jan 3, 2015

 "The Dream of the Sheep" Acrylic on Canvas. The bean brothers and the girl are continuing the journey. The sheep is flying like the cloud and carrying the berry.I hope you all are surrounded by warmness this sheep year! 

Dec 30, 2013

The Dream of the Flying Horse


It's going to be the year of the horse next year!
It's one of "the dream series" of my illustrations with the green-hair girl and three peas. They are going on the journey in different places.
The first one was with the pink elephant, second one was with the smiling camel, and this is the third one with the flying horse!

Acrylics and inks on the watercolor paper.

Wishing you all have a wonderful new year 2014!

Jul 15, 2013

"dpi" Illustration Magazine in Taiwan




My illustrations and interview was featured on "dpi" illustration magazine in Taiwan for 6 pages! Since I haven't done the freelance jobs for a while, I'm not sure how they could find my illustrations....
Hope someday I can go back to the freelance illustrator....
Thank you so much, people who works in the dip magazine in Taiwan!!

私のイラストとインタビューが「dip」という台湾のイラスト雑誌に6ページ載りました〜。今はフリーのイラストの仕事してないのに、どうやって私のサイトを見つけてくれたのか不思議ですが。。。
またいつの日かフリーの仕事できるようになるといいなぁ。。。





https://www.facebook.com/dpimagzine
dpi Vol. 171
http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/magazine/mag_retail.php?item=R030039432

Jan 4, 2013

"The Owls and the Turquoise Flow" Acrylics on Canvas  © 2013 fumikoala

It's been a while since I updated the last post... 
I wish you all the warm and happy new year 2013!! 
It's the year of snake, so I painted the huge snake flying in the sky on the background as the turquoise flow.

Jan 5, 2012

The Sea Dragon

It's been a year since I updated the last post... Time goes so fast....  I was really lucky that all my family, my friends, and I are not affected seriously by the 3.11 earthquake disaster. It still remains so much problems, and I just wish that things get better....

Talking about myself, I got the full-time job right before the disaster, and I've been working as the surface designer for interior and products at the printing company. I don't have much time to create the new art but finally had a chance to make the new year's card.

I painted the sea horse. It's the year of dragon in Chinese zodiac in 2012, and we call the sea horse as the baby dragon in Japanese.

I just wish you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful year 2012.

"The Sea Dragon"
Acrylic and ink on watercolor paper.
I just wanted to paint something peaceful using the icon of the dragon. The little scrolls are representing the wishes and hopes.
The little bubbles are born from the deep cold sea, fly to the sky, and gather with everyone to create the warm cloud.




Dec 21, 2010

The Snow Bunny Festival

The Snow Bunny Festival
It's going to be the year of rabbit in 2011, so I created the snow bunny illustration. The bunnies are making the huge bunnies with the snow on top of their houses. They use the leaves for the ears, and the berries for the eyes.
Acrylics, ink, and the colored pencil on paper.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season!

年賀状用に雪うさぎ大会の絵を描きました〜。
うささん、おそろいで巨大な雪うさぎを屋根の上につくっております。寒くなって来たので風邪を引かないように気をつけて下さいね〜。暖かく年末年始を過ごせますように〜!




"Laconic" and Holiday Cards

 My postcard illustration for the jewelry store "Laconic" was featured on the Malaysian fashion magazine "NEW ICON for him"! I wish I could read Chinese.... Thanks so much, Laconic!!!
and my ex-co-worker from the design studio in NY sent me the boxes of the holiday cards that I designed before!! I've created hundreds of the greeting cards but never been able to find them in any store.... I'm so happy to see them!!!  One on the left was in Spanish!! Thank you~~!!

”ラコニック”というジュエリーショップのポストカードのイラストの記事をマレーシアのファッション雑誌に載せてもらいました〜!中国語読めないよ〜〜。。。ラコニックの皆様どうもありがとうございました〜!!
NYのデザイン事務所で何百枚ものグリーティングカードのデザインをしてきましたが、お店で売っているのは見たことがなかったのですが、なんと友達が見つけて送ってくれました〜!しかも左のはスペイン語!やった〜!!ありがとうございます〜!!
"Laconic Jewelry Postcard" Illustration

The Boxes of the Holiday Cards!!

Nov 28, 2010

The Wedding Bunny Balloon

The Wedding Bunny Balloon
My best friend just got married!!
Congratulations, Yuyu!!
My bunnies are the symbols of happiness, peace, and love :)
Best wishes for you two!!

Acrylics and ink on canvas.

親友が結婚しました〜!
おめでとう〜〜!!
私のうささんは、幸福と平和と愛のシンボルよ〜(笑)!
ずーっと仲良くお幸せにね〜〜!!

この絵はウェルカムボード、色紙、”結婚しました” ポストカード(来年は卯年なので、年賀状も兼ねてます)用に描きました。


Nov 4, 2010

Pinguins, the Pink Penguins



ピンクペンギンの ぴんぎん絵本の新しい絵が3つほどできました〜。デザインフェスタ(ブース# F-176)で紙芝居をやるので、遊びに来て下さいね。
ぴんぎんとぱごちゃんのあたらしいポストカードもあります。

These are the new illos for my children's book " Pinguins, the Pink Penguin". I'll be showing these at Design Festa (my booth # is F-176). Looking forward to seeing you all!

Oct 21, 2010

Pago's Children's Book


Here is my children's book "PAGO, the Pancake Gorilla". I'm still looking for the publisher! Anyone? Anywhere?
I'll be showing the Pago's book and Pinguin book with some new color illustrations @ DK Shirogane's booth at Design Festa next month. He is the figure making professional and made Pago and Pinguins. I will be selling the new postcards of Pago and Pinguins. If you have a chance, please come!

DESIGN FESTA vol.32
@Tokyo Big Sight West
Nov. 6th (Sat) and 7th (Sun), 2010   11AM - 7PM
Booth F-176 "DK Shirogane"
http://www.designfesta.com/event/index.html
Lawson ticket  L-code: 39489 

ぱごちゃんとぴんぎんのフィギュアを作ってくれたDKしろがねさんのブースにて紙芝居をすることになりました〜。ただいまぴんぎん絵本のカラーの絵を増やしております〜。フィギュアとポストカード販売をします〜。 ぜひお友達をさそってみにきてください〜(^__^)/

ぱごちゃん絵本を出版してくれる出版社を探しています〜。情報お願いします〜!
展示に来てくれた方に好きなキャラを描いたのですが、ぱごちゃんが一番人気でした。ちなみに2番はとりアパートでした。私のキャラって言ってるのに,ドラえもんという答えがあったり、ふくろうなどのサブキャラクター、エジプトの船、など意外な答えもありました。

Thanks soooooo much for coming to the exhibition!! I'm so glad to see you all and spent great time.
I put some photos of you here, but if you have problem showing your face online, please let me know! It should be small enough, no one could recognize that is you, I think ;p If you want the bigger size images, let me know!


”fumikoala展”に来て下さったみなまさ、NALUcafeのスタッフの方々、本当にどうもありがとうございました! たくさんの方に見て頂き、うれしいメッセージもたくさん頂き幸せなひとときでした! 写真載せちゃいましたが〜顔が分からないくらい小さくしたのですが、もしお困りでしたらご連絡ください〜!写真が欲しい方もメールくださいね〜。