We can all agree that hamsters are cute in all shapes and forms. Japanese artist Otama-shimai appreciates these adorable fluffy creatures so much that she made them the main subjects of her Nihonga-style artworks.
In Otama-shimai’s art, hamsters are shown in playful scenes that are a joy to look at. They are sharing laughs with birds, nibbling on corn, joining forces to pick wild berries, and much more.
Besides featuring such a cute subject, Otama-shimai’s works are also notable for resembling Nihonga paintings. This style of painting was popularized in Japan during the Meiji era in the late 19th century and is characterized by the use of mineral and other organic pigments on silk or traditional Japanese paper known as washi.
At the beginning of her career as an artist, Otama-shimai created Nihonga paintings following traditional methods. However, after experiencing a creative block at one point, she decided to give them a modern twist. She began making Nihonga paintings digitally and incorporating modern objects into their narratives.
Despite the modern approach, Otama-shimai still manages to capture the essence of Nihonga paintings with fragile-looking backgrounds, simple color tones, and characteristic outlines. To check out more of her works, continue scrolling down.
