"Pegasus"

 

Eiffel Tower from a 5 Euro note

 

A splendid Koi. Notice the scales and the eye!

  

 



New artists in Honolulu

Won Park is someone who has spent over 3 decades learning the artform that he practices. It began when his mother began teaching him origami when he was a small boy. "When I was small, we didn't have a lot of money to buy toys, so my mother began teaching me how to fold, and I just kept it up from there..."

What began as a way to keep a child occupied has turned into one of the most impressive skills that many people have seen. Won has created hundreds of pieces of art for his customers and fans, as well as himself.

I spent an afternoon with Won learning about the skill that a mutual friend brought to my attention. I was intrigued to find something that is not common, but is still a beautiful form of art.

Origami, originallly came from China. Many things did, but it eventually made its way through China, to Japan and then Park, who is Korean, learned it.

Park began to fold on a dollar bill in the small coffee shop we decided to patornize. As he folded, he spoke of his art. "Originally origami artists were allowed to make cuts in order to create their art..." Since the artist known as: Akira Yoshizawa, however, this has changed. Yoshizawa is credited with using water to assist in the bending of paper in origami, and elevated this craft into an actual artform. He passed in 2005.

Park continued to work quietly, and we talked intermittenly as I ventured to learn more about him and his art.

"This is very zen for me" referring to the time he spends "in-creation" of a piece. It was obvious that his mind and hands had began a symbiotic venture to create something. Park looked over the dollar bill and discerned lines that he would need to create the item he had in mind.

He continued to tell me about a piece that he was recently commissioned to create for Newsweek Magazine as he folded, pressed, and sprayed the dollar in front of him. I watched with no idea of how he remembered all the creases and pressure points, but was anxious to see the final product.

Park eventually finished the piece, and through our small talk I had revealed my affections for Star Wars. Something that he shared an interest in as well. He then presented me with a "Tie Fighter" made out of the dollar bill that started off thin and flat. I was giddy at the creation and impressed at its intricacies.

Won Park is someone that represents the current generation of artists. He, as well as the other artist featured in this month's issue, are people that help to make our world a more beautiful place. I hope to see more of Park's work, as well as our other artist. If you are ever able to support these artists, please do so. Park can be reached by writing to him at:Won Park . More of his work can also be found at:Won Park Gallery

 

 
Won Park
   
 

 

 

 

This artist will be known only as, "Anime Shelley". She is a young lady who became enthralled with anime several years ago, and tried her hand at creating her own characters and scenes.

Her love for anime combined with the natural artisitic talent she has, allowed her to make some very interesting and surreal pieces. Anime Shelley has sold several pieces to anime collectors, and is also one of the featured artists in some anime forums.

Shelley is a quiet girl, who chooses to express herself more through her art, rather than words. I have the pleasure of knowing her, and asked her to create some original pieces for this article.

Anime' is defined in Japan as any animation art, regardless of the country of origin. In America, most people automatically assume that this style of art is Japanese.

I learned quite a bit from Anime Shelley, and she enlightened me on her art and the style. When asked what she thought about the artform, this was her answer: "I think it's one of those art styles that is down played, hmm..kind of like the professional graffiti artists.  Graffiti art may be too loud or flamboyant for most, but when you see it in its full glory, it's just simply amazing!  Kind of like anime art, it is colorful and comes in so many styles and varieties.  There actually is no way to really explain how vast the varieties!"

 

 

 

 

  

 

Anime Shelley

 

 

 

"They say art is really about something you look at and evokes a feeling.  To me anime art evokes so many feelings, depending on the characters."

 

"The piece with the 3 characters I was thinking of a group pic.  I started off with the female character and felt that it would be nice to balance her soft feminine look with two accompanying samurai figures.  I have always been drawn to swordsmen characters as they traditionally have the burden of being guardians or bodyguards."

 

 

 

 

    
 

Anime Shelley creates her art in a couple of different ways. She uses pencils and inks to make the ones like you see here, but she is also quite skilled at creating art using a computer program that many anime artists utilize.

She is able to coax very chimeric backgrounds and environments out of these two forms, and as you can see, her work has a very radiant quality to it.

I have been a fan of animation for years...while there are some "cartoon" characteristics about this style of art, I see it as very expressive. The eyes, the face, the hair, all draw you into the character and make you want to study the piece.

The details in the background, like Shelley added here, give many of the pieces a very buoyant feel, and continue the surreal character of this style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

you are interested in seeing more of Anime' Shelley's art, you can visit this site:Anime Shelley

Shelley attends anime' conventions, and often sells pieces to fans of the genre. She is also known to participate in forums with anime' fans and lovers.

In the future, we will look forward to following her career. If you would like to inquire about any custom pieces, please contact us at:Hawaii Wine Lover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

"This piece is "Kunoichi" which is the female ninja character.  Many traditional ninja costumes are subdued and simple, however I wanted to add splashes of color in her sleeve and belt.  The ninja is an anime staple character, and though they are imbued with fantastic powers in anime, it's interesting to know that the ninja stemmed from actual historical figures and clans.  There is such a mystique about them and in anime they have beautiful costumes and awesome weapons.  The ninja I drew is holding a traditional Kunai, a throwing weapon.  The female ninja characters are always mysterious, sleek, agile and can hold their own with the male ninja characters."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"My piece on the girl in the white kimono and blue obi belt, I was thinking I'd call it "Lonely."  The girl just has that look of a little nervousness, and vulnerability.  I went with the white and blue motif, and the moon/water background to balance the blue and white of the character."