ONE OF BUSIEST DAYS EVER TODAY...

I started activate really early morning today, well it is habit I wake up around 6 am everyday,

but I went to bed around 2 am last night, so I just slept 4 hours,

and made my coffee, and then I started working on customizing an Ugly doll,

and after that it happened.

right after I started feeling awake,

I needed to do was making a serious pitch pack,

wow, I have been just working as a graphic designer, for more than 2years, and so my head and eyes were like seriously (@__@) kind of look like this, you know.

and then I tried working on, it was exciting time yet I was not so fast to get in the world, a lot of thinking, more like too much thinking, and then I was not able to visualize anything cool,, and so I asked Sena, and she woke me up! (she is talented, yeah you know, her idea was really fresh and cool and so I got jealous serious, am I bad?) 

and I started visualizing,,, took so long time...to come up with the idea, but while I started enjoying it, I needed to stop, in order to fix weird look from my videos,  I needed to look for old files and tried to fix, but somehow I was not able to do so, it was around 4pm.

and then I finished up making first base for the Ugly doll, and then put the first graze on a painting which I am working on so long time yet not finish.

 Custom Ugly doll for GR Comi-con special event

now it is dry and I finished blog, so I will paint.

oh while I was doing that, I finished new tshirt design, which will be exclusive at Giant Robot, 

UCHU-SEIFUKU on progress

sena got a part time job for first time ever at japanese toy store, she will ride bicycle so I want make the nekomitaina space suit helmet as real bike helmet.

Mari Inukai tshirt 2012 GR exclusive

here is a sketch study for new painting.

I have been updating my website and blogs,,, besides working on paintings for a show at GR2 in October, stay tuned (^_^)

What I have been doing...

I was working in the office almost one year, i could see this view,

with inspiring sweet people,

 since Sena left to UCSD, I started living by myself, which I have never done before, these new friends had become super big help for me everyday, besides my close friends.  

I felt I was in school... haha

we even put costumes for some fridays.(it was the prepp nerds friday) 

and of course they let me draw (^_^) hehe

(I made them still for me some lunch times.)

Thank you my friends,

seen you soon 

and happy birthday Tam!  Be good!

Sekaiseifukudan: More than just Toys, Art from My Heart

Finally, my Sekaiseifukudan figurine series will be released today.
Except for the people in production and photographers, nobody has seen them in person. I am really glad and happy that some people already ordered and got them without seeing or holding them in person.

I was thinking long time about creating figurines of my characters with transparent form, the idea is something that I have been always fascinated to capture or create in my art work. I have been seeing some transparent figurines out there from long time ago, so I know it is possible to make, but I wanted to put a floating heart in every each one.

Having a floating object inside of a figurine — technically it was a big challenge nobody had done before — at least I believe for sure that it was first time to try for the artists at Heroine International Limited where my Sekaiseifukudan were produced. And they really tried, so much talent, so many methods, and so much time. Sekaiseifukudan is made by hard plastic and silicon filled, so the heart can float in the body, which nobody could achieve before or wanted to because of the expense. But producer Mike Watson at Inner Sanctum believed in me and all my ideas, so he agreed to make them how I wanted. And of course, as an artist I was really picky.

Because of their unique designs, not only materials, but also coloring materials, and painting on each of them, it was a really big manufacturing challenge. Being really picky about color and texture and so many things, it took a long time and a big effort to make them look PERFECT!

And here they are, every each one is so carefully made and packed in a beautiful custom designed black box, ready to be held in someone's hands.

I am really grateful to Mike Watson and Rachel Stone at Inner Sanctum and all the people who are still working at Heroine International Limited for making one of my biggest dreams come true! Jack Muramatsu, your photographs and posts have been really helping me out. Thank you so much Vinyl Pulse! Eric Nakamura, thank you so much for your support. I am really happy to be able to have release event at Giant Robot!

Thank you to all, and all your support!

Sincerely,

Mari Inukai

Sekaiseifukudan Presale open now!

"it is miracle to be able to alive and to be given a life."

that is what a doctor said, after he was rescued from the hospital in Sendai,
when he had his first son in a hospital in another city
where his wife was at from right before earthquake hit.
he was directly hit by the tsunami, and still tried to help patients but lost 7 lives.
he felt really powerless, and he said, he was not able to feel happiness,
since he knows how many lives were lost.
his words are the truth.
it is miracle we are alive.

'we will be alright, just look forward, we can make it",
grand mother who was at one of evacuated facility, just ate a small fish cake.
it was her dinner, and might be her last since she doesn't know when she will be able to eat.
there is no more food.
what she ate on the last day, one strawberry, one banana, and one small fish cake.

a young father was finally able to talk to his daughter on the phone,
and said,
"oh~ finally i was able to hear your voice, i wish i could hold you right now but i cannot,
hang in there, just look forward, we will be alright..."

i believe that any contribution, big or small, will help many lives and bring some hope to those affected by this horrific disaster.

"i want to do something, i need to do something, "
and so these events are happening with all people who feel care and love.

this friday
Q Pop Help Japan Fundraiser
at Qpop shop in Los Angeles



one of my donated piece was already found home,
i appreciate your support 小山豆几君
two of my pieces are available in really reasonable prices.
here they are.

USAGI-DOSHI
12''x9''
graphite pencil and water color on paper
$150


DECADENT II"
OIL ON CANVAS
20''X16''
auction starting bit $500


and this Saturday
Giant Robot Presents: Water Works - Fundraiser for the Devastation in Japan
at Giant Robot and GR2



"Mizu Tako"
12''x9''
graphite pencil and watercolor on paper
$300



and also i will have two of signed painting books with original drawings,
$25

and one of my figurines
"NEKOMITAINA"
$100-SOLD. thank you Amanda, arigato.

i will sign on if you want. (^_^)



and here is the one trustworthy donation organization.
do you remember "totoro forest project"?
they are doing again!!
and i will donate my art work too.


Artists Help Japan

Lets keep believing miracle and help Japan.

SEKAISEIFUKUDAN!

I got a call from one of my collectors who got two of my paintings, and asked me if I wanted to make toys in last Spring,
and so of course I said YES!
I explained them about my dream and plan of my characters in paintings and projects I have been working on pretty long time since i was in school, and they really LOVE it.
and so here we are!!! Thank you so much Mike and Rachel!! and all artists at Heroine International Limited!
Without your love,( i would love to say it is love) it wouldn't happpen

here are some of my sketches I sent to Heroine, they were so talented to figure out how I really wanted in 3D shapes!!!!!!
I was really really picky and selfish about how I want, without knowing the architects in materials and so on,
but I could have great communication and relationship with them while in production, I felt so lucky to work with them.

When you have them, you look at them and make big smile at them. That is all I want and SEKAISEIFUKUDAN want.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sena and I went to Boston to stay with my sister( biggest one in photo) and tomochan(center) from 12/25-1/1...



we planed to go to NY, but gave up to do so because of blizzard..(T-T)
missed Nara Yoshitomo show...



But it is impossible to experience blizzard in where we live, so we went outside and took some pictures...
OMG... sooooo cold that we could be outside just 2 min.




and i tried to make a snow bunny...it was not so easy...( the year of rabbit this year you know...)



so anyway, we just decided to EAT! (since i did not have to spend money in NY...)

First, We ate Cubano sandwich which my sister Yumiko highly recommended,
and it was BEST SANDWICH EVER I ATE IN WHOLE MY LIFE!!!
at Dave's Fresh Pasta
can't you tell? from my facial expression?



and had hot chocolate! super goooooooood!! ah~~~ so decadent!
at L.A. BURDICK



and and ate pretty good italian and super fresh chocolate souffle for first time ever
at La CAMPANIA
there is no photos,, ha ha.. we just ate!! check their site..desserts were just incredible!
need to order desserts when you order food... since they bake desserts, while you are eating food...
ah~~~~~ need to go back for chocolate souffle..

and and and ate pretty fresh seafoods! at B&G OYSTERS

Oysters!!!



Lobster Bisque!!!
so so good,,, ah~~~
but no more bread, when we were having it.. make sure you get bread to clean up the dish...



well... we were not just eating, visited some places,
like the Gardner museum
it was beautiful HOUSE! wow..
and saw one of my favorite paintings by Sargent!!!
i am ready to paint! got sooooo inspired!
we were not able to take pictures,,, we wish we could though,
everything was just beautiful...

here is one sketch i did while we were waiting for my sister to pick us up



and checked some schools Sena wants to get in...







there will be a big change in this year..
all i want is her smile...
oh and to lose some weight!
he he he

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wow already Thanksgivingday!..time passes so fast....
how we will spend time today is gathering with friends, eating and drinking!
I feel full if I even think about it...
I have been working on some projects, and some are finished and some are not finished, just wanted to update with
what is going on.. with me recently..

here is an OMI i customized and the show opening will be on Saturday, December 11th. at Munky King come to check out if you are around..(^_^)



and I have been painting for my friends commission!
I am having fun with..I will finish soon!

Nihonjins!! Edwin, Yoskay and...me

Usually, when they have show in Los Angeles,,,
I always try to come for the opening night to congratulate them and having party with them!
Both are having solo show at LeBasseProjects every each year,
and always they inspire me and make me feel so happy to be good friends.
And this time,
they are having two persons show together at RoqLaRue in Seattle, Washington!

EDWIN USHIRO AND YOSKAY YAMAMOTO
Opening Night Friday, September 10
Show runs to October 10, 2010

well,,,I really wish I can go, but I will have one big group show one day after their opening, so I cannot come,
I need to be patient...
please come and congratulate them in my place.
and if you are around in Los Angeles area,
please come to see me at Gallery Nucleus
I will do live drawing at opening party!!

SWEET STREETS II
September 11, 2010 - October 4, 2010
Opening Reception / Sep 11, 7:00PM - 11:00PM

This is my favorite from Edwin's pieces...
"Preceeding Sunday"


And This is my favorite from Yoskay's pieces...
" lost stories and found memories "

8/25/2010

SUPER SWEET PINK
Oil on canvas
2010


here is my new painting for up coming groupshow at
Gallery Nucleus
and opening is on Saturday, September 11th.
i finished a week ago, and will bring to gallery on this sunday,, and hopefully i can get dim sum too..(>_<)

i have been working on making my characters' turn around in illustrator, taking realy long time than i thought, and got tired,
so decided to blog...
it is my sister's birthday today,
my friend ayako's play will open today( well but tomorrow...)
Omedetou!

A little bit of SDCC 2010

It was quite different from past Cons, besides feeling kind of famous? (>_<)!!
I had pretty good geeky time!
After finished work today, I was tired from the weekend, ate and felt sleep, and woke up around 12 am and then start painting,
and finished painting for today, and now blogging. I should sleep since need to wake up 7 am and go to work....
oh well...I am not sleepy...

so here is my newest painting I am still working for the show, " Love Conquers All: Art For Equality" at Thinkspace Art Gallery



And here are some photos from Sena's camera, I just picked them out of 100 of 1000 of pictures...(@_@)


the last day, after we had yummiest Italian dinner! Past were sooooo gooooood.


Liam McKean! my favorite gentleman!


Drawing I did for Liam's sketch book...
The cover and index page were customized by his father Dave Mckean!! Oh~~uramayashi
anyway,,,my newest character and me! I think I will make plush toy of them.



I saw my friend Tanaka Ken twice at comicon, and I think he is super fan of David Mac
I did not know...(^__^) I like David too!


Me and ALEX!!! Malcolm McDowell!!!
OMG^&%$#@!(>_<)!!!
I needed to say how much I like the character and the movie...


And here is Sena's new vampire boyfriend
( of course her right one)
and his friend and Sena,,hahaha..I don't even know character's names...who are these..?

I think I can sleep now... good night