「當我放慢下來，喝一口茶，思考著接下來該畫些什麼，或是簡單地寫下腦海中浮現出來的一些字句，都能讓我的內心回復平靜。面對內心深處的想法時，我會不加思索，讓它自由流動，此刻的我變得平靜放鬆，這是照料自己的重要時刻。」日本的插畫師Kunomari常描繪大自然、動物、愉快的人們，作品予人寧靜愉悅的感覺，早前受到香港的跨媒體設計工作室viction:ary的邀請，以「寧靜」（Serenity）為靈感，與世界各地的插畫師共同創作出溫暖人心的藝術繪本《LIFE STILLS》。
「《LIFE STILLS》是一本藝術插畫集，捕捉繁忙喧鬧的生活裡簡單的快樂，以及令人舒適放鬆的瞬間。眾多的作品重組了寧靜的氛圍，看似平凡的日常卻能觸動內心深處。個人來說，我很享受創作安靜、能點亮內心的畫，所以這繪本與我的創作概念很相似，很榮幸我的作品能與我非常尊敬的插畫師的作品出版在同一本書中呢。」繪本裡一幕幕的場景，明明是沒去過的地方，卻又如此熟悉，好像在哪裡見過，或是曾待過片刻，不禁讓人懷疑這些場景是否真實存在呢？或是內心曾夢想過的風景？
「當我創作時，經常有描繪『不在這裡的地方』的想法，沒有經過深思熟慮，後來我才了解到是潛意識抱有這種想法來畫的。或許是小時候感到受限吧，因此想表達『你的世界不僅於你現在身處的地方』。同樣地，若人們正身處於困境，我想透過我的創作傳遞『外面必定有一個美好的、更適合你的地方』的訊息。」
居住在神奈川縣橫濱市的Kunomari，家的附近有一個可以俯瞰大海的公園，她常常去那裡散步。「當我眺望大海和觀察公園裡的人們，他們各自有著不同的生活和故事，這畫面溫暖了我的內心。我想用我的餘生把人們零碎的生活和故事捕捉下來，轉化成無數的畫作。」Kunomari的插畫不但捕捉了美好的一瞬間，觀眾還可以從這瞬間想像一個寓意深遠的故事，好像是她畫中經常出現與狗結伴的人，他們之間又是一個怎樣的故事呢？「我曾經養過一隻牧羊犬，我與牠一起度過了許多快樂的時光，牠的離去對我的創作影響深遠。我的作品裡常常出現一隻狗，沒有片言隻字也能表現出牠在旁邊的陪伴是如何的重要。這是我作品中一個別具意義的存在。」
看Kunomari的畫，不難發現有許多狗與人結伴的畫面，在小山丘上玩樂，感受海浪泊岸和清涼海風、走過白茫茫的雪地，一起經歷世上各種風景。「『雪山』是確立我的藝術風格的作品，也該是我第一次在作品中繪畫狗。當所有元素都保持在簡潔澄明的狀態，更能有力地呈現人與狗之間的連繫，同時表現被雪覆蓋的山脈散發出來的寧靜氣氛。」Kunomari的畫就像一份禮物，陽光、海浪、盛開的花朵、繁星夜空，還有各種的陪伴與情感，溫柔地提醒著人們別忘了，世上還有許多美好的風景等待著你去發現呢。
“When I slow down to savor a sip of tea, contemplate what to draw, or jot down the words and phrases that come to mind, a sense of calmness washes over my heart; and in the face of the profound thoughts within me, I let them flow freely without hesitation, and it makes me feel calm and relaxed. Moments like these hold significance in caring for our own well-being.” Kunomari, a Japanese illustrator known for depicting nature, animals, and joyful individuals, was invited by viction:ary, a cross-media design studio in Hong Kong, to collaborate with illustrators from around the world on an picture book titled LIFE STILLS that centers on the theme of serenity.
“LIFE STILLS is a collection of illustrations that captures the subtle joys and comforting moments found amidst the hustle and bustle of life. The various works within this collection portray the seemingly ordinary daily scenes, recreating an atmosphere of tranquility that touches the soul. Personally, I find immense pleasure in creating illustrations that are quiet and serene that can luminate the heart. This book perfectly aligns with my vision. I feel a deep sense of honor to have my work published alongside the exceptional illustrations created by artists whom I deeply admire.” Every scene depicted in the collection, though portraying places one may have never been to, evokes a sense of familiarity. It is as if these landscapes have been glimpsed somewhere before or experienced fleetingly in passing moments. Do they truly exist, or are they perhaps manifestations of landscapes that were once dreamed of?
“When I create, I often find myself drawn to the depiction of ‘places that are not here’. This inclination arose naturally; but later on, I realized that it stems from a subconscious longing within me. Perhaps it originates from a sense of confinement I experienced during my childhood, prompting me to convey the message: ‘There undeniably exists a wonderful place out there that is more aligned with your unique essence.’”
Residing in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kunomari often takes walks through a nearby park overlooking the vast ocean. “When I look at the sea and observe the diverse individuals in the park, I realize that these people each have their own unique lives and narratives, and that realization warms my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life capturing fragments of people’s lives, transforming them into art.” Kunomari’s illustrations not only capture beautiful moments but also evoke profound narratives within those very instances. In particular, the recurring presence of people accompanied by dogs invites viewers to ponder the untold stories unfolding between them. “I once had a shepherd dog, and we shared many happy moments together. The dog’s departure deeply influenced my art. Dogs frequently appear in my works, and even without a single explanation in words, viewers can sense the profound significance of the dog’s presence. They have become an integral and meaningful element in my art.”
Kunomari’s artwork frequently features people accompanied by dogs. They could be playing on gentle hills, enjoying the crashing waves and sea breeze, or walking through vast snowy landscapes. “’Snowy Mountain’ is a pivotal piece that defined my artistic style and marked the first foray into incorporating dogs into my creations. The piece has a clear and concise composition that helps to portray the connection between humans and dogs more profoundly, while expressing the tranquility and serenity of the snow-covered mountains.” Kunomari’s art is a precious gift, gently reminding people not to overlook the abundance of beautiful landscapes awaiting exploration—the warm sunshine, crashing waves, blossoming flowers, starry nights, and the rich tapestry of companionship and emotions.
