Cuteness and strength. The secret behind Yufu Mitani's "power to be loved" [Unique Communication #16]
"Isai Tsuushin" is a column introducing artists brought to you by Marie ( @Marie_heralbony ) , the Isai Evangelist . In addition to the appeal of the works produced by Isai artists, we will deliver it in a chatty style, including wonderful experiences born from the interaction between Heralbony and Isai artists. For all of you who love the "unusual". We will support your tomorrow with content that will help you relax and give you energy.
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"Hey, you look great." "Thank you. You look great too."
You can almost hear such cheerful conversations from the vibrant flowers.
The title of this piece is "The Talkative Rose." It's a truly charming piece that makes you wonder what it is talking about.
Although it is painted using striking orange and yellow colors, the mysterious charm of this work is that it exudes a gentle, enveloping atmosphere.
The artist who painted this piece is Yuh Mitani, who lives in Fukuoka. He is also the unique artist behind the popular "Apple Bouquet" art that is a staple at HERALBONY. The "Apple Bouquet" skirt and blouse released last year sold out immediately. The new skirt and blouse released this year have also sold out, and other items are attracting a lot of interest.
>See "Apple Bouquet" itemsYufu's works have a mysterious charm; their cuteness eases the heart, yet there is also a sense of strength within them.
Loveliness and strength. How are Yufu's works created? This time, we will explore the appeal of her work from two perspectives: her daily life and her work environment.
Flowers and compassion.
Yufu often creates works with flower motifs, such as "Apple Bouquet" and "Chatty Rose."
Flowers have been very important to her since she was a child.
For example, Yufu's daily habit was to pick flowers on her way to school.
When Yumi was a junior high school student, her teacher taught her the names of various flowers. So that she could develop what she liked and have something she was good at. As if responding to her teacher's wishes, Yumi became more and more knowledgeable about flowers.
This daily routine continued even after she became an adult and began working at an art studio.
On the way to her studio, she would pick flowers blooming on the roadside and give them to the staff at the facility as presents. That was Yufu's routine.
Yufu's warm habits go beyond giving flowers as presents.For example, she always neatly lines up the shoes at the entrance to her studio, and when the floor gets dirty with paint, she takes the initiative to clean it up. Yufu's actions are filled with her deep compassion and desire to make people smile.
"Cuteness" is a power
Besides flowers, Yufu loves all things cute.
Influenced by her parents' love of cute things, Yufu was surrounded by cute things, including Sanrio character goods, from the time she was born.
Her favorite characters are the French picture book characters "Gaspard and Lisa." By chance, her brother found and recommended the Gaspard and Lisa exhibition, and when she went there, she fell in love with the adorable characters at first sight. Since then, Gaspard and Lisa have always been by her side.
Even when I feel like I'm at a standstill in my daily life, together with Lisa and Gaspard I can lift my spirits and get back to work creating.
The word "cute" was also an important keyword for Yufu and her mother.
Yufu experienced a serious illness when she was 4 years old. In order to save her life, she chose the best treatment possible, but she ended up with a physical disability and gradually lost the ability to do things she had been able to do before. Her mother, who found it difficult to see Yufu like that, made her attend rehabilitation training every day and spent her days working hard to somehow stop the progression of the illness.
One day, while her mother was reclining in the kotatsu, Yufu brought her a plate of Arale and said, "Here's a snack."
When the mother reached out to catch the bunny, she was resting on her elbows and her arms had become limp, causing her to miss the chance to grab it. When she saw the bunny scattered on the floor, she said she thought to herself, "I wonder if I have forced my daughter to do something similar. I feel sorry for forcing her to do something like that."
She then told us that she wanted her daughter to live a life that would make her think, 'I'm glad to be alive,' and so her first priority became how she could be happy, rather than trying to make her more like a normal person.
And then the idea came to me: "cute."
Yufu likes cute things and smiles when people tell her she is cute herself, so when they make eye contact he says "cute" and when they eat, too, making sure to affirm her existence with loving words like "cute."
The power of that cuteness has beautifully translated into Yufu's confidence and self-esteem.
At home or in her studio, whenever Yufu sees herself in the mirror she smiles, puts her hand to her cheek and says, "Oh, how cute!"
This is a wonderful episode that gives us hints and power to live happily, true to ourselves, and affirm our own abilities, regardless of whether we have a disability or not.
"What did you eat today, Dad?"
The many names of dishes on display show her love for her father. Not only her paintings, but also her charming writing conveys her warm personality.
The strength of character to see things through to completion
Although there are many stories about Yufu that are filled with kindness and warmth, she also has a strong-willed side.
When he decides to paint or do something, he will silently finish it to the very end. Even when asked "Shall I do it tomorrow?" he will reply "No, I'll see it through to the end," and it seems he is particular about finishing what he has decided to finish.
Also, when her first "painting job" was a big performance where she had to paint a piece of art using a large brush in the shopping district, her family was worried, saying, "She might start crying and not be able to finish..." but Yufu managed to complete the job with a serious look on her face, which surprised even her family.
He sees through what he decides to do. This may be due to his strong desire to communicate something through his work.How an apple bouquet is created
The tools used are colored pencils and watercolors. First, draw with colored pencils, then layer watercolors on top. The paint is prepared on a palette by the atelier staff, who then apply it to the brush, which Yufu receives and applies the colors.
This is how the work "Apple Bouquet," which continues to fascinate many people, was born. It was painted in 2006.
Every day, I work on it bit by bit, slowly and carefully. When I can no longer reach the back of the piece, I rotate it around and start again. So, this piece actually has no top or bottom.
The subject of the work was a wreath with apples that she had seen in a book on wreaths that she had borrowed from the library. When she saw the wreath, she interpreted it as a "bouquet," so she chose the title. By the way, when Yufu creates her work, she always chooses one she likes and draws while looking at that motif.
The reason why Yufu's works have a sense of both softness and strength may be because the two tools she uses - colored pencils that act as a solid base and watercolors that wrap around them - are linked to Yufu's personality.
"Yufu-san's unique style" blossoms in her work
Looking at the works again, it seems as if Yufu's personality is blossoming kindly and cheerfully within them. 
The "Apple Bouquet" gives the impression of a bright smile. Each flower depicted in the bouquet exudes strength and dignity.
>See "Apple Bouquet" items 
The "Chatty Rose" seems to gently embrace the viewer, yet it also has a happy laughter and a friendly air, as if it is about to say something to the viewer.
> Limited edition "Chatty Rose" T-shirt with serial number (only 30 pieces)
Furthermore, the title of this work is "Presents and Candles"
This work seems to directly reflect Yufu's thoughts and personality, wanting to make those around her happy.In this way, you can communicate with the artist through their work. Furthermore, after getting to know the artist, you can enjoy the individuality of the artist that emerges from their work.
By holding or wearing the art, you can enjoy the interaction between the artist's thoughts, the power of the art, and yourself.
There are endless ways to enjoy this unique art.
Items featuring this artist's art
> Limited edition T-shirt with serial number "Chatty Rose" (only 30 pieces)> Classic shirt "Apple Bouquet"
>Silk satin scarf "Apple Bouquet" (Paris Edition)
> Sub-bag "Apple Bouquet" (M)
Yufu Mitani Yuh Mitani
Born in Fukuoka City in 1988. A character drawing she had been doing in the corner of her diary caught the eye of a teacher at a special needs school, and her illustration was chosen for a calendar for the Special Olympics Nippon Fukuoka, which led her to aspire to a career in painting. She creates both colored pencil and watercolor drawings in soft colors, as well as vivid, bold-line acrylic paintings.
