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The Web3 art realm has shown itself to be a space that attracts a wide range of artistic talents, from those new to art completely or seasoned veterans of the traditional art realm.
As for this Tokyo-based artist, he’s been practicing traditional painting for over two decades but has made a significant transition into the digital art world with works that blend cultural influences from Japan and the United States. Additionally, the artist utilizes a deep understanding of shapes and color to assemble a serene interplay of color and composition.
Every week, nft now’s Next Up unveils a new artist from our curated list of ascendant talents who have been making significant waves throughout Web3. This week, we’re excited to feature A-Mashiro.
A-Mashiro
A-Mashiro is an artist who transitioned from over two decades of traditional painting to digital art after being inspired by the emergence of NFTs.
Having grown up in Japan, A-Mashiro’s art is a harmonious blend of Japanese cultural influences and Western art styles. His work often incorporates Japanese patterns remembered from childhood yet exhibits a strong Western influence in terms of color and composition.
A-Mashiro finds solace in his creative process, which he shares aims to create art that instills calmness in the viewer.
nft now: How did you first become interested/involved in digital art?
A-Mashiro: I originally painted physical paintings for over 20 years, and when I got my iPad in early 2021 and learned about NFT, I decided to try my hand at digital painting. It was one of those moments that changed my life.
nft now: How would you describe your art?
A-Mashiro: I think my art is a mixture of many different things. I grew up in Japan, but I have seen and studied a lot of Western art. I use Japanese patterns from my childhood memories, but my work is strongly influenced by the West. And I am especially interested in color and composition.
I place lines and colors as if they were there originally. If I continue to do this, I find peace in my work. I want to make paintings that calm the viewer’s mind.
nft now: What’s your process like? And where do you usually find inspiration?
A-Mashiro: I draw inspiration for my work from all kinds of places and experiences. But the biggest influence is the scenery of my hometown. There is a lot of greenery, and the ocean is close by.
The house I grew up in is over 150 years old. There are traditional Japanese patterns here and there. Japanese culture is a culture of functional beauty. The absence of unnecessary decoration is similar to the spirit of minimalism. But it doesn’t mean that there is no playfulness. It is something that has accumulated in me. As I paint, these experiences naturally appear in my work.
nft now: What are the biggest challenges facing rising artists in web3?
A-Mashiro: Life is usually plagued with the same problems. Regardless of whether you are new or not, we always have challenges.
But if you are going to try Web3 now, the biggest challenge is that there are already so many artists out there. They may have already done what you are thinking or trying to express. There is a certain amount of community that has already formed, so you have to get in there.
Still, now is the best time for you to get involved because we can’t go back in time.
nft now: What advice do you have for rising artists in this space?
A-Mashiro: Do what you want to do. If you try to force yourself, it won’t last. Don’t let others steer you; control yourself.
The market is constantly changing, and what was popular yesterday is often worthless today. Especially in this industry, trends move very fast. So, the best thing to do is to keep doing what you love and believe in.
Another thing is to be open with people. And if you can, collect someone’s work and attend IRL events. I am sure you will experience wonderful encounters with people from all over the world.
