Rushika, flower flower / No. 6 "Chitose Bana"

I started this piece during the season of Shichi-Go-San.

The Shichi-Go-San banners at the nearby shrine swayed in the wind,

and the refreshing atmosphere was strangely comforting, which led me to buy a fresh shine muscat tart from a nearby patisserie.

This project, A.O.V25, is about creating 25 pieces.

This means I get to choose 25 themes.

I thought it might be interesting to deliberately choose a seasonal event that I wouldn't normally pick up on as a theme.

I was on the "receiving end" of Shichi-Go-San, but now that I'm an adult and I think about it again,

I find myself wondering, "So, what exactly is Shichi-Go-San again?" and looking it up...

A.O.V has added just a little bit of thickness to the dictionary in my head.

In recent years, due to various circumstances, the way we celebrate seasonal events has changed, but

regardless of that background—

I selfishly find comfort in the mere existence of such Japanese events.

I hope to continue to feel that unique, charming atmosphere that drifts about only during events and festivals.

Now, the original theme for Lusica Flowerflower was "flowers," but

it's been a while since I've directly depicted a flower motif.

When you think of Shichi-Go-San, you think of colorful kimonos and the scenery of the shrine grounds adorned with flower patterns.

I've also experienced that scenery myself, and as I recalled that atmosphere,

I applied colors, almost dizzy from the brilliance.

It's not the colors that overwhelm me, but the image—that's a common sensation.

The blurred, slightly hazy flowers are

still incomplete, soft, yet vibrant in color.

I wanted to convey both the fragility and splendor of children, and the beauty of kimonos.

For the eyes, I imagined the "captivating sparkle" peculiar to children,

and created an expression that was somehow clear, making you want to say, "Don't look at me like that with that face."

The main color, pink,

incorporated pink and white like Chitosetsume candy as the artwork's colors,

and the flowers blooming within were colored with a more vibrant pink.

Chitosetsume candy, nostalgic but for some reason, I never thought "I want to eat it again."

Apparently, there are milky and fruit-flavored types now.