Visitors. by Masanori Ushiki / 512-page paperback with vinyl cover, 5 x 7.25 inches A super attractive little book from APTP in Japan [last copy; small dent at top right of cover/spine] *** The artist explains: "Visitors is an ongoing series of character portraits--released once a day on Instagram--that started on August 13th, 2016. In a sense, these characters 'visit' my followers. "I spend roughly 30 minutes to an hour each day sketching impromptu an anime character or superhero that inspired me as a kid. I then digitize this expression to convey the spontaneous energy that went into it. "My creations run the gamut from fictional and sci-fi characters to beautiful girls and figures that you swear might really exist out there. Born on my timeline, they continue to visit my followers, bringing with them humor, surprise and sarcasm. "The project is a way for me to express my gratitude to the many expressions and characters I met in my youth." About Masanori Ushiki (牛木匡憲): Born in 1981 (Niigata Prefecture). Graduated from Musashino Art University in 2004. Since then, Masanori has created a diverse body of digital and analog work informed by manga, anime and “tokusatsu” techniques. Each visual expression, ranging from the humorous to the fashion-inclined, is tailored to the era and the medium of choice.
