Artist Statement

The Art of Stillness

I paint slowly because I am afraid of losing what is real.

In our busy lives, we are often rushing from one place to the next, our eyes glued to our phones. We have become experts at moving fast, but we have stopped noticing the world around us. My work begins when I choose to slow down. I put my phone away and simply look at what is right in front of me.

When you take the time to pay attention, the city comes alive. You begin to see the beauty in a neighborhood garden or the unique character of a pigeon on the sidewalk. These are the small, quiet gifts of the streets that make our daily lives a little brighter. I paint these moments to capture the beauty of the present—the simple joy of being exactly where you are.

We live in a world where everything is made faster and cheaper, from our clothes to our digital ideas. While this efficiency is useful, it comes at a cost: we are losing touch with the handmade. Traditional crafts, from French artisan techniques to Japanese heritage, are slowly disappearing because we have forgotten the value of taking our time.

I graduated with a BFA from Parsons Paris, where I learned a lot about modern technology and digital media. However, I often felt that the "idea" behind a project was valued more than the actual making of it. I found myself craving a deeper connection to the things I create.

Having lived away from home since I was 15, I have come to realize that my true identity is rooted in the Japanese dedication to quality and long-lasting craftsmanship. This is why I chose to study Nihonga, a traditional Japanese painting style.

Nihonga is an act of love and patience. It begins by preparing special washi paper and grinding raw pigments by hand. It is a slow, complex process that cannot be rushed or automated. For me, this is more than just a technique—it is a way of life. By choosing the "slow" path, I hope to keep these beautiful traditions alive and remind others that there is still magic in things made with time, heart, and human hands.

Artist Resume
  • A detailed close-up of the traditional Nihonga painting "固定概念 - Discourse -" by Ryuku Otsuka. The artwork features a reddish-brown and white patterned pigeon standing in profile over a soft green base, framed by vibrant, intricate yellow sunflowers on curling stems. Set against a warm, aged golden background texture on paper with an artist signature seal in the top left corner.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "rest" (休息) by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features two detailed grey pigeons resting amidst a pond filled with large green lotus leaves, blooming white and red-tipped lotus flowers, and delicate lotus buds. Swirling golden water currents accent the deep, dark pond water, which reveals a subtle background of blue bricks, blending a tranquil natural scene with a quiet touch of urban juxtaposition.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "vitality" by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features a beautifully detailed grey pigeon with iridescent green and purple neck feathers perched on a dark green railing. The bird is set against a lush backdrop of white and dark blue hydrangeas clinging to textured garden stones, painted with a quiet, slow-living dedication on a warm, textured gold-toned background.
  • A calm Japanese Nihonga painting titled "surface" by Ryuku Otsuka. Five detailed pigeons with intricate, colorful feathers gather beneath hanging orange Chinese lantern plants, offering a quiet, textured sanctuary of slow living.
  • A calm Japanese Nihonga painting titled "marius" by Ryuku Otsuka. A detailed white pigeon rests peacefully on a dark, textured branch surrounded by vibrant yellow safflowers and delicate blue blossoms against a warm gold-leaf background, offering a quiet, healing visual sanctuary.
  • A calm Japanese Nihonga painting titled "whisper" by Ryuku Otsuka. Three detailed pigeons rest close together among vibrant red tulips and delicate blossoms against a warm terracotta background, creating a peaceful visual sanctuary of slow living.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "Dream" (夢) by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features a beautifully detailed white and grey pigeon perched on the branches of a tree in full bloom with white magnolia flowers. A glowing golden-yellow moon sits behind the branches, while a classic Parisian-style building with a balcony is depicted in the lower right, blending a serene, slow-living natural scene with subtle urban architecture.
  • A detailed Japanese Nihonga art print titled "pride" by Ryuku Otsuka. A single pigeon with meticulously painted black, white, and iridescent purple feathers is perched quietly on a dark tree branch. The tree is filled with delicate white plum blossoms outlined in soft red, set against a brilliant sky-blue background. A bright yellow balloon floats gently near the trunk, presenting a peaceful, slow-living scene with a subtle urban touch.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "love" (愛) by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features two beautifully detailed pigeons—one resting near the top and another near the bottom—nestled within a lush, vibrant garden of red and pink peonies, white chrysanthemums, and yellow pansies. A modern paper coffee cup rests quietly among the blossoms, blending classical natural motifs with a touch of urban, slow-living juxtaposition on a warm, textured background.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "hope" (希望) by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features a white pigeon in the foreground and a black pigeon standing near a window draped in soft green curtains. Abundant clusters of vibrant red Nandina berries hang from branches on the left, contrasting with a modern blue 1664 beer can and a small cigarette bud resting nearby, blending traditional craft with urban elements.
  • A full-view Japanese Nihonga art print titled "Desire" (渇望) by Ryuku Otsuka. The composition features a beautifully detailed grey pigeon with iridescent green and purple neck feathers looking up toward a floating golden royal crown. Branching overhead is a flowering tree with vibrant orange blossoms, while bright yellow chrysanthemums grow against blue garden rocks on the right, blending classical symbolism with natural, slow-living elements on a warm, textured gold-toned background.
  • A calm Japanese Nihonga painting titled "door" by Ryuku Otsuka. A detailed gray pigeon leans down to drink from a swirling blue puddle beneath cascading white and orange chrysanthemums, offering a peaceful moment of slow living and quiet reflection.
  • A calm Japanese Nihonga painting titled "home" by Ryuku Otsuka. Two detailed pigeons rest peacefully amidst winding green vines and white clematis flowers against a warm gold-leaf background, offering a quiet, mindful sanctuary of slow living.