2015 in review

Hello boys and girls,

we finally close six years of maintaining this blog. This has been quite an unproductive year for this blog. It feels weird to look back and realize just how little we wrote. I guess life takes a toll on all of us and the things we love. I don’t want to whine too much but it somehow makes me nostalgic for the past.

To be honest I can’t promise that we will continue for much longer. Due to personal issues and our daily troubles and responsibilities, it’ll be quite hard to keep going. On my part I will try to keep the interview section alive and I hope to share some of my thoughts here too. I believe Foxy will try to contribute from time to time.

If there’s a wish I want to give all of you is that you will truly enjoy, to the outmost extent, what precious treasure you have in your hands today. You never know when it’ll be gone.

Best wishes

June

Cute & Creepy: An Interview with Ayame Shiroi

Introduction

Cute: attractive in a pretty or endearing way

Creepy: causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease.

Mixing characteristics that, at first sight, seem to be polar opposites has been one of the most effective ways to create interesting, challenging art. Giving something a bright and accessible appearance can be a smart way to draw people into an unexpected darkness. Ayame Shiroi, an illustrator well known for her usage of vivid colors, youthful fashion and spooky themes, is a good example of how to do the mix the right way, emphasizing the values of both cute and creepy. Interviewing her was a temptation we simply couldn’t resist.