Kiriko Moth: Pseudo-Victorian Mechanical "Steampunk" Style

[reviews_and_ramblings]

When I was very little I had an Art Nouveau print in my room and I used to going to sleep staring at it, so maybe this is th reason why I like so much the work of this artist, Kiriko Moth. Here is what she says in her presentation:

"I have been drawing and painting since a very young age, ever since I learned that art was a way to make tangible the things we could never have in real life. I’ve always known I was going to be an artist; it’s so much a part of me that even if it wasn’t a career path, I’d still be drawing all the time.

I was born in Sacramento but grew up in Santa Fe and Nashville. I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BFA in graphic design and illustration, and decided to return to Northern California. I now live in San Francisco, which is just an incredible city. I’m working at immersing myself more in the art community here in SF – I really hope to get to be a part of the amazing local scene.

 
The Engine

 
Clockwork Wings: "It started out as a throwaway scribble in my sketchbook and turned into a sort of iconic piece for me. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s one of the few pieces that I can look at and honestly say that I don’t want to change or fix some part of it." 

 
Mechanical Koi


Heron's Feathers: "since I’ve been making art all of my life, I count my first true piece as being the one that felt like my best accomplishment after I switched gears back to illustration. It’s called ‘Heron’s Feathers’, and since it’s only from 2005, I do still have it!"


Angel and Demon


Angel and Demon


Orchids


Captive Brothers: "Artwork from "The Brothers and the Dragon", an illustrated fairytale for adults by Kiriko Moth and Katherine Tag."


The Watermill


Pulling the Tides


Foxes and Wires 

 
Rebuilding
 
 
Floodwaters: "The best candidate for the dubious honor of the hardest piece that I’ve ever done. Perspective is not my friend, so even though I had good references, the architecture was extremely trying." 

 
Isabelle

 
Ruins

I have dabbled in just about every method and medium that I can get my hands on, but I currently work almost exclusively in ink with digital color. I love to mix the traditional with the new – my work begins in pencil and ink on bristol paper, which I then scan and color in Photoshop.

I draw inspiration from many artists, but some of my favorites include Alphonse Mucha, Michael Whelan, John Jude Palencar, Thomas Canty, and Michael Parkes."

In Organica: A collection of sketches and full-color artwork by illustrator Kiriko Moth. This book contains mild yaoi themes and tasteful artistic nudity
 
Amazon: In Organica

The Brothers and the Dragon: they were half-brothers, bastard sons of the Emperor, content in the splendor of the palace...until the day their father offered them as sacrifices to the cruel dragon, Ryu, who plagued the countryside. Wearing a man's form during the day, and a dragon form at night, he keeps them as his playthings and escape seems impossible. A yaoi fairytale storybook for adults with 18 full color illustrations. (This book is definitely for adults only and contains the following themes that may offend some readers: Sexual relationship between adult half-brothers, non-consensual sex, violence.)

Amazon: The Brothers and the Dragon

Kiriko Moth's artwork can be viewed at:

http://kiriko-moth.com/

More Artists at my website: http://www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Art

Comments

[yachay.livejournal.com]

Wow, I just love these. Very beautiful.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, also I love them, they are complex in their simplicity. Elisa

[angelabenedetti.livejournal.com]

Mmm, very nice. There's an art nouveau flavor to it that I really like.

Angie

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I think that the purpose of this "steampunk" art is exactly that, to "infuse" a futuristic-sci-fic feeling in the Art Noveau style. Elisa

[angelabenedetti.livejournal.com]

I agree about the steampunkish ones. [nod] That very contrast, between the soft, dreamy, stylized art style and the hard, mechanical subject matter, is part of what's cool and fresh here.

Angie

[libras-art.livejournal.com]

I can definitely see the Thomas Canty and Michael Parkes influences here. She does a great job with making the style her own. Very stunning work.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

It's a style that is at the same time classic but original. I was captivated by that first picture for the grace it has. It tells a whole story. Elisa

[libras-art.livejournal.com]

I'm rather fond of the way she draws wings and fish. I've always been a fan of mixing the organic with the mechanical... and I adore anyone who uses ink so well. I love the way her photoshop coloring mimics a watercolor look.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Now that is a bit too specific for me ;-) I'm not an excerpt if not for saying what I like. I read she uses photoshop, but in my ignorance, I'm not able to say where she is using real ink or photoshop. So I will trust you when you say that she is doing it well! Elisa

[libras-art.livejournal.com]

lol! As long as it invokes something in us when we look at it, that's what really matters, no? ;-)

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly. I often don't understand the appeal of some paintings since they don't say anything to me. It's lik for the books, they can be wonderfully written, but if they don't catch me, they don't. Elisa

[chaosmyth.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much for making me discover this amazing artist ;___;♥ The combination of Art Nouveau and steampunk is irresistible, to me *___*

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I hope she will do more of these paintings. Elisa

[erah-haruna205.livejournal.com]

wow! these are really pretty ^__^

For some reason it kinda reminds me of this manga by CLAMP called "Clover". The mechanical wings and stuffs.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I browsed it:



yes, indeed it has a steampunk feeling in it.

Elisa

[ribbon-purple.livejournal.com]

Wow. These are beautiful! You have an amazing gift.

ETA. Wait, now that I've looked over the comments I'm confused. Did you draw these?

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

No indeed ;-) This is my Thursday post featuring artists. I post once a week about an artist that I like and give the reference to his/her website. This is Kiriko Moth. Elisa

[ribbon-purple.livejournal.com]

Ah ha, I see. Well, I suppose I should thank you for introducing me to her work then. It really is gorgeous.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

My pleasure. I added some links since I found she published a graphic novel some years ago. I didn't know and now I'm quite interested in buying it. Elisa

[jan-irving.livejournal.com]

Lovely, is she illustrating books? I thought I saw a possible cover she'd done when you had all those submission calls up--which were really helpful btw, if only I had more time. LOL

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

No, I used one of her drawings to illustrate a call for submissions that hasn't a cover yet, but I think she isn't doing cover. Profesionally she does tattoo designs and ad for shops. Elisa

[mondhellnacht.livejournal.com]

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Do you mean that Kiriko is talented? I just featured her work ;-) Elisa

[mondhellnacht.livejournal.com]

*sheepish* Yes. Sometimes I really need to wait until at least three hours after I wake up to comment on things.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I added a preface since maybe it was not clear that I was featuring the work of another artist. I put the word in between "...", but maybe it was not enough clear ;-) Elisa

[mondhellnacht.livejournal.com]

Thanks much, but it was in the title of this entry. I should have gotten it. ;-)

[mistry89.livejournal.com]

I love Ruins - so many stories lost or waiting to be revealed. Will take a look at the website.
Thank you, Elisa!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

You are welcome, it would be nice if someone was inspired to write them ;-) Elisa

[lusiology.livejournal.com]

0.0

Absolutely stunning.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Very captivating, more I look at them more I like them. Elisa