Kasumi – The Idea Behind My New Animal Portrait Series

In recent years, my art was often more detailed, more contrasted, and more intense in color. I experimented a lot and tried many different approaches – and that was important. At some point, however, I realized that I was longing for more reduction. For images that don’t reveal everything at once, but instead leave space. Space for silence, for breathing, for personal reflection.

“Kasumi” is a Japanese word that roughly translates to mist or haze. It was exactly this feeling that inspired me: soft transitions, gentle backgrounds, and motifs that are not loud, but quietly present. Mist doesn’t hide things – it softens them. It takes the harshness out of a landscape and allows contours to blend into one another. This is the atmosphere I wanted to translate into my animal portraits.

With my new series Kasumi, I consciously chose to take a quieter path.

Japanese Aesthetics as Inspiration – Not Imitation

My connection to Japanese aesthetics has grown over the years, but experiencing it in Japan itself deepened that appreciation in a completely new way.

The sense of calm and softness I felt there is something I have not experienced anywhere else in quite the same form. It is a unique balance between restraint and a deep connection to nature. Colors are often muted, materials feel natural and honest. Nothing is loud or overwhelming – and yet everything feels intentional.

Whether in clothing, interior design, or art, the focus is not on impressing, but on accompanying. That mindset has influenced me deeply. I do not want to copy Japanese art. That is important to me.For me, it is an inspiration – an impulse.

The concept of Ma in particular – the conscious space between things – has had a lasting impact on me. The idea that emptiness is not “missing,” but meaningful, is something that strongly shapes my new series. I try to translate this restrained aesthetic into my own visual language – through my motifs, my colors, and the way I paint.

Why I Paint Animals

I have been painting animals for as long as I can remember.It was never a trend or a calculated decision for me – it has simply always been there.

Even as a child, I was constantly drawing animals. Their faces, their eyes, their posture always fascinated me. Animals carry a kind of presence that works entirely without words. That quiet intensity is what continues to interest and inspire me to this day.

I am especially drawn to capturing different structures and textures: fur, delicate whiskers, light reflections in the eyes, and the subtle transitions between foreground and background. When working with acrylic on canvas, I consciously build up layers to create depth and a sense of quiet vitality.

In the Kasumi series, the animals stand calmly at the center. Not dramatic. Not staged. Not heroic.

A wolf, a manul, or any other animal portrait in this series is not meant to force a narrative. Instead, it aims to create an atmosphere. A quiet encounter. The gaze of the animal often becomes the strongest element in the painting — it creates connection.

Color Palette and Materiality

The color palette of my new animal portraits is intentionally reduced and harmoniously composed. I work primarily with misty blues, soft sage greens, gentle grays, and warm earthy tones. These colors feel calm, natural, and timeless. They integrate beautifully into living spaces without overwhelming them.

The backgrounds remain open and softly rendered. They are not empty, but consciously restrained. This creates space — allowing the subject to breathe and exist without visual pressure.

The materials themselves are also an essential part of the series. I work with acrylic on canvas, building the surface in multiple layers. This process creates delicate transitions and a subtle sense of depth.

In addition, I incorporate small accents of gold, silver, or metallic pigments. These elements are used very sparingly and intentionally. They are not meant to dominate or appear decorative. Instead, they function as quiet light impulses. Depending on the viewing angle and lighting, these areas begin to shimmer gently, adding a living quality to the piece — without disturbing its overall calm atmosphere.

Who is the Kasumi series for?

The Kasumi series is created for people who appreciate calm art and minimalist animal portraits. For those who consciously choose original artwork and are not just looking for a motif, but for an atmosphere.

These pieces fit into spaces that radiate clarity — bright interiors, nature-inspired homes, and environments where less truly is more.

Each painting is a hand-painted original in acrylic on canvas. It is a one-of-a-kind artwork. This uniqueness matters to me, because it gives each piece its own presence and value.

I hope these works are not seen as simple wall decoration, but as quiet companions within a space. As art that does not speak loudly — yet remains with you.