20260415-004_web
Liminal Space
Danielle Okimoto
Digital illustration, 14.5 x 11 in.
Liminal Space captures a vivid memory of my childhood at the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, where the simple act of eating mochi triggers a return to a quieter time. This work explores the serene suspense of these “between” moments that felt frozen in time. The torii gate acts as a metaphor for transition, marking the threshold between our world and the divine. By depicting my younger self as a ghostly figure lingering at the water’s edge, I aim to preserve the stillness of a sanctuary I’m reminded of in the past.
20260415-003_web
Stormy Days
Danielle Okimoto
Digital illustration, 11.25 x 17.5 in.
Calm After the Storm reflects on the childhood frustration of learning to use chopsticks. In this piece, the turbulent waters and crashing waves serve as metaphors for the challenges of growing up and the effort required to keep up with older siblings. Positioned between a dark storm and a brightening horizon, the young girl represents a moment of transition. The work focuses on the intersection of struggle and relief; showing that even in the midst of a personal “storm,” there is a budding sense of peace and hope as she finally overcomes a small but significant hurdle.
20260415-002_web
Anemoia
Danielle Okimoto
Digital illustration, 17.5 x 11 in.
As a fifth-generation Japanese-American in Hawaii, I often feel a sense of cultural displacement when navigating the space between my ancestral roots and the melting pot I call home. This piece uses the contrast between a distant sakura tree and a prominent plumeria tree in the foreground to symbolize the gap between these two worlds. The fireflies and the stillness of the boat capture the feelings of “anemoia:” a longing for the traditions and language that were lost or modified as generations passed. It reflects a quiet, fleeting moment of wonder about an alternate life reshaped by the passage of time.
20260224-001_web
New Beginnings and Past Dreams
Danielle Okimoto
Digital illustration, 17 x 10.75 in.
New Beginnings and Past Dreams concludes this series by reflecting on the quiet space between the end of a chapter and the start of something new. I was inspired by Buddhist funeral customs which are apparent in the transition from a spiritual offering to a physical shoreline. The character stands on land for the first time, signaling the end of one journey, while the vast ocean suggests more to come. By depicting the final panel without the character, the focus shifts from her presence to the enduring nature of her journey, offering a sense of peace and closure to this story.
20260506-001_web
Inday’s Teachings
Gianna Villavicencio
Digital art Clip Studio Paint, 12.8″ x 7.2″, 3840 px x 2160 px, 350 cpi
Inday’s Teachings is a digital artwork tributing to pre-colonial Visayan heritage, depicting siblings in a stilt payag (home) practicing traditional pottery. By a warm campfire, the “Inday” (younger sister) instructs her brother, passing what she knows to him. The subjects are adorned in authentic clothing–bahag, patadyong–and intricate gold jewelry. Their bodies are covered with historical batok (tattoos) also.I used a warm and unified palette to emphasize the subjects and to show off their familial bond This work aims to reclaim a “lost” history of Filipino wealth and artistry, presenting a vibrant, dignified portrait of my culture before colonization.