Tales of the Fiery Pig (Homasubi)

Omni-Science Portland Mercury cover by Patrick GannonIn a landscape covered with houses built from paper and wood, emergency is spelled f-i-r-e. Well, actually, it’s spelled 火. The guy responsible for looking after the hot stuff was Homasubi, the god of fire. His story is rather short and dark (think about giving birth to a god of fire), but he wasn’t a bad guy. Just had a bit of a temper, you know.

Homasubi had a human form, but usually preferred to appear as a fiery boar. Appropriate for someone prone to the occassional temper flare-up. Seeing as this is still the Year of the Boar 亥年 (my year), I wanted to make one more inoshishi piece. It was designed as a companion piece to this Little Piggy. I think this may also be the most monochromatic color piece I’ve ever done.

Illustration Friday

  1. Vhrsti’s avatar

    Very nice artwork. Like it a lot!

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  2. studio lolo’s avatar

    Wonderful Boar…love the hot embers. I always enjoy the legends that go with your beautiful work.

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  3. Kim’s avatar

    This would make a sweet poster. You have such great artwork!

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  4. Amanda’s avatar

    This is wonderful! I haven’t seen much in the way of cut paper art, but it’s such an interesting medium.

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  5. Digital Scott’s avatar

    Wow, really spectacular!

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  6. benconservato’s avatar

    Your work is so delicate, every time I look at the thin cuts and how it isn’t separate pieces, I just can’t believe it. I know it sounds silly, but I’ve only just mastered very simple mon kiri.

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  7. Maarit’s avatar

    I’ve seen a lot of your working while surfing the net, you’re all over the place! I love your work, it’s very elegant and fresh, reminds me a bit of Samurai Jack (always a good thing).

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  8. manuel papel’s avatar

    Patrick, nice to meet you and thanks for your comment;
    you have a great stuff! Your work is very interesting, you have a strong line and I like your painted / texturized style

    …and the pig has a great design
    See you!

    Reply

  9. patrick’s avatar

    Hi everyone! Thanks for all the great comments!

    Yeah, ben (who is not a boy named Ben), I used to make everything out of separate pieces, but I’m trying more and more to connect with at least one paper/colo to tie the image together. I’ve never tried mon kiri. hmm…

    Maarit, yup, there’s no such thing as bad Samurai Jack! (Love you work, by the way).

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