This unfinished painting is based on pictures Katie Brown gave me of her pet turtle. I have “spiced” up the colors by using green gold nest to burnt scarlet and cobalt blue next to burnt scarlet. I am also working off of three different photos of the turtle. I think it is an example of the Japanese art concept of “Iki” or life where you put a lot of things together to create something with new life that is deeply personal.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that embodies the idea of having a purpose in life. It combines two words: iki, meaning “life” or “alive,” and gai, which refers to “effect,” “result,” or “worth”. Ikigai is individualized and unique to each person.