Painting an Asian Elephant at Dawn

I apologize for the delay in sharing this story from last month.
I am a moody person, so I find it hard to take action unless my level of excitement for the subject matter is high.

Some people are good at quickly knocking out tasks in their spare time, but that is an area I struggle with.

Unless my thoughts and passion have fully matured, I just can't bring myself to start.
Therefore, I am also very bad at aligning my 24-hour day with the movements of the sun and stars; when I am honest with my feelings, I often feel that a 24-hour rhythm just doesn't suit me.

It seems my motivation rhythm works better with a cycle of about 27 hours.
At first, I idle along, sputtering and steaming, but once I find the right moment to get going, I accelerate all at once. That continues for several hours until I enter a high-energy zone. By that time, the date on Earth has usually changed, and since my voltage is rising from there, if I follow my impulses honestly, I end up entering the time zone when the sun is rising.

I have family members who live their social lives according to the Earth's cycle, so I wake them up when morning comes and prepare breakfast and lunch boxes for them, but honestly, being pulled back from my own rhythm to the Earth's rhythm at that point is the most frustrating, yet unavoidable, moment.

Now then.

Because that is my nature, when I am in a different place, especially on a solo business trip, I don't have to worry about anyone else, so I can activate my own rules and make time however I like.

During my business trip to Tokyo last month, I took advantage of those personal rules to wake up from a nap just after midnight and started painting in my hotel room.

My excitement continued to rise, and I kept painting non-stop.
My inspiration was sharp, too. (laughs)

I used an acrylic paint set and watercolor pencils I procured locally.
The palette was a plastic bag for postcards that I had hurriedly torn down the middle.
The only thing I brought with me was a small brush.
I borrowed a toothbrushing cup to use as a water container...

This Asian elephant was a commission where I was told to 'paint it however you like,' so I painted it as I pleased.

The Asian elephant is a motif I often like to use.
The Asian elephant, with its wrinkled skin, drooping ears, many spots, and rugged-looking head. I am drawn to its sorrowful appearance and have used it as a motif for my paintings many times.

For some reason, my mood is sharpened and my focus intensifies during the late night to early morning hours.
Perhaps it is because it is a long, continuous period of time without business calls, visitors, or contact with the outside world.

Since most people are asleep, I feel like there is less of the energy of thoughts or whatever it is that people emit into the world compared to when they are awake. (laughs)
The space feels clean, and I feel like ideas come down to me freely.

As I do that, my cycle and the Earth's cycle drift apart again.
While making fine adjustments to that every few days, I might actually enjoy this kind of life, even while being sleep-deprived.

Oh, by the way, I am also doing a bit of YouTube.
It is mainly about the making of my works.
For the latest one, I tried adding my own voice.
Please take a look if you would like.