My own icon is sad and tired. I wanted to do something new, and I've been thinking a lot about Japan, what with the earthquake and how I spent two years in northern Japan very near the devastation.

One of the happy times was in each spring, when the cherry blossoms bloomed. There would be at least a few gatherings at particularly scenic locations. Takamatsu no ike was a pond in the north of town, a nice little scenic pond surrounded by cherry trees. There would be some booths, and if you're particularly eagle eyed, you may see the takoyaki stand, beer both, and kingyou (goldfish game) booth. At Takamatsu no ike I got some new goldfish for my aquarium by picking them up and putting them in the bowl using rice paper in a hoop. One of them even lasted another year, until after I was gone.

Digital painting, warmup for getting back into more serious art for Anthrocon.