tavinjer
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I’m posting this into the LNI void bc I’ve been working on the thing in the picture. It’s my interpretation of the Qilin, a mythical Chinese creature. Their shadows are flames and they’re moose-sized. They’re usually purple or green or gold but this is trying to emulate Chinese watercolor style.
The hobby is actually researching mythology. I’ve spent the past few years digging into Chinese mythology — I lived there, and wanted to understand the people and culture better, so started asking questions about their stories. Legends are very much a living thing in mainland China, known by everyone and foundational to beliefs and worldview. And we have startlingly little access to any kind of organized or accurate information about it in English.
So I started writing stuff down and asking more questions and taking notes. Now I have a whole bunch of information about the creatures and heroes and stories that 1.4 billion people in China know, and like 30 people outside China even know exist. (A slight exaggeration, I think.)
Anyway, this week I’m starting a YouTube channel where I talk about the mythological critters and what to do if you run into them. The Qilin is my first subject. I’m no artist but I needed something to fill the space, and I had fun making it in a few different styles. I’m really excited to finally be doing something with all the research I’ve done!
Cat tax, Ocho pretending he’s human.