A closer look at the talented minds behind this volume’s visual story.
Meet the Artists of Vol. 8
Baby Slug — @babyslug__
Mana Echo Juretic, known as babyslug, is a Tokyo-born, Chicago-raised painter whose work fuses feminine beauty with eerie, otherworldly elements. With a background from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she builds characters that are bold, playful, and unsettling all at once—girls who look human at first but reveal alien and monstrous traits upon closer look.
She paints primarily on wooden panels using acrylic and gouache, layering vibrant colors with uncanny details. Her works create a world that feels both enchanting and unsettling, inviting viewers to explore the fine line between beauty and the bizarre.
DMC — @dmc.animated
Eugene, also known as DMC, is a Tokyo-based 3D artist and graphic designer who draws heavily from Y2K and PlayStation-2 era nostalgia. His vision reimagines early-2000s pop culture through a modern lens, blending futurism with retro charm.
Using tools like Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, he builds stylized characters and mixed-media scenes that radiate sleek, digital energy. His Tokyo Vibes Vol. 8 work delivers a polished, contemporary interpretation of early-internet aesthetics.
LAMORA — @lamoradulac
Lamora crafts a haunting imaginative universe—an eerie “dead world” inhabited by children, small kingdoms, and mythic battles against fairies, angels, and even each other. His art explores innocence, chaos, and the raw edges of childhood fantasy.
Through paintings, sketches, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, and handwritten notes, he presents a multi-media narrative that feels improvised yet deeply emotional. The result is a world that is violent, poetic, childlike, and strangely beautiful.
Teg — @19__9t5
Bristol-born artist Teg works across watercolor, graphite, gold leaf, acrylic, digital media, and film photography. Influenced by Alphonse Mucha, Yoshitaka Amano, and his own evolving artistic roots, his work merges elegance with experimentation.
Whether creating delicate watercolors or photography-painting hybrids, Teg brings movement and storytelling into every piece. He is also known for live nigao-e portrait sketching, capturing people with spontaneity and charm during events.
Ali W. — @fruitsbasketfostersfundraising
Ali W. is an upcycling artist based in Chiba who transforms discarded materials—recycled glass, plastic, and aluminum—into bright, whimsical jewelry and charms. Her pieces are inspired by rescue animals, reflecting her deep connection to animal welfare.
Each item is handcrafted and contributes directly to Kawakuji Animal Rescue, a foster-based organization she supports. Her work celebrates the idea that beauty can emerge from what is often overlooked, and that art can play a meaningful role in saving lives.
L’Atelier d’AR — @latelier_dar
Amandine, the French printmaker behind L’Atelier d’AR, has been living in Tokyo for a year, documenting her daily life through small hand-carved linocut stamps. Her practice reflects a fascination with intimacy and the fleeting poetry of everyday moments.
Her ongoing project, “Tampon du jour – Japan in 365 stamps,” features one handmade stamp per day—a visual diary of sights, tastes, emotions, and experiences across Japan. Through these delicately carved impressions, she invites viewers to see the world as she does: mindful, curious, and deeply observant.
Michi — @michi_takes_pics
Born in South Africa and now based in Japan for over eight years, Michi began her photography journey with her father, a retired wedding photographer. Her work reflects a calm curiosity, capturing quiet moments that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
Working with both film and digital formats, she focuses on nature and still life. For Tokyo Vibes Vol. 8, her collection highlights scenes from Kenya—inviting viewers to pause, slow down, and experience beauty in stillness. She is also a proud member of the Tokyo Vibes team.
Shaheen — @shaheen.tipsyart
Shaheen (they/them) is an artist inspired by East Asian, Persian, and Silk Road mythologies, using these cultural threads to explore identity, queerness, and personal transformation. Mythical creatures—especially dragons—serve as symbols of change and self-discovery in their storytelling.
Their practice spans papercutting, pen drawing, digital art, photography, and genderless accessories crafted from washi paper. They also upcycle vintage kimono with hand-painted motifs and revived scripts, turning forgotten traditions into a renewed artistic language.
Vivat Veritas — @vivatveritas
Vivat Veritas is a designer who transforms vintage Japanese kimonos into contemporary fashion pieces that honor tradition while pushing creative boundaries. Her work blends cultural heritage with sustainable practice, giving forgotten textiles new life.
Through elegant silhouettes such as bustiers, crop tops, skirts, and sets, she highlights the richness of kimono silk and the beauty of handcrafted design. Each piece reflects her commitment to eco-conscious fashion and modern femininity.
