joe randel's art dump

Today I discovered a truly amazing artist.  His name is Kotobuki Shirou and the story of how he got to be an artist is truly inspiring.  Over 15 years ago he was in an accident that left him a quadriplegic which only allows him movement from the neck up.  As part of his rehabilitation, the doctors insisted that he take up drawing.  From the stories I’ve gathered, this is common and the doctors won’t take “no” for an answer. 

Kotobuki Shirou told the doctor that he refused to draw, or at least if he had to draw it would only be of pretty women.  The next day the doctor came back with a Playboy magazine for him to use as reference.  He soon began drawing pin-up art with a wacom pen attached to a stick that he holds in his mouth.

In fact, Kotobuki Shirou became so good at doing pin-up art that he landed himself as a concept artist and designer for PS2/Xbox game, Rumble Roses.  I say “became so good” because before his accident Kotobuki Shirou didn’t draw.  He only became an artist after his accident!  Here’s a video of him doing his work (it’s in Japanese)

So many of us give up or don’t even bother to try things in life.  We feel we don’t have the skills required and leave it at that.  He didn’t, and after seeing this, I feel that I can never say “I can’t” ever again.  He pushed forward and succeeded with his goals and didn’t let anything stop him.  The next time I feel frustrated with my art, or anything at all really, I need to remember Kotobuki Shirou… and his pin ups, because they are damn cute. ^_^