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Have you ever heard of "Virtual Plein Air"? It is a term used to describe an act of creating art inspired by Google Street Views. Artists literally look for exciting or interesting places they can then use as a source for their illustrations.
In today's article, we want to introduce you to an artist who got fascinated by Japanese houses she saw on Street Views and started painting them. Her name is Angela Hao and she is an illustrator based in the United States. Even though she is far away from Japan, she manages to explore that country by simply using Google Street View. Not even the pandemic can stop her! She draws tiny, Studio Ghibli-like restaurants, shops and cafes that are so charming you might want to visit them. Which of these dreamy art pieces is the cutest?
More info: Instagram | inprnt.com | twitter.com
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Amy Stone-Chandler 4 years ago
They wee often houses converted into the store downstairs and the living quarters above.
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Mafuyu makes me smile 4 years ago (edited)
Is nobody going to talk about how CUTE the girl is- 😍
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Perhaps the more impressionistic ones don't have one...? This one has birds though.
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Judy Windham Saunders 4 years ago
Look in the upper left -most tree, top balcony Kitty's in the tree, just beneath the roof.
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Possibly my favorite so far, and not just for the kitties! If this is wisteria, it could cause damage to the building (I had one that did) but oh so incredibly beautiful in the spring!
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
I adore Japanese bakeries! Incredible variety and delicious when fresh, or even days old!
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Love this one! Kitty on the awning, the gate to the home in the back with a shaded walk - wonderful!
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
My favorite book store painting! Flowering tree, kitty under a blanket for chilly spring, and dog on the sign! LOVE IT:)
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AdelaideRose111 3 years ago
These make me want to move to Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
This looks like an alleyway shop since it has the roll-up security gate for the upstairs apartment. I wish it had a kitty in the upstairs flowerbox;)
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
The shadow layer on this one and sunset coloring really make it stand out!
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Restful morning before opening. LOVE the covered balconies on the sides as well:)
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Great detail, especially the wiring everywhere and the elevated wraparound porch for flooding.
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
Greengrocers and kitty! I really like the sloping upper sign, like so many older shops tend to have:)
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KC Lancaster 4 years ago
So cute! So like the real place: http://baton-group.com/shop-list/cobatopan/
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Samuel Corbett 4 years ago
Such good clean lines for structure and an gorgeous Japanese obscurity. The cat may not always be home but the plants sure possess you.
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Susie Swearingen-Kamachi 4 years ago
Love all of these. Are these living on the top business on the bottom?
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What do you think ?
Aahzmandus Pervect 4 years ago
I have just one complaint, that I can only like each picture once.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
I feel like I've been on a vacation. These are so enchanting. I would like to know in more detail what the businesses are, although some are identified. I'm also curious as to the original photos. I'm sure I'll look at these again.
Aahzmandus Pervect 4 years ago (edited)
On artist's IG page, it says she's inspired by the photos by storefronts.japan on IG, not just by Google StreetView.
SunofSpringtime 4 years ago
These are all so pretty! But the Boredpanda intro states that they're Japanese while some is Chinese/Korean. Pretty houses can be found anywhere, although no doubt Japan has A LOT of it.
Aahzmandus Pervect 4 years ago
I have just one complaint, that I can only like each picture once.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
I feel like I've been on a vacation. These are so enchanting. I would like to know in more detail what the businesses are, although some are identified. I'm also curious as to the original photos. I'm sure I'll look at these again.
Aahzmandus Pervect 4 years ago (edited)
On artist's IG page, it says she's inspired by the photos by storefronts.japan on IG, not just by Google StreetView.
SunofSpringtime 4 years ago
These are all so pretty! But the Boredpanda intro states that they're Japanese while some is Chinese/Korean. Pretty houses can be found anywhere, although no doubt Japan has A LOT of it.
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