Given the chance, Bored Panda reached out to the artist with some questions! When asked what inspires the themes and settings for these magical landscapes where giant cats reign, the artist said, "There was a Japanese illustrator named Monokubo, known for his healing artworks featuring giant animals. I deeply admire his work—his warm style brought happiness to so many people. Sadly, he passed away in 2022, which was a great shock to me. Although he healed countless people through his art, he neglected to care for himself. Inspired by his philosophy, I aim to continue creating works that bring joy and warmth, especially during moments when people need it the most."
Reflecting on how they hope people feel when encountering these large-scale feline worlds, xiang_0718 explained to us, "I hope viewers feel like this world truly exists and that it offers them solace during difficult times."
As for why their Instagram has gathered such a significant following, the artist attributed it to the blend of the familiar and the fantastical, saying, "I believe it’s the warm and healing approach to my creations. While many artists use cats as their subject, portraying them as giant cats or transforming them into desserts and culinary creations—especially through fun, process-focused videos—is relatively uncommon. Honestly, I didn’t expect my work to gain so much love when I started; I simply followed my own creative preferences. I’m incredibly grateful to all my fans!"
When it came to explaining the process of creating these enchanting scenes where giant cats interact with humans, the artist shared with Bored Panda, "I often imagine myself living in a world of giant cats. For example, there’s one piece featuring a Loch Ness monster cat, which I find particularly fun. I frequently observe cats’ tails, noticing how their movements resemble another creature. That made me wonder: if a giant cat were swimming in a lake while I rowed nearby, what might its tail be mistaken for? This thought sparked the idea, and the scene came to life in my mind!"
Finally, discussing their newest project of turning cats into dessert-themed art, xiang_0718 revealed how that idea came about and the reaction it received, "One day, while browsing cat pictures, I stumbled upon an orange tabby whose patterns reminded me of salmon sushi. Suddenly, I felt hungry and thought, ‘How fun would it be to turn this cat into a piece of salmon sushi!’ But I didn’t want to simply create an image; I wanted to combine the idea with the process of making food in a fun and engaging way. That’s how the first ‘culinary cat’ was born! They absolutely loved it! They found the creations adorable and healing, and the unique presentation of the process made it even more special. Many eagerly anticipate what new ‘cat cuisine’ I’ll come up with next, which has fueled my passion for creating even more!"
