ART > Personal artwork > ICONOCLASTIC

Iconoclastic: My Early Japanese-Inspired Portraits

 
 

Iconoclastic 2016 | Japanese-Inspired Illustration & A Calming Aesthetic

The Iconoclastic series tells the origin story. These illustrations, created in my spare time back in 2016 while I was working a marketing job, quickly gained popularity and ultimately inspired me to go independent and establish Natalie Ex Studio.

The series draws on 1990s pop culture memories, capturing nostalgia in bold yet playful ways.

My illustration style sits between hand-drawn and digital; people and objects are reduced to the essential lines, carefully considered and composed. Inspired by Japanese illustration and Zen aesthetics, my artwork is designed to provide calm in a cluttered world.

For more on my exploration of Japanese art and design, visit my Japanese Design Blog, where I share inspiration, processes, and contemporary interpretations of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Black and white portrait illustration of Gwen Stefani by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Mathilda character portrait from Léon The Professional by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
No-Face character from Spirited Away illustrated by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Minimalist line drawing of a gameboy
Hand-drawn Björk portrait illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Debbie Harry Blondie portrait artwork by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Sonic Youth T-shirt artwork illustrated by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Pikachu with Gameboy Nintendo illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Black and white Left Eye portrait drawing by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
FKA Twigs portrait illustration in black ink by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Rachel character from Blade Runner portrait illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Aaliyah black and white portrait drawing by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Black and white Stüssy T-shirt illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Chloë Sevigny black and white portrait illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Tupac portrait illustration in black and white by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Lady Gaga black hat portrait illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Sade illustrated black and white portrait by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Hand-drawn Furby illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Band T-shirt artwork illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Drawing of Nokia 3310 mobile phone by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Winona Ryder illustrated portrait by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Milhouse from The Simpsons hand-drawn illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex
Leon the Professional plant illustration by Japanese illustrator Natalie Ex