Naoko Machida's art collection “The Cat in the Gap

It has been 15 years since her debut work. The first full-fledged book of drawings by the popular picture book artist, Naoko Machida. Naoko Machida is a popular picture book artist of today. She has created a world of depth in her picture books with her detailed depictions and bold compositions. She has released a series of highly acclaimed works, including “Iru no iru no iru no” (“There's no one there”), a ghost story book written in collaboration with Kyogoku Natsuhiko. Machida's motto is “A cat at every opportunity. Even in various stories seemingly unrelated to cats, such as fairy tales and Tono Monogatari (Tales of Tono), if you look closely, you will find that cats appear as supporting characters. In recent years, he has drawn numerous picture books in which cats appear, astonishing viewers with his delicate brushwork. The cats depicted in her picture books, from their fur to their gestures, are precisely rendered, showing her keen eye for observation and compassion for the cats that live with her.

Naoko Machida Born in Tokyo in 1968. Painter and picture book artist. Graduated from Musashino Art University Junior College of Art and Design. Her picture books include “Urashima Marou” (Akane Shobo), “Matchouri no Shojo” (Fure-berukan), and “Aru no iru no iru no” and “Azuki Togi” (both from Iwasaki Shoten), a ghost story book written in collaboration with Kyogoku Natsuhiko. Picture books starring cats include “Nekozume no yoru” (Iwasaki Shoten), “Namae no nai neko” (Komine Shoten), “Neko to neko” (Kogumasha), and “Neko harusuban” (Holp Shuppan). She continues to draw picture books loved by many readers.