We collaborate with not only photographers and writers, but also artists and designers to help put together a publication that speaks from our community. LNF MAG Artist Series is our own way to support the community that supports us. We believe it takes great bravery to “lose yourself” in your passion, when the rewards aren’t there, when you’re feeling all alone and wondering why the heck am I doing this, but you keep pushing forward anyway. We created this platform for those people who put it all on the line for one thing, getting lost in their passions. In this series, we take a small photographic peek at Chris Miyashiro’s everyday life.
Chris Miyashiro, also known as "Mowgli" was born and raised on the southern shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. The life of Mowgli is filled with creative endeavors such as painting, filmmaking, printmaking, designing, surfing, diving, skateboarding, and oceanic adventures. The purpose of Chris's work is the elevation of Aloha, creative expression, storytelling and the exploration of truth, beauty and goodness.
One of Chris’ main expressions of his artistic visions come in the form of his filmmaking. In Dancing Days of Dawn, his first film, he takes you on a journey in his own mind. You can’t tell dreams from reality and are mesmerized by the beautiful imagery to be seen. More than just beauty, there is a powerful symbolic message about simplicity to possibly reflect upon oneself.
Support and purchase Chris' film via Amazon Prime.
Whistle of Wilderness, his next endeavor in filmmaking is close to completion. See a sneak peek below and follow his instagram for updates.
A part of being an artist, or photographer is the ability to tell your story through a visual representation of the experience. Through Chris’ eyes, his illustrations tell a story that could be interpreted as his own life, or anyone navigating through the darkest nights of their own while offering a light to reach out to.
Written below are the moʻolelos (stories) written by Chris describing the illustrations (below) that come to him from time to time while waiting for the next set, or about to launch his skateboard, or while just taking a siesta...
Moonlight Glide
"It was a cool winter night somewhere in the north pacific as the artist gently paddled his craft into the sea and further away from the region of society. As most of the population began their cycle of sleep, the artists waking dreams had just begun. Clouds floated away as a beam of moonlight illuminated the silver lines on the horizon. With one exhale and a steady paddle, the artist was gliding at top speed in the dark of the night. The feeling was everything. What causes such a strange desire you may ask? It was moments like these that allowed the artist to let go of the pressures of the world, and fall in love again with vulnerability and the gift of nature. Several hours later the world awoke back to their every day work schedule and traffic jams. A wood carving lay engraved with the artist's memory of his experiences. Being alone in the wild is scary, humiliating yet beautiful. The art was a prayer that every individual can find their own glide of freedom in the dark of the night... Perhaps it is a metaphor, perhaps its reality, but if one thing is true, the darkest nights have a light eventually. The artist believes that this light can always help us find that silver lining to help us fly joyfully while the world sleeps."
Past Future
"It was an age before documentation of any kind, an age of pure adventure and exploration. The brave voyagers of the pacific followed their stars to the harmonious land of blessings. It was a paradise untouched by industrialism, where water sprang from the heavens into all that lived. A portal into the origin of life. As the hands of time advanced sevenfold, an artist sat on the cliff edge looking down upon polluted streams and a bustling industry. It was hard to imagine that this was the same place those brave voyagers discovered long ago. He felt lost, unconnected from that portal. Yet as the artist looked up toward the mountain summit, he noticed one lone native plant left standing with a pristine rain drop nestled in its embrace. It was the greatest work of art he had ever seen. The origin of life still lives here... the artist felt it. With the acceptance of ephemerality, the artist carved his interpretation of those voyages and stories of long ago. It was a symbol of hope that others may remember the land, the natives, and the blessings that were found... a place that must be re-found, again and again."
Find and support Chris’ Artist Series collection here.
A portion of all sales from Chris’ designs will go directly to him and all artists in the effort to support their passions, stories, and to be lost, never found.
All photography by Mike Ito and Keoki Saguibo.
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