Move over dogs! Cats are a man’s best friend in Gomatsu’s illustrations

Using a mix of iPad and pencils, Gomatsu’s grainy illustrations show felines at their most loveable, silly and loyal.

Date
25 January 2023

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While cats are often pitted against the dog – “man’s best friend” – as the less friendly, less reliable furry companion, those who have a feline friend know this to be slander. Owner of two cats and passionate drawer of the four legged creatures, Gomatsu, knows as much. In his charming illustrations, he uses felines as a way to express “the joys and sorrows of life in a humorous way”. Throwing their owner a birthday party, hiding in a cupboard, or even having a soak in the hot tub, Gomatu’s cats are a reminder of life’s lighter (and sillier) moments. "It’s good to learn innocence from a fool,” he adds.

Prior to becoming an illustrator, Gomatsu had what he describe as an “ordinary” office job, and drawing was simply a hobby. It was after wanting to do something “more worthwhile and fun in life” that Gomatsu then decided to turn his love of drawing cats into a profession. Now, he illustrates for publications, completes commissions and even makes and sells his own merchandise. Looking to the future, Gomatsu has plans to publish a book full of his work. In the meantime, however, he is going to continue drawing his beloved cats.

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Gomatsu: Happy bathhouse (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2023)

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Gomatsu: Peeking (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: Happiness is waiting for you (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: Ryokan Oasis (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: HaHaHa Fuck you (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Goatsu: Sometimes it's okay to live a rough life (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Goatsu: Sometimes it's okay to live a rough life (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: Doing the dishes (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: How to create a pixel cat (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: Good Morning (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: Teatime interrupter (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Yamayo Yamayo (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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(Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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Gomatsu: So life goes on (Copyright © Gomatsu, 2022)

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About the Author

Olivia Hingley

Olivia (she/her) joined the It’s Nice That team as an editorial assistant in November 2021 and soon became staff writer. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in English literature and history, she’s particularly interested in photography, publications and type design.

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