Sand Artist Naoshi Creates Edible Dreams

The artist known as Naoshi has mastered the Japanese art of sunae, creating detailed images with colored sand. Working from her studio in Alhambra, she assembles vibrant scenes often featuring whimsical characters in fashion-forward, food-themed attire. These characters might be a girl with a scoop for a head or a warrior in a burger skirt.

Naoshi's inspiration stems from a childhood experience with a sunae kit. This memory led her to begin designing and selling her own DIY sand art kits in 2004, aiming to provide a memorable artistic experience for others. The complexity of these kits varies, catering to artists of all skill levels.

Originally from Japan, Naoshi moved to Southern California in 2014 after a visit in 2010 inspired her artistic aspirations. She found inspiration in Los Angeles's sunny weather and colorful environment, contrasting it with Japan's more subdued palette. Despite cultural and linguistic challenges, she established herself in the L.A. art scene.

Creating sunae requires precision, as misplaced sand is difficult to correct, often necessitating starting over. Naoshi's process involves attaching a sketch to an adhesive backing, cutting it out, and carefully sprinkling sand onto specific areas. She finds the meditative focus required for sand art rewarding, despite its challenging nature.