Chely (AmongMasks)

I love meeting Trainers from all over the world during these live events, but every once in a while you encounter one that really makes an impact and touches your soul. I got emotional today meeting Trainer AmongMasks (@AmongMasks) from California today. She hand made this Pokélid mirror based off of the real lid of Umbreon in Japan for me and brought it all the way from California. My son laughed at me on the way back to the apartment…I literally was crying y’all! This really made my entire trip and AmongMasks was very thoughtful and kind to take the time to do something like this. To say the least, I am humbled and overwhelmed by the kindness shown. Thank you so very much @AmongMasks! This is going on my wall next to @KiwiGenPoke’s artwork! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Today’s Daily pick is from Trainer AmongMasks (@AmongMasks) in California, 🇺🇸! This postcard showcases graffiti art in Los Angeles. It depicts an Egyptian-themed cosmic scene, featuring a silhouetted figure (likely a pharaoh or Egyptian deity) holding a staff, standing before large stylized pyramids. A glowing, red-rimmed planet dominates the upper right corner, typical of the "space art" genre.  The mural aligns with the ancient Egyptian belief that the afterlife involved an ascent to the heavens or the stars. They often viewed the Milky Way as a celestial counterpart to the Nile River, a path souls navigated after death. The central silhouette can be interpreted as the Sheut (shadow), which the Egyptians believed was a vital part of the soul that accompanied the deceased into the afterlife. An Ankh or symbol of life (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh) can be seen in the silhouette’s right hand. The glowing, red-rimmed planet or sun in the upper right may represent the Solar Disk, a symbol of the sun god Ra (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra) and the cycle of rebirth. Ancient Egyptians believed the deceased would join Ra on his daily journey across the sky to be reborn each morning. The pyramids serve as symbols of transformation and gateways to the divine realm, intended to protect and guide the soul for eternity.  While it uses modern graffiti techniques, the mural captures the essence of the Egyptian "Book of the Dead” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_o…), which provided a "map" for the soul's perilous journey through the underworld (Duat) toward an eternal paradise.  The piece is a form of spray paint art (also known as aerosol art), which often features sci-fi and cosmic themes, such as planets, stars, and landscapes. It was created by the Los Angeles artist Nuke (b-lightproductions.com/talen…). Artists like Nuke often use specialized spray painting techniques to create these vibrant, otherworldly scenes, often performing them as live street art or sharing them through online tutorials. ⭐️ for an excellent PAULkia sticker selection! A space distorting Pokémon!

Today’s Daily pick is from Trainer AmongMasks (@AmongMasks) in California, 🇺🇸! This postcard showcases a large mural in Oakland. The mural is based on the life of Yu Gwan Sun (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Gwa…), a Korean folk hero and a relative of the artist. The artwork is titled "Han", a complex Korean concept that suggests deep-seated sorrow or resentment, often coupled with a sense of resilience or hope. The crane is a traditional Korean symbol of longevity and good fortune. It was painted as part of the BAMFest in May 2018. The image is a piece of public art that blends traditional Korean motifs with contemporary sensibilities to convey nuances of the Korean diaspora.  The mural is by artist Dave Young Kim (theurbaneartist.com/artists/…). Dave Young Kim (instagram.com/daveyoungkim?i…) is a Korean American artist known for large-scale narrative works that engage with community histories and themes of identity and belonging. I found this short article about the inspiration for this mural (oaklanddailyphoto.blogspot.c…). ⭐️ for a wonderful sticker match!