Pixel artist, designer, DJ and track maker Motocross Saito creates memorable GIF animations in a retro style, channeling '80s and '90s culture and music, with a focus on hip hop. Although he has been introduced internationally as the "loneliness GIF" artist, as Motocross Saito explains in this interview with CNN Japan, what he is really aiming for in his animated GIF pixel art is to "express a feeling that can soothe your mind, create a calming effect."

Many of his animated GIF scenes feature a common character, perhaps his alter ego, a school girl with blue hair who seems to like hip hop, flips through LPs at record shops, makes music and DJs in her home studio surrounded by all kinds of electronic music equipment, and apparently lives with her pet German shepherd.

His design work is often featured in magazines in Japan and he also contributes to international projects. For example, he is designing the background art for the indie video game 198X, now on Kickstarter.

Motocross Saito has graciously given us permission to post some of his work here.

Alone in the City

Rainy Days

Musical Pursuits

Enjoying Nature

(Static) Pixel Art

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Links

If you'd like to keep track of Motocross Saito's creative activities, check out these links:

• Twitter
• Tumblr
• Pixiv
• Soundtrack - DJ Issy