art by ESTELLE CRUZ
bkk UNZINE art magazine aims to showcase the talents of artists and to bring creativity and community to audiences around the world.
March of the Furries…
bkk UNZINE and UNZINE 95 are going full steam in 2025, and this month stay tuned for exciting announcements about the fourth(!) BKK Comics Art Festival, once again slated for the BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Centre) this coming October. As always, we’ll have plenty of activities leading up to the big event, as well as our regular programming at UNZINE 95.
Thanks so much to the artists and guests who made last month’s “PASSION” group exhibition such a success and a special bow of gratitude to Cataleya Estate for graciously hosting us at their spectacular venue.
For this month’s issue, artists interpreted the theme “furry” in many ways, and it’s always been apparent that there are quite a few animal lovers in our group. Scroll down to enjoy!
Next month’s theme is….
Accepting submissions now through March 25th.
This year, we’re announcing all our monthly themes in advance so you’ll have more time to prepare your artwork! Please feel free to submit to any of our themes in advance!
featured artist
FURREY
by ESTELLE CRUZ
colored pencil & India ink
"Pokémon and Biodiversity" is an artistic series that highlights the real-life species that inspired various Pokémon designs.
I chose Pokémon because it’s a franchise that resonates across generations. Almost everyone has grown up with Pokémon in some way—through games, cards, or the anime—so it’s an excellent way to capture people's attention.
This piece, called “Furrey” in English, was done specifically for this March issue of bkk UNZINE and inspired by weasels.
For more, be sure to read our exclusive interview with official bkk UNZINE artist Estelle Cruz about her "Pokémon and Biodiversity" series!
Comic Artist, Researcher in Ecology, Mixed Media Artist
Estelle Cruz is an architect and PhD in ecology from the Museum of Natural History of Paris. She has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Arts and Science departments of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and investigated representations of nature in Thai comics. Estelle is also a member and associate researcher at CEEBIOS, the Center for Studies and Expertise in Biomimicry in Paris, and the MAP-Aria laboratory at ENSAL - École d'Architecture de Lyon, France.
Currently, Estelle is creating a comic sciences book as an artist and researcher in ecology. This comic book is realized in collaboration with Université Paris Cité and the laboratory LEM - UMR 7591 and addresses the challenges of ecological research in Southeast Asia. Fifty percent of her artistic income is dedicated to supporting biodiversity conservation in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
BAD NEWS BEAR
by ROBIN WESSBERG
acrylic on paper
This bear is tired of being called cute.
Painter
Robin Wessberg describes himself as a “washed up skater from Los Angeles who’s been living, painting, and raising two wild little boys and two scruffy dogs in Bangkok since 2005.”
CHRISTIAN WOLVES
by DYNNARO YOU
digital Copics
It’s just Christian wolves… don’t mind the guy and the girl in the middle.
Filmmaker, Story Artist, Doodler
Dynnaro You is a storyboard artist working in animation. Native to both Massachusetts and California, he is currently trying out Thailand and seeing how life in Bangkok is like.
Dynnaro loves old anime, rock climbing, and Kaya butter toast.
THIS DOG IS NOT DEAD
by CARLA VISSER
Chinese ink
I asked for photos of my family's elderly Jack Russell Terrier as inspiration for this month’s art theme: Furry. I drew this sketch in my pocket sketchbook and was so carried away by the linework that I didn’t notice how the form of the sleeping family dog had changed. Halfway through my work, a colleague asked if the dog was dead. At first, I was stunned by that piece of constructive criticism, doubting my drawing skills and artistic execution, especially since I hadn’t drawn in a while. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate it in a more humorous way. That is a vivid memory and a lesson that will not fade anytime soon.
Illustrator
Carla Visser, a graduate of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, primarily creates detailed line drawings with traditional dip pens, brush pens, glas dip pens and fine liners. She predominantly works in achromatic tones but will occasionally dabble here and there with small splashes of color. She believes that well-exectuted black-and-white drawings can effectively substitute for color, evoke emotions and tell a story.
CAT PORTRAIT
by VERA TROITSYNA
colored pencil on origami paper
I love how this cat’s unusually small eyes give it such a quirky personality. There’s something charming about animals that look a little offbeat, and I enjoy capturing that playfulness in my art. I drew this cat simply because I love silly-looking cats—and I love illustrating characters that bring a sense of fun and oddity. To me, unique and distinctive features make a character more memorable, and this little cat, with its tiny eyes and peculiar expression, is no exception.
Illustrator, Mixed Media Artist
Vera is a self-taught multimedia artist who has honed her craft through years of dedicated daily practice. She specializes primarily in human portraits but also explores animal subjects and other themes.
Her work is characterized by a deep exploration of texture, color, and form, using a wide range of materials—including oil-based color pencils, one of her favorites.
REALITY NIGHTMARE
by PEONYY
digital painting
A girl chased by monsters that have many legs and with sharp teeth. No matter how fast she moves, they are always behind her, ready to tear her apart.
She wakes up, gasping for air. But the nightmare doesn’t end.
The monsters are real—uniformed, armed, and lurking in the streets.
There is no escape. In sleep, she is hunted. In waking life, she is trapped.
Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Digital Artist
An illustrator and graphic designer with years of experience in the creative industry, Peonyy is passionate about storytelling through art; her work blends emotion with a vivid palette. She has worked on diverse projects from website illustration, concept art, storyboarding, comics, branding and digital art. Driven by a deep love for visual expression, Peonyy continues to push creative boundaries, crafting artwork that resonates with audiences and leaves a lasting impression.
FELINE WORLD
by NUTTARAT PUNJAWILAIPIBOON
photography & graphic collage
I am a cat person and love watching cats' gestures and habits because they give me fluffy and tender vibes due to their cuteness (their voice, eyes, whiskers and smooth fur). While many people think of cats as mascots, sometimes they compare cats to deities. Thus, I imagine the world where the cat is a GOD.
Photographer, Concept Artist, Writer
Nuttarat Punjawilaipiboon, nicknamed “Lee,” graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts and has experience in writing news, advertorials and content for various media.
She has also studied acting and screenwriting class. Lee is highly interested in photography because she used to be a member of the photography club when she was a high schooler. Recently, her photo works have been exhibited in the Project Asian Art Century 2025, Chiang Mai province. Her biggest inspiration for becoming an artist is watching movies. Lee is both a freelance photographer and movie subtitler because she loves going to the cinema and writing about the movies she has watched, especially foreign ones.
WEREWOLF
by SKETCHMAN BORIS
brush pen
I love inking with the brush pen; fur and hair are my favorite things to draw with it. I’ve always loved the black and white “out of context” stickers you see on bar walls, or on electric poles, etc. So for furry I decided to draw one of my favorite creatures, the werewolf, inspired by the design from the movie Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman.
Comic Artist
Boris Aravindabalan, aka “Sketchman Boris,” is the founder of bkk UNZINE art magazine. Growing up in India, Boris discovered his love for drawing and, combined with hours and hours of cartoons and movies, he realized that not only did he just love reading and watching stories, but he also wanted to have the same impact on others as the creators whose work he enjoyed had on him.
POP MART AS MY FURRY CATS
by GEMSTONE
crayons & pen
Mart inspired me to submit my cats as furry versions of the common Pop Mart characters. In this first picture is my cat in England, Kyo, as Hirono, along with Mousse as Switch Panda and also Alan and Dimoo.
crayons & pen
In this second picture for furry are my twin cats: first is Molly as Kaoru (the girl twin), and then there’s Dumpling as Cry Baby and Hikaru as Labubu (the boy twin).
2D Artist
Gemma Smith likes drawing with pencils for most of her work, but she sometimes use pens and paint as well. Drawing is only a hobby for her.
KETTLR SERIES
by PHASUTHORN BAMRUNGPHUEJ
acrylic on canvas
The first painting in the Kettlr series, a Japanese Shiba Inu. He just needs to touch the grass in the deep forest.
acrylic on canvas
The Kettlr Siberian Husky is a lonely dog and likes to walk alone in the snow. The stars in the sky are his friends.
acrylic on canvas
The Kettlr Beagle often walks in the park in the fall. Today, the weather is good, and he feels very happy.
acrylic on canvas
The Kettlr Chihuahua. wearing a pygmy hippo helmet, rides on a robot vacuum. He enjoys life every day!
acrylic on canvas
The Kettlr Dalmatian with Anemone Blendlr are friendly. They’re lost in space and trying to find their way home.
acrylic on canvas
The Kettlr is an American Pit Bull Terrier. He is an angry painter. Today, he has no idea what to paint.
Illustrator, Painter, Digital Artist, Graphic Designer
Phasuthorn Bamrungphuej is an illustration and digital art designer living in Bangkok, Thailand, and the owner of Backpack Sir Sir, Akira Dragonfly, and Kettlr. His journey into painting began with the encouragement of his elementary school art teacher but did not continue through high school. It wasn’t until he pursued a bachelor’s degree in art and a career in graphic design, multimedia, and illustration that he returned to his passion for painting.
MANY CHICKS IN THE GARDEN
by YAKAL ST. MOVING CO.
gouache with post-processing on Affinity Designer
This is a play on the Japanese words for "garden", "two birds," and use of particle (は) which produced a similar sound: "Niwa." I used the opportunity to explore stylistic possibilities with using Hiragana characters and with a brooding cat in the foreground. It's a nice contrast to the chirpy birds.
Photographer, Concept Artist, Writer
Nuttarat Punjawilaipiboon, nicknamed “Lee,” graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts and has experience in writing news, advertorials and content for various media.
She has also studied acting and screenwriting class. Lee is highly interested in photography because she used to be a member of the photography club when she was a high schooler. Recently, her photo works have been exhibited in the Project Asian Art Century 2025, Chiang Mai province. Her biggest inspiration for becoming an artist is watching movies. Lee is both a freelance photographer and movie subtitler because she loves going to the cinema and writing about the movies she has watched, especially foreign ones.
Chartlajam Jewelry interview for the Paris Biennale in Bangkok
Andree Bartoli, assistant organizer of the Paris Biennale in Bangkok, interviews Jam, aka Chartlajam Jewelry, on her journey to become an artist in Thailand and the challenges she has been facing as a woman in Thai society and in the art world.
This interview was shot at River City Bangkok during an event that was part of the Paris Biennale in Bangkok 2025.
Show your art in bkk UNZINE!
next month’s theme is….
Accepting submissions NOW through March 25th