80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings

This man creates breathtaking paintings using Microsoft Excel only.
Derya Ozdemir

There is no one way to create art, which is why it can be such a unifying experience that highlights the individual differences among us.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

Japan's 80-year-old Tatsuo Horiuchi is one such individual whose paintings depict the beauty of the landscapes of Japan and its rich cultural and natural heritage; however, his work is especially special for one unique reason.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi/Great Big Story

Horiuchi makes his art not by using pens, pencils, or canvas, but by painting on, surprisingly, Microsoft Excel.

SEE ALSO: TOP 49 OF THE BEST EXCEL SHORTCUTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Horiuchi's Excel journey started about twenty years ago when he was due to retire. On the hunt for a new hobby, he wanted to pursue a hobby that didn't require him to buy expensive supplies or software, which is why he started painting on his computer using Excel.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

While he had never used the software, he was able to master the Excel painting technique in no time.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi/Great Big Story

Six years after starting his Excel art journey, he even won the Autoshape Art Contest in 2006.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

His artwork consists of delicate and harmonious mixtures that exhibit the gorgeous landscapes that are often mirrored in traditional Japanese paintings.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

Some of his paintings have even been acquired by the local Gunma Museum of Art.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

If you're skeptical about whether he actually created his paintings on Excel, you can check out the raw Excel files here.

80-Year-Old Japanese Man Uses Excel to Create Dazzling Paintings
Source: Tatsuo Horiuchi

If Horiuchi’s art captured you in a sense, you can order his paintings on his website.