That expression on his face—that puzzled, dreamy look—was the same one I saw in the photo, the same one I saw when the other child fell. In that moment, I knew: this painting had to be about him. About us. Because we’re not just growing side by side. We’re growing together.

In this heartfelt episode, I reflect on my emotional journey back to Japan to say my final farewell to my grand aunt. The decision to fly back to Japan or not was a struggle for me since it meant taking my 3 year old with me, having to pause everything and financially. But there was few key things that happened that made me make a decision. 

In this episode, Aine Divine shares her insights on the creative process, focusing on how art can be cathartic and transformative. She discusses how following sparks of inspiration, surrendering to creative blocks, and fully occupying your body with movement all play a crucial role in producing meaningful work. Aine also explores the importance of listening to your inner voice, grounding yourself, and embracing the natural flow of creativity. Tune in for a deeper understanding of connecting with your art and body during the creative journey.

In this episode, I open up about the challenges of rebuilding my online presence after relocating to Washington. I share how frustrating it was to face technical problems and how an encounter with a mourning bird unexpectedly helped me understand that sometimes, we need time to process and let go. In those vulnerable moments, I discovered that it's okay to start over. Painting became my therapeutic outlet, allowing me to heal and reconnect with my creativity. This episode is a reminder that healing and moving forward are personal processes, and it's okay to take things one step at a time.

Opening up about something personal, like my past suicidal thoughts, is never easy. But when I did, my friend responded in a way I didn’t expect—with a practical tool to help in moments of emotional overwhelm: spicy candy. Her advice reminded me how vulnerability can lead to the most unexpected forms of support. It’s in these moments that we realize the strength in letting others in.

In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I reflect on how my childhood fears shaped the way I parented my son and how painting helped me uncover these emotions. Through a specific artwork titled Womb, I realized my son is more capable than I initially believed, and this journey taught me the balance between protecting him and giving him the space to grow.

I also explore how our art can reflect deep emotions we may not even be aware of. Tune in for insights on both parenting and the creative process!

In this episode, I explore the urgency of creating when inspiration strikes and reflect on whether great art must come from pain or if joy and beauty hold equal power. I share the story behind a painting inspired by a friend's heartbreaking experience and discuss creating from raw emotion.

In this episode, How Can I Protect You? Exploring Parenthood's Challenging Feelings, I reflect on the bittersweet emotions of parenthood and how creative expression helps me navigate them. Join me as I explore how challenges deepen our appreciation for joy, and ask yourself: How do the struggles in your life help you see its joyful moments?

In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I share my journey of overcoming a two-week creative block, offering practical strategies like embracing playfulness and revisiting what I love. I also discuss insights from artists and reference two books that helped me through: Get Unstuck: Creative Block Discover Ideas by Danielle Krysa and The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.