I was so sure I’d be accepted — I even offered to do live toddler portraits at the event. But when I got the waitlist email, I sat in that disappointment for a few hours. Then I thought, okay — I’ll go anyway. I’ll walk the fair. I’ll learn.

In this episode, I talk with my artist friend Alexandra — a doula and fine art craftsperson whose work centers around the theme of birth.
We explore what it means to create slowly, name pieces intentionally, and hold space for transformation through art.
As someone who paints toddlers and babies, I found surprising common ground in Alexandra’s birth-inspired practice.
Even though we work differently — she protects her process, I tend to share as I go — we both reflect deeply on why we create.
This episode is for artists walking an intuitive path, or anyone who finds meaning in quiet, thoughtful creation.

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.

Some of us need structure before we can create—others just need to start. So what actually makes a creative routine work? Today, Eli and I dive into the habits and rituals that help us stay creative, overcome resistance, and make space for art in our lives. If you’ve ever felt stuck or wondered why some routines work better than others, this episode is for you.

It’s frustrating—putting so much effort into sharing your art, only to see someone with just a couple of posts skyrocket past you. But does that mean we’re doing it wrong? Or is there another way? Today, I’m breaking down the tension between chasing numbers and chasing art, and how to build a creative path that actually feels right.

“Who wants my signature?" That was my first thought when a client asked if my paintings came signed. I had always admired the signatures of artists like Klimt and Van Gogh but never felt my work deserved that kind of mark. But then I stopped and asked myself—why? Why wasn’t I worthy of a signature? That question sparked a journey, one that had me filling entire sheets of watercolor paper, refining my letters, and finally, stepping into my identity as an artist.

In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Eli to unpack the challenges of 2024 and the creative struggles they revealed. I realize my fear of her stepping away from painting was shaping our conversation, while she simply needed space to heal and reconnect on her terms. We explore creative burnout, balancing spontaneity with intention, and using guiding words for 2025. Listen to Part 1 for more context on Eli’s break from art.

In this vulnerable conversation with my artist friend Eli, we unpack our most challenging moments of 2024: her painful experience with an interior design store exhibition and my social media marketing roadblocks after moving to the US. We discuss how sometimes the art world can deeply wound us, yet these experiences shape our path forward. This episode is for every artist who has felt small in the face of rejection or lost in their creative journey.

In this episode, I share my journey with Instagram art communities—the highs of creative collaborations and the challenges of navigating engagement. From joining Ali Cavani's Patreon group to painting Perchta for a winter-themed project, I explore how these communities can inspire, connect, and sometimes divert your energy. Discover if they might be the right fit for your creative path.

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, I explore the moments when parents open up their worlds to their children, sharing not just spaces and tasks, but meaningful parts of their identities. Through three stories—an artist inviting her children to lay a single brushstroke on a magazine cover, a pilot who secretly brings his child into the cockpit, and my own experiences of being in my mother’s workspace and now with my son in mine—we’ll reflect on why so many parents naturally want their children to feel connected to their work. Is it just about showing them what we do, or is there a deeper purpose, a desire for belonging, pride, and shared legacy? Join me as I unravel these intimate moments and the universal drive to invite our children into our worlds.

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 share my experience of giving away 56 paintings on the streets of Munich as a way to discover what kind of art people truly want. This bold experiment revealed surprising insights about my work, challenged my internal critic, and ultimately helped me reconnect with the joy of painting. Join me as I reflect on the lessons learned from this unique adventure, including the importance of letting go of insecurities and focusing on what brings me joy as an artist.

In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I reflect on the surreal experience of early parenthood, from sleep-deprived nights to the mesmerizing gaze of my newborn. Through a mix of humor and heartfelt stories, I share how my son’s wide-eyed wonder not only deepened our bond but also inspired my artistry in ways I never expected.

In Episode 4 of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I share a surprising moment when my son showed unexpected empathy and how it deepened our bond and inspired my art. I also explore how parenthood and creativity influence each other, inviting you to reflect on your own experiences.