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.

I used to think I needed long, uninterrupted days to make real progress. But what actually worked? Protecting small windows. Giving myself permission to paint in bursts — and honoring that time like it mattered. Because it does.

It hit me when I heard Christian Hook say he painted every day for eight years before even thinking about selling. I realized I’d been focusing on the wrong things — and it was time to come back to the craft itself.

I didn’t realize I was burned out until I stopped painting altogether. I was creating so much content, chasing visibility, and it hit me — I wasn’t actually making art that fed me anymore. That’s when I knew I needed to shift everything.

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 episode, I’m sharing 10 crucial tips for artists just starting with commissions. From pricing to contracts and communication, I’ll walk you through the steps to handle commissions like a pro and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with advice to help you navigate your art business with confidence.

“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.

For me, that shift happened in 2023 when I committed to painting my son every day for 31 days, leading up to his third birthday. By the time the month ended, painting had become a daily ritual. Now, if I don’t paint—even just a little—it feels off, like something is missing. That’s the habit you want to build. Painting as a natural part of your life.

What if the key to better art isn’t technique, but play?

This week, I embraced full experimentation—mixing inks, layering textures, and letting curiosity lead. Inspired by Rick Rubin’s seeds concept, I discovered 45 new colors, unexpected textures, and a painting sparked by the film Flow.

This episode is a reminder: creativity thrives in exploration, not perfection. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s time to stop planning and start playing.

What happens when you finally get to learn from one of your biggest artistic inspirations, and it doesn’t go as planned? In this episode, I reflect on my experience attending Kelogsloops workshop in Munich, how our contrasting styles challenged me, and the unexpected lessons I took away. From redefining composition to blending styles, this journey was more about finding my artistic voice than perfecting techniques.

In this episode, I share the story of attending Agnes Cecil’s workshop in Munich and how it became a turning point in my art journey. From conquering my fear of sketching portraits to embracing the beauty of loose brushstrokes, this experience reshaped how I approach watercolor and creativity. Join me as I reflect on the lessons learned, connections made, and the freedom of trusting the process.

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 #22, I dive into the importance of experimenting with different painting surfaces, sharing my personal journey with various watercolor papers and other surfaces like Yupo, canvas, watercolor ground primed canvas and aquabord. I talk about how each surface affects technique and style, and encourage you to find the one that best suits your creative process. 

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.

In this reflective episode, I share my journey from the word Emerge in 2024 to Mission for 2025. From setting creative goals inspired by Laura Horn's podcast to building a podcast, YouTube channel, and a thriving art practice, I celebrate milestones and explore the power of a mission to guide my next steps as an artist and parent. What will your word for the year be?

In this episode, we explore what it means to be an artist and the journey of owning that title. Inspired by my own experiences and the story of a close friend, we dive into questions around identity, self-worth, and the desire for validation. I share insights on the distinction between “artist” and “professional artist,” as well as the armor we sometimes wear to feel secure in our creativity.

In this episode, I share my journey of how I first started making money with my art back in April 2023. From my first commissioned work with mothers in a Singapore-based WhatsApp community, to my first Etsy sale, and even launching a Kickstarter campaign, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned about pricing, communicating with clients, and building a brand.

I also talk about how I’m now rebuilding my art business from scratch in the U.S. after moving and how I’m using my podcast, YouTube, and Instagram to build a new community. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m learning, and I want to encourage others who are also struggling to build their creative careers.

In this episode, I’m opening up and sharing more about who I am, my artistic journey, and why I decided to start this podcast. From my background in Japan, Germany, and now Washington, I reflect on how these places shaped me as both a parent and an artist. I also talk about the struggles I face as a creative, like the inner critic that often challenges me, and the joys that come with balancing art and motherhood. Join me as I share the story behind this podcast and the moments that inspired me to step into this new creative space.

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.