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 #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, 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.

Imagine 5 days of JUST PAINTING—learning and rediscovering creativity with Aine Divine. Set in the inspiring Willow Room at Cockenzie House in Edingburgh, this summer school new ways of approaching watercolor, from embracing bold brushstrokes to painting live models. I’ll share the challenges, breakthroughs, and what I will be taking with me forward from this unforgettable experience. Don’t miss my explanation of Aine’s unique teaching style and what it means to truly let go and let intuitive creativity guide you!

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 Episode 14 of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I’m  joined by myfriend and fellow artist, Eli, who she met through an Agnes Cecil watercolor workshop. Together, we discuss concept of artistic style—how it evolves, how to define it, and why it's more about exploration and experimentation than finding a set formula. Eli shares her thoughts on style being a natural yet practiced outcome and why continual experimentation is key to discovering what resonates. We discuss the different styles of well-known artists and how they too went through their own processes of finding and evolving their style.

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.

In today's episode, I share the joyful yet challenging experience of doing origami with my three-year-old son. While waiting for our belongings to arrive from Munich, we bonded over folding delicate paper vehicles. This experience sparked not only joy but also valuable lessons about patience and the importance of pushing through artistic challenges. As I navigated the frustrations of origami, I reflected on how similar challenges appear in my artistic journey. Tune in to explore how persistence, balance, and enjoyment shape our creativity.

In the latest episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I dive deep into the delicate balance of navigating life’s changes as both an artist and a parent. My recent move from Munich to Washington has opened my eyes to the emotional complexities we face when switching between our creative and administrative selves. I discuss practical strategies that have helped me ease these transitions, allowing my creativity to flourish even amidst the chaos of daily life.

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.

What if today was the last time you biked through your favorite street, painted in your cozy home studio, or shared a laugh with a close friend? Would you notice the beauty youI’d been missing? In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I’m diving into how ‘noticing’ the small, everyday moments transforms not just my creativity, but my experience of life. Inspired by my move from Germany to Washington, I’ll share how this 'last time' mentality has helped me appreciate the beauty of the world around me and bring it into my art. Join me as I talk through how this mindset can help you fuel your creativity too.

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 of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I dive into the challenges of balancing motherhood with my personal creativity. I share a personal story that highlights the guilt I often feel when pursuing my artistic passions. Drawing on research, I reveal how taking time for my creative outlets is essential not only for my well-being but also for my family’s happiness. Join me as I explore how to embrace my creativity without guilt and become a more fulfilled parent.