[Bilingual post] Visual Diary 25 – I Am Happy When I`m Covered in Dogs / アメリカ絵日記25 犬に埋まる幸せ

Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

I made these goofy sketches, remembering the night our dogs piled on top of me.

犬に埋まるのは幸せなものです。そんな夜を記録するために緩い絵を描いてみました。

[Bilingual post] Podcast S3: Ep3 What All Artists Can Learn from Michael Jackson /ポッドキャスト S3: Ep3 Michael Jacksonから学ぶアートの鉄則

      Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen! Welcome to the third episode of Season Three of my podcast. It’s lovely to be speaking with you again.

Today, I’d like to talk about one of the most influential figures in music history: Michael Jackson. Even 16 years after his passing, he’s still widely recognised as a legendary entertainer.

So, the question is: Why is his work important from an artistic perspective? And as artists, what can we learn from him? In this episode, I’ll break it down into four key points.

* The thumbnail for this episode is my painting inspired by We Are the World lyrics written by Michael Jackson.

Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

[Bilingual post] Podcast S3: Ep2 Read Adolescence from Visual Art Perspective /ポッドキャスト S3: Ep2 「アドレセンス」を色彩から読み解く

     Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen! Welcome to the second episode of Season Three of my podcast. It’s lovely to speak with you again. Please note that there will be spoilers for the show Adolescence throughout today`s episode.

* The thumbnail for this episode is my painting inspired by the last scene from Adolescence. 

Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on

Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

[Bilingual post] Podcast S3: Ep1 Three Pieces of Art about Death /ポッドキャスト S3: Ep1 「死」をアートはどう捉えるか

    Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen! Welcome to the first episode of Season Three of my podcast. It’s lovely to speak with you again.

The other day, I was searching online for a definition of art. Even though I identify as an artist, it’s difficult to define art because it depends so much on cultural context. One theory presented in an Encyclopaedia Britannica article resonated with me, though. It states, quote unquote, “Artists past and present keep alive for us humankind’s natural potential for beauty and power and help future generations to examine the fundamental mysteries of life and death, which we both fear and desire to know.”

Today, I’d like to talk about three pieces of art that explore these mysteries in profound ways: one painting, one manga, and one piece of literature. I hope you enjoy it!

* The thumbnail for this episode is my study of painting ` Death and the Maiden` (1908) by Marianne Stokes.

Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

[Bilingual post] Visual Diary 24 – I Received an Honourable Mention at the Exhibition Distant Thunder / アメリカ絵日記24 展覧会Distant Thunderにて特別賞を受賞

  Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hi all,

This is Nisreen!

I was so delighted to receive an Honourable Mention at the art exhibition "Distant Thunder", hosted by Artists for Climate Awareness. Thank you so much for selecting my painting, and to the Arts Alliance Centre for sharing such a beautiful space to raise awareness of climate change!

The painting captures the journey of self-reflection and discovering inner peace, intertwined with the serenity of flowing water in nature.

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A post shared by Nisreen's Art World (@nisreensartworld)

こんにちは、ニスリーンです！

Artists for Climate Awareness主催のアート展 "Distant Thunder "でHonourable Mention（特別賞）をいただき、とても嬉しく思っています。Artists for Climate Awarenessgが私の絵を選んでくださったこと、また気候変動への意識を高める展覧会に、このような美しい空間を共有してくださったアーツ・アライアンス・センターに心から感謝します！

この絵は、自分自身を見つめ直し、内なる平和を発見する内省の旅路を、自然の中を流れる水の静けさと重ね合わせて描き出したものです。

[Bilingual post] Visual Diary 23 – Norwescon 2025/ アメリカ絵日記23 Norwescon 2025 の思い出

 

     Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hi all,

This is Nisreen!

The other day, my love Subodhana Wijeyeratne’s sci-fi novel Triangulum was nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Philip K. Dick Award!

こんにちは、ニスリーンです！先日、私の大切な人Subodhana WijeyeratneのSF小説Triangulum が歴史ある文学賞 Philip K. Dick Award候補に選ばれるという嬉しい出来事がありました。

This gave us a great opportunity to attend the nomination ceremony and panel discussions at Norwescon in Seattle.

Though Subo didn’t win, I was so proud to witness him reading his work and connecting with his readers, alongside all the other fantastic nominees!

おかげでシアトルにて開催されたNorwescon というコンヴェンションに招待いただき、受賞発表およびパネルディスカッションに私も一緒に出席する機会に恵まれました。

受賞はなりませんでしたが、素晴らしい他の候補者の方々と並んで堂々と自作を読み上げ、またパネルとしても活躍している彼の姿に私も誇らしい気持ちでした！

What struck me about Norwescon was how family-friendly it was—I saw kids, dogs, people in wheelchairs, gender-nonconforming folks—everyone coming together and sharing their passion for science fiction and fantasy.

In my home country, Japan also has remarkably vibrant “nerd” cultures and communities, such as the Tokyo Comic Market I once had a peek at, but I always get the impression that their primary targets are loner adults, not families.

Norwescon 全体で印象に残ったのは家族連れに優しく開放的な雰囲気です。小さな子達、犬連れ、性別表現が色々な方々、車椅子の方など幅広い方々がSFやファンタジーへの情熱を分かち合うようにして集われていました。

母国日本も多種「オタク」「ファン」文化に関して非常に熱い国ですし、私も東京コミックマーケットはいちど覗いたことがありますが、知る限り日本においてのそれはちょっとアングラな大人の楽しみとしての側面がより大きいような気がします。そのためこの家族連れ大歓迎な環境は新鮮に映りました。

It was also lovely to be warmly welcomed as my big nerd’s plus-one by the community, and to see him glowing as he nerded out during the discussions too!

ディスカッションでは、Suboが歴史オタクぶりを発揮して輝いているところを見ることができ、コミュニティの仲間として私まで暖かく迎え入れていただいてとても楽しい経験になりました！

 I did this sketch in my hotel room!

これは私がホテルの部屋で描いたスケッチです。

Love,

Nisreen.

[Bilingual post] Visual Diary 22 – I Had a Blast at Habibi Dancers’ 41st Annual Spring Workshop & Concert / アメリカ絵日記22 楽しかったHabibi Dancers 春のイベント

     Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello  this is Nisreen, how are you?

On April 12–13, 2025, I had the great opportunity to attend all three workshops led by the London-based Turkish star Mr. Özgen at the Habibi Dancers’ 41st Annual Spring Event. I also had the joy of performing a Turkish pop duet with my dear dance friend and Troupe Oasis director, Deborah Kull.

こんにちは、ニスリーンです！皆さんお元気ですか？

2025年4月12日から13日にかけて、ハビビ・ダンサーズの第41回目春のイベントで、ロンドンを拠点に活躍するトルコのスター、Mr. Ozgenが指導する3つのワークショップすべてに参加するというとても贅沢な週末を過ごしました。

また、私の親愛なるダンス仲間であり、Troupe OasisのディレクターであるDeborah Kullさんと二人でターキッシュ・ポップの演目を披露する機会に恵まれました！

I originally learned the choreography Kadehinde Zehir Olsa from another wonderful Turkish teacher, Serkan, in Tokyo about five years ago, and performed it with my dance mate Farhana in Yokohama. It was wonderful to revisit and improve my performance this time around, and such fun to share and practise it with Deborah.

Kadehinde Zehir Olsa という曲の振付は、5年ほど前に東京でもう一人の素晴らしいトルコ人ダンサーSerkan氏から習い、横浜でダンス仲間のFarhanaさんとパフォーマンスした思い出の振付です。

今回、あらためてこの素敵な振付を練習し直し、以前よりも技術的に向上したと思えて良かったです。また、Deborahさんに振付を共有し、一緒に磨いていくのも本当に楽しい時間でした。

With Deborah 

Although I have taken online classes with Mr. Özgen before, this was my first time meeting and learning from him in person. His dance style is like a kaleidoscope – graceful yet energetic, masculine yet feminine, classic yet creative – a beautiful diversity embodied in one person. His arm movements, especially, were even more mesmerising in real life.

As I danced in the same room with him, I found myself reflecting on the meditative aspect of dance. As a serious dancer, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of categorising everything in a cut-and-dried way, but the free energy he brought to both the studio and stage reminded me that dance can liberate both body and spirit in a way that transcends borders or labels.

Mr. Ozgenのオンラインレッスンを受けたことは以前にもありましたが、実際にお会いして学ぶのは今回が初めてでした。

彼の踊りのスタイルは優雅でありながら力強く、男性的でありながら女性的、古典的でありながら独創的、と一見矛盾する要素が万華鏡のように共存しているところが本当に魅力的でした。

特に彼の腕の動きは、実際に見ると映像以上に美しかったです。

彼の存在を近くに感じながら、私はダンスの瞑想的な側面について感じ入っていました。

ダンサーは学ぶことに熱心になるに従い、ダンスにおいて何が正しくてそうでないのかを杓子行儀に決めたい誘惑にかられることがあると思うのですが、

クラスと舞台にMr. Ozgenが運び込んだ自由なエナジーの鮮烈さは、国境など様々な垣根を越え身体と精神を解き放す、ダンス本来の可能性を思い出させてくれるものでした。

With Mr. Ozgen and Deborah

I am so grateful to Mr. Özgen for travelling all the way from London, and to the organiser, Garnett Kepler, and the Habibi Dancers for putting together such an amazing event!

はるばるロンドンからアメリカ合衆国までいらっしゃったMr. Ozgen、そしてこのような素晴らしいイベントを企画してくださった主催者のGarnett Keplerさん, Habibi Dancers のみなさんに感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。

The image below is my drawing of Mr. Özgen.

下の画像は私が描いたMr. Ozgenの絵です。

Love,

Nisreen.

[Bilingual post] Podcast S2: Ep20 – How to Appreciate Belly dance Performance - Tanyeli /ポッドキャスト S2: Ep20 ベリーダンスパフォーマンスの読み解き方－Tanyeli

   Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen! Welcome to the 20th episode of Season Two of my podcast! It’s lovely to speak with you again.

The other day, I heard some tragic news: legendary Turkish belly dancer Tanyeli had passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 54. I have been performing and teaching belly dance for years now, and Tanyeli has always been one of my dance icons.

Today, to celebrate the memory of her legacy, I’d like to highlight three aspects of her style that made her stage presence so unique. I hope this will help a broader audience appreciate her artistry, beyond just the belly dance community.

The thumbnail of this episode is my pen drawing of Tanyeli. Please find the episode below.

The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

ベリーダンスってハーレムで王様を誘惑するために踊られていた踊りなんでしょ？

こんにちは！オリエンタルを日々是研究、ベリーダンサー、Nisreen(ニスリーン）です。

今回のよく訊かれることシリーズは「ベリーダンスってハーレムで王様を誘惑するために踊られていた踊りなんでしょ？」です。

こんなイメージでしょうか？ヨーロッパの東洋趣味（オリエンタリスト）の画家による作品です。確かに魅惑的なイメージですね。

Painted by Jean Leon Gerome

Painted by Otto Pilny

タイムマシンがない限り、過去のことはいつも私たちの想像をかきたてます。
でもこの推論については、残念ですが明らかに「ハズレ」だと思います。

[Bilingual post] Podcast S2: Ep19 – Why Artists Should Read Buddenbrooks /ポッドキャスト S2: Ep19 – アーティストの必読書「ブッデンブローク家の人びと」

  Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen. Welcome to the 19th episode of Season Two of my podcast! It’s lovely to speak with you again.

The other day, I finally finished reading Buddenbrooks! This 1901 novel by the German writer Thomas Mann follows the decline of a wealthy North German merchant family over four generations, from 1835 to 1877. 

The story is incredibly rich, layered with social commentary and beautiful visual storytelling. In today’s episode, I’d like to share three reasons why this classic family drama remains highly relevant today—especially for artists. No spoilers, and I hope you enjoy it!

The thumbnail of this episode is my oil pastel piece about the story. Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

[Bilingual post] Visual Diary 21- INBC Annual Bazaar Success! / アメリカ絵日記21「大成功INBC Bazaar」

    Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello Nisreen, how are you? It looks like spring is finally around the corner!

On Saturday March 1st, 2025, we held the INBC Annual Bazaar in Indianapolis. This was the first bazaar since I became the PR officer last October.

こんにちは、ニスリーンです！皆さんお元気ですか？ようやく春の気配が見えてきましたね。

2025年３月１日土曜日にインディアナポリスでINBC年次イベントを行いました。私がPR役員になってから初のバザールでした！

At first, I was a little nervous about the lower engagement and bookings in the event ads, to be honest. However, in the end, the event turned out to be a great success, with many participants and a fantastic audience for the gala show.

More than anything, it was incredibly rewarding to see people connect and support each other through their love for this beautiful and diverse dance form! All the board members, including our president April, have been nothing but excellent and hardworking.

初めは宣伝をしていても予約や反応が少ないように感じ、実は大分心配していたのですが、結局イベントは成功、大団円でした。沢山のお客様、そしてワークショップ参加者にお越しいただけました。

何より、人々がこの素晴らしく多様なダンスを通じて、心から仲良くなり、協力し合っているのを見ていると、本当に遣り甲斐を感じました。INBCの役員皆、特に代表のAprilさんは本当に一生懸命働いていました。

This year’s workshop lineup was particularly unique, featuring multiple sessions by musicians. Our headliner, Istra, brought her strong theatre background into her teaching, providing warm and insightful guidance to her students. It was wonderful to witness their creativity flourish.

As for me, I ended up stepping in at the last minute to assist a musicality workshop run by musician Andy from a dancer's perspective and also performed a completely improvised piece to his original song, Khamsa, filling a last-minute spot in the gala show.

今年のワークショップの内容はかなり特別で、音楽家による音楽に関するワークショップが複数ありました。また主役ダンサーのIstraさんは舞台経験を活かした独自の手法でワークショップを進めており、参加者が彼女の暖かい指導を通じて自身の創造性を解き放っているのを見るのはとても感動的でした。

私自身は、欠席が出て直前に代打に入ることが2回ありました！１つは音楽家のAndyさんが開催する音楽性ワークショップにてダンサー視点から伝える役のお手伝い、そしてもう１つは彼の作曲したKhamsaという曲で即興でパフォーマンスするというものです。

The video below is my performance to Azisa:

※下は予定していた通りにパフォーマンスしたAzizaです。

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A post shared by Nisreen's Art World (@nisreensartworld)

It was definitely a challenge but such a fun experience! Andy’s workshop was incredibly well-prepared and packed with information—I can't even imagine how he managed to do that alongside all the work he put in as an event coordinator!

かなりドキドキしましたが、楽しい経験になりました！特にAndyさんのワークショップは非常によく準備がされていて、情報が詰まったものでした。彼はイベントの調整役でもあり直前まで沢山の仕事をこなしていたので、その合間に一体どうやってこんなに準備したんだろう！と不思議に思ったほどです。

It was also so lovely to perform a group choreography, Eh Ya Weleda (choreographed by Kat Lebo) as a part of Troupe Oasis.

また、Troupe Oasisのメンバーとしてグループ振り付けEh Ya Weleda (振り付けKat Lebo) をパフォーマンスするのもとても楽しかったです。

I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this event and for allowing me to be a part of it!

このイベントに関わったすべての方々、かかわることができた機会に感謝します！

X ソーシャルメディア

Instagram

Podcast

FB

contact form

Belly Dance Website

Visual Art Website

My Dance Videos 2023-

 Nisreen's performance videos

ニスリーンの動画。適宜更新いたします。

Music: Khamsa performed by Indy Raqs  composed by Andy Smith

Dance performance: Nisreen

Event: INBC Annual Bazaar (March 1st, 2025) 

At the INBC Annual Bazaar on March 1st, I stepped in at the last minute to cover a spot and perform to an Andy Smith　original, Khamsa! It was definitely a challenge to dance to a song I heard for the first time that day, but it was so much fun!

Videography: Playground Productions 

Choreography (Partly Improvised): Nisreen

Music: Khatwet Samar by Ziad Rahbani

Dance performance: Nisreen

Event: Raqs Party (Sept 21st, 2024) hosted by Troupe Oasis and INBC

Videography: SJ Images

Choreography (Partly Improvised): Nisreen

Music: Laylat Hobb performed by Indy Raqs  

Dance performance: Nisreen

Event: Raqs Party (Dec 7th, 2024) hosted by Donna B Carlton

The first song/

Based on choreography by: Athena Najat

Music: Para Bizde by Rumeli Orhan Kemal

Performance: Nisreen

　　　　　　　　　The second song/ 　　　　　　　　　Choreography: Nisreen

Music: Shifting Sands by Nasir Eddin and The Pharaoahs

Performance: Nisreen

Music: 'Fire Dance, played by @indyraqs
Venue: Indiana, United States
Event: Mosey
Improv Performed by: Nisreen

Music: 'Aziza' by Mohammed Abdel Wahhab, played by @indyraqs
Venue: Indiana, United States
Event: Mosey
Improv Performed by: Nisreen

Music: 'Sendur'
Venue: Indiana, United States
Event: Mosey

Based on choreography by: Athena Najat 
Performed by: Nisreen

The first song/

Based on choreography by: Athena Najat 

Music: Para Bizde by Rumeli Orhan Kemal

Performance: Nisreen

The second song/

Choreography: Nisreen

Music:  Darbuka Solo Pt. 3 by Bünyamin Olguncan

Performance: Nisreen

Music: 'Tuta' by 'Farid al-Atrash', played by @indyraqs
Venue: Indiana, United States
Event: INBC Belly Dance Annual Bazaar
Performed by: Nisreen
Choreographed by: Nisreen (primarily improv)

Music: 'My Love' by 'Harem'

Venue:  'Venue 812' in Indiana, United States

Event: INBC Summer's End Belly Dance Fest

Performed by: Nisreen

Choreographed by: Nisreen (mostly improv)

Choreography: improv

Music: Mohamed Sultan, arranged by Samy Farag

Performer: Nisreen

[Bilingual post] Podcast S2: Ep18 – Three Pieces of Art to Explore During Women’s History Month /ポッドキャスト S2: Ep18 – 女性史月間によせて-女性アーティスト作品３作

 Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen. Welcome to the 18th episode of Season Two of my podcast! It’s lovely to speak with you again.

In the US, and many other countries, March is a time to celebrate women’s achievements. In today’s episode, I’d like to introduce three works of art by female creators that you can explore during Women’s History Month—two films, and one painting. I hope you enjoy it!

The thumbnail of this episode is my drawing of Shiori Itō in the film.

Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.

[Bilingual post] Podcast S2: Ep17 – Why a Pug is My Muse /ポッドキャスト S2: Ep17 – 私のミューズはなぜパグなのか

       Japanese follows English/日本語は英語の後に記載

Hello, this is Nisreen. Welcome to the 17th episode of Season Two of my podcast! It’s lovely to speak with you again.

The other day, our pug boy, Nibbler, marked his 7th birthday! That got me reflecting on how much he has enriched not only my personal life, but also my artistic journey. Today, I’d love to talk about why he is my muse. I hope this resonates with you, especially if you love dogs, or any kind of animal!

The thumbnail is Nibbler's portrait I painted.  Please find the episode below.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube as well.