The other day, I visited Framed by Nature, an art exhibition by Nate Evans, at the Indianapolis Public Library.
先日、インディアナポリス公共図書館で開催されていた、ネイト・エヴァンスさんのアート展「Framed by Nature」を訪れました。
Nate Evans is an Indianapolis woodworker and artist who creates framed live-edge pieces from salvaged and locally sourced wood. His work focuses on grain, natural edges, voids, and the patterns shaped through time, weather, and growth.
It was so inspiring to see the beauty created by nature. I made a couple of sketches with brush pens, attempting to study the shapes and lines formed by the wood. I always see nature as the ultimate source of inspiration!
Visual artist Nisreen will present her solo exhibition Dreaming of Tomorrow, opening September 4, 2026, at the Lovell Gallery at The Arts Federation. The exhibition will run from September 4 through September 25, 2026, with an Opening Reception on September 4 at 6:00 PM. The event will take place at Lovell Gallery at The Arts Federation, 638 North St, Lafayette, IN 47901. Guests are warmly invited to attend the reception and experience Nisreen’s latest body of work.
Dreaming of Tomorrow presents a vibrant collection of paintings that explore the depth of human emotions, the profound connections between humans and animals, and the beauty of cultural intersections in everyday life. Through harmonious colours and rhythmic shapes, each piece encourages viewers to reflect on possibility, hope, and the shared human experience.
Nisreen is a visual artist known for her dreamy, semi-abstract paintings and distinctive portraits. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Tokyo Zokei University in 2011 and later completed an undergraduate certificate in Fundamental Psychology from California Coast University in 2024. Based in Indiana since 2023, she draws inspiration from emotional depth, storytelling, and cross-cultural experiences.
In addition to her visual art practice, Nisreen is the host of the bilingual podcast Nisreen’s Art World, where she engages a global audience in conversations about art and creativity.
This exhibition offers an immersive experience that highlights both the introspective and
connective power of art, inviting visitors to envision a more empathetic future.
We experienced a small miracle the other day. Long story short, a bag we lost about a month ago found its way back to us!
It was a small sports shoulder bag that my husband had been using on dog walks for the past eight years. It was an old bag, but it held a lot of sentimental value. I felt terrible when I realised that I might have left it on an outdoor bench. I wasn't feeling well and was really out of it that day.
Apparently, a kind person found the bag and turned it in to a nearby lost-and-found. The information about our dog on the tag attached to the bag eventually led them to contact our vet. I was so grateful to everyone whose kindness helped reunite us with the bag.
The other day, I attended the reception for Lilwen Jones’ exhibition, Roots, at Art Federation. Lilwen is a talented jewellery artist and photographer.
I met her at a drawing group, and she is featured in one of the drawings I’m planning to exhibit in my own show as well!
The exhibition showcases a wide range of her work, including glass art, metalworking, photography, and more. The common theme I felt throughout this diverse collection was a love of nature and a connection to one’s authentic self, as suggested by the exhibition title, Roots.
I purchased a beautiful pair of flower earrings — I love their natural feel!
The exhibition is open until 25 June 2026 at 5:00 pm. If you’re nearby, do pop in and have a look!
I donated this piece to the 2026 Artwork for the Animals fundraiser for Humane Indiana’s PAWS Resale Plus. It’s a creative way to support the animal shelter, where local artists create custom artwork based on photos provided by donors.
I painted an adorable dog named Axel using oil pastels!
この作品を、Humane Indiana のPAWS Resale Plusによる2026年「Artwork for the Animals」チャリティー fundraiser に寄付しました。これは、寄付者から提供された写真をもとに地元アーティストたちがオリジナル作品を制作し、動物保護施設を支援するというとても画期的な取り組みです。
How are you? I recently went on a road trip with our dogs, and it was such a fun experience! Before living with them, I had no idea how much dogs could love traveling and exploring new places. I also really appreciated how helpful dog-friendly hotels can be.
Here are some essentials (and a few nice-to-haves) that I found useful when traveling with your furry family. I didn’t mention harnesses, collars, and leashes because they’re obvious—but of course, they’re essential too!:
Plastic bags – Great for collecting rubbish. Hotel room bins are often too small, so these really come in handy.
Blanket – Keeps your dog comfortable, and familiar smells can help calm them in a new environment.
Slippers – You don’t want to step on water drips—or worse, their bones! Hotel floors aren’t always as clean as they look, and bathroom tiles can be cold. Slippers keep your feet warm, clean, and protected.
Pet wipes – Especially essential for breeds like pugs. Daily cleaning (wrinkles, paws, etc.) becomes even more important when traveling.
Portable pet bowls – Convenient for both food and water, especially during rest stops on long drives.
Ties – Because our babies should always be fashionable.
Treats & dog food – A must. I recommend avoiding unfamiliar or wet food, as it can upset their stomachs.
Pee pads – Go for big, thick ones—just in case.
Disinfectant spray – Always be prepared for little mishaps, no matter how well-behaved your pups are.
Grooming supplies – Keep them clean, brushed, and comfortable throughout the trip.
Needless to say, don’t forget any necessary medications, medical equipment, or jackets for colder weather.
Nisreen’s first solo art exhibition at the Lovell Gallery at The Arts Federation in Lafayette, Indiana, is coming soon—the reception will be on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details!
私の初めての個展がThe Arts Federation のLovell Galleryにて開催予定です。レセプションは2026年9月4日金曜日、18時です。詳細はまた追ってお伝えします、お近くの方はぜひ！
I wonder if I’m the only one who finds the simple hair ties available at CVS or supermarkets ridiculously flimsy. The same goes for their bobby pins — they can’t hold anything, especially those silicone hair ties. The level of fragility is an insult to my hair.
Even the ones from a pound shop in Japan are better quality.
I finally found some bearable hair ties at a supermarket the other day, but they were labelled “Extra strong! For thick hair.”
Sir. Be serious. You’re not “extra strong” — you’re just doing your job.
A wonderful artist—and the facilitator of the live drawing group and museum shop manager at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette—LaDonna Vohar painted this beautiful artwork inspired by one of my wedding photographs by Liberte Me Studio in Nakano, Tokyo. Her delicate depiction of this happy moment in life and her observant eye for detail are exquisite.
Her exhibition, “LaDonna’s Mélange,” is open until May 10, 2026, at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. She shows a great range as an artist, from poignant portraits to dynamic murals and playful furniture pieces. If you are nearby, I highly recommend visiting the exhibition!
素晴らしいアーティストであり、Art Museum of Greater Lafayetteで人物スケッチのグループの進行とお店のマネージャーも務めているLaDonna Voharさんが、東京中野にあるLiberte Me Studioによる私の結婚写真の一枚から着想を得て、この美しい作品を描いてくださいました。人生の幸せな瞬間を繊細に描き出す表現と、細部まで行き届いた観察力は本当に見事です。
彼女の展覧会「LaDonna’s Mélange」は、Art Museum of Greater Lafayetteにて2026年5月10日まで開催されています。心に響くポートレートから躍動感あふれる壁画、そして遊び心のある家具作品まで、アーティストとしての幅広い表現をご覧いただけます。お近くにお越しの際は、ぜひこの展覧会を訪れてみてください。
On 28 February 2026, I had the opportunity to co-conduct a Taqsim workshop with oud musician Andy Smith at the INBC Annual Bazaar. INBC is a non-profit organisation that supports dancers and musicians in Indiana and the surrounding areas.
The workshop was originally Andy’s idea – and it was a brilliant one! We alternated in sharing the perspectives of a musician and a dancer on how to perform taqsim – an Arabic word for an improvised musical solo in traditional Middle Eastern, Arabic, Greek, and Turkish music. All the participants were very engaged despite the early morning schedule, asking great questions and sharing their own experiences.
This is a painting I created to express the joy of the teaching experience.
この絵はこの経験の喜びを表現したものです
Although I couldn’t stay for the evening gala show, it was wonderful to meet the headliner, Tina Maric, who is a lovely person and an incredible dancer. She taught a very energetic and playful mejance choreography and drum solo.
As the PR Officer, it was very satisfying to see the event’s success after months of preparation and promotion.
Many thanks to the Event Director, April, the coordinator, Andy, and all the board members who worked tirelessly to make it happen – and, of course, to all the participants, instructors, performers, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed!
The Japanese Veggies I Miss and My Favourite Veggies in the US
恋しい日本の野菜と好きなアメリカの野菜
The Japanese Veggies I Miss
恋しい日本の野菜
Daikon – It’s a mild-flavoured winter radish. It can be found in Asian/Japanese markets, but it isn’t very common in supermarkets in my town. In winter, I start missing simmered daikon; it’s juicy, warm, and has a natural sweetness – the perfect winter food!
Edamame – These are young, immature soybeans harvested while still green and tender in their pods. There is edamame in my town too, but it’s hard to find good edamame. Good edamame have to be fresh and plump, and should pop energetically out of the pods. Soggy edamame is not nice!
Satsuma-imo / Sweet potatoes – There are delicious sweet potatoes here too. However, they are often orange or maroon and very soft. Japanese sweet potatoes are distinctive for their starchy texture and intense sweetness, typically yellow on the inside and maroon on the outside. I miss the nasal singing voice from baked sweet potato trucks or stalls in winter – yes, there are sweet potato stalls in Japan, very much like ice-cream or taco trucks! They are much rarer now, though.
Sweet peppers – I am mesmerised by how sweet and fresh they can be! I love roasting them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. A friend of mine once shared her garden-grown sweet peppers – they were delicious! There are sweet peppers in Japan too, but there are fewer varieties. The pointy shape I portrayed in the drawing had long been associated with spicy ones in my mind.
Brussels sprouts – My absolute favourite vegetable. My go-to meal is roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and honey, a flavour combination my husband recommended. The slightly burnt bits are irresistible! They can be found in Japan too, but they are less common. I don’t think I ever had them when I was a child.
Parsnips – This is the only vegetable I had literally never tried until I moved here. I thought they were carrots at first, then realised they were sweeter and juicier. Roasted parsnips are now one of my favourite winter meals.
I am grateful for vegetables wherever they are – they give us nutrition and energy, and more than anything, they are associated with happy memories around a table with our loved ones.
