In the summer of 2024, my mother passed after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

It was only two days after she passed that my first trip to Japan was about to begin. I told my family that I wanted to be with them, and that I should stay home. My father told me not to cancel, and to go to Japan. He said your mom would have wanted you to go.

And so I did.

Something very deep and spiritual happened to me on this trip. I felt so moved… so free… so peaceful. It was as if the land itself spoke to me.

I brought with me a picture of myself and my mom and one of the little rocks that she collected in her final years. I brought them to all the temples and shrines I visited and took a picture at each with them. She went with me to each one. I felt her there along with the Kami (spirits) of this beautiful country.

This experience awoke something inside of me- a desire to express my emotions with art. Art that returns me to Japan in a very personal way. Art that reinvigorates the deep spiritual bond that the land gave to me.

Through my art, I want to share with you the peace, joy and love that I experienced.

Please enjoy these Visions of Zen!

I plan to launch my work, my social media accounts and my store in January of 2027.