We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nina Harada. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nina below.
Nina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
As a mom to two young girls, I’m steeped in parenting advice, news, social media accounts and online forums that, although I’m grateful for, have the overall effect of needing to get this parenting thing right. The pressure to not mess up our kids, while also being present with them, is impossible. I know that no matter my intentions, effort and unconditional love, there will be something (if I’m being honest, more than one thing) that my kids, once grown, will question me about.
My parents did not have parenting blogs or podcasts to reference. They were just doing their best like the rest of us, but because those parenting spaces didn’t exist, they didn’t have the added pressure of parenting the “right” way. They were human and weren’t afraid to show my sister and I their human-ness. I knew when money was tight or how my dad really felt about his mother or who my parents were dating after they split. They did not stay together “for the kids.” Their fights were loud, but their love for us even louder. And because there was no facade I could trust them and feel safe telling them anything. We had a culture of communicating, no matter how messy or uncomfortable. They’d be the first to tell you they didn’t know what they were doing, but I’d say showing up as their full selves in spite of not knowing is what they did right. Now as a parent myself, I try to let go of my perfectionism to show my daughters that it’s okay to be messy, feeling, confused— human.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Art was my first love, but it was also my introduction to writing. Our first assignment in 3rd grade after school art club was to create an abstract painting. To help us 8-year-olds get into our flow state, we all had to write down our feelings in a little notebook every day before class. I’ve been writing and painting ever since. Although I was always creating— painting, drawing, collaging— I chose to follow my love for the written word and majored in English at UC Berkeley. My internships for a lifestyle magazine in San Francisco and an online city guide during my senior year led to steady freelance work through my move back home to Los Angeles. A few years ago I decided to give up the freelance life for stability and joined the team at LA Parent magazine as digital editor. I love sharing stories about parenthood and my city. I’m also about to launch my own Substack, Notes From the Motherside. Subscribe for musings on motherhood and beyond, exploring the intersection of creativity, identity and parenthood.
Parenthood has had a big impact on my journey as an artist. During my first year as a mom, making art felt unobtainable but also very important to my sense of self and well-being. However, working with oils or acrylics felt too daunting with a baby, so I switched to collaging. This felt equally creatively fulfilling, but less messy or toxic. I challenged myself to create a collage per day, which led to my first original affirmations deck. I am most proud of this project as it proved to myself that I am still an artist even if much of my time and energy is spent parenting, and that I am capable of completing an artistic goal. During the pandemic I felt a calling to return to painting and started taking on commissions, from pet portraits to watercolor abstracts to L.A. landscapes. Now I’m happy to work in all mediums— watercolors, oils and collage— for my own projects, fine art to sell and commissions.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Recognize the value we bring to society. And in a capitalist system, that often means money. We’re seeing it now with the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes— artists seeking a livable wage. We can support artists and creatives by buying their work and sharing their work with the community.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Making space. Through my writing I try to create space for reflection, to pause, to breathe, to be open, to be vulnerable. In my art, too, I’m always trying to make space. This modern life is hurried— our calendars are full, inbox is cluttered, todo lists never ending, it’s bumper to bumper on the freeway— so in my art I’m always making space. Making a piece and experiencing it, I feel more at ease and I hope to bring that sense of ease to anyone else who comes across my art as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ninaharada.com
- Instagram: @ninaharada
Image Credits
Nina Harada