Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Harada.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m not your typical Gemini. I’ve always been quiet, shy and introspective. My mother is also a Gemini, but of the more standard kind — always moving around from place to place and friend to friend. She knows how to have a good time, but not necessarily how to be vulnerable. She challenged my shyness and would push me to speak to her friends and acquaintances when I wasn’t ready. She’d send me into the store to ask for directions. She threw me on a 12-hour flight to Japan by myself when I was seven. Maybe that’s why I turned out the opposite? But while I couldn’t express myself easily in my day-to-day life, like small talk with older family members or confidently telling a waiter my order, I could in my art. When my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I proudly stated “Artist,” to which she sort of scoffed and replied, “That’s a hobby, not a job.” Oh, I thought, and unknowingly stuffed that into my psyche for years to come.
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and was lucky enough to go to a small, artsy K-12 private school from 3 to 11 years old. Two sparks were ignited during my time there: acting and art. But it’s only recently that I’ve turned into the latter. In third grade, I saw my first play, which would light the flame that guided me through my college years and into adulthood. Acting allowed me to express the parts of myself that were too scary to express as me, Nina. I thought I was always going to be an actor, could never imagine my identity as anything different. Of course, people change, and that fire started to fade a few years ago. But if not acting, then, what? I meditated, journaled, took goal-setting classes, yoga, and joined life coaching groups (self-care and self-inquiry tools that have always been a part of my practice— I love all that stuff!) and there was one thing I kept coming back to: art. The same year I saw my first play, I started attending after school art club with the most kind and charismatic woman I’d ever met. She had long, blonde hair the length of her back. She had fresh carrot sticks for the kids to snack on throughout class.
And she had a collection of birds that grew so large the school built an aviary next to the lunch tables in order to house them all. Mrs. Vaughn loved her students but even more so loved her art. Art Club was just as much for her own art practice as it was for the students. I remember she was always working on her own piece, a giant canvas at the front of the room, while we painted on our little boards. We began each class writing in our art notebooks, anything from how we were feeling that day to what we ate for lunch. There was no wrong answer. Next, we’d take out our blank canvas boards and paint however we felt. She taught us to use our whole body, not just our hand, as we moved the paintbrush. Her one and only rule was that we couldn’t paint anything realistic like an object until after we painted what we felt. Looking back, I realize she was teaching us how to journal, a habit I have kept all these years, and how to paint abstract expressionism.
Throughout childhood, I kept sketchbooks, canvas pads, and journals. They got me through my parent’s divorce, they helped me through the usual teen drama, they anchored me in college, they comforted me in San Francisco while I was getting my feet on the ground. Now as a new mother, another major life transition, I’m finding art again, but more confidently. It’s not important that it’s “good” or trendy or even that people like it. It’s most important that I do it. So I am. I’m finally shedding the narrative that art is “a hobby, not a job.” Last year I launched my website, ninaharada.com, with my first product— “I AM right here right now,” a deck of affirmation cards, each card with an original piece of artwork. I sell original paintings and cards. I also do commissions, from oil paint portraits to watercolor landscapes. In the future, I will offer limited edition prints and a brand new deck, which is currently in the works.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My main obstacle is confidence. I’ll be jazzed about an idea one moment, painting up a storm, and then the next day feels like who am I to share this art. Who cares. There are other, more worthy causes to be putting my energy towards. And yet in the same breath, I’ll express excitement for a fellow artist or friend doing their thing, putting their stuff out in the world. I’m working on being as supportive of my own work as I am of others.
Please tell us more about your art.
I create and sell original artwork, all influenced by my love of California and my passion for self-care. I’m known for my positive affirmations deck and custom pieces. At the moment, I’m grateful to be busy with commissions from people looking for watercolors inspired by our Golden State. People also come to me for palm trees. Because I do watercolor and oils, abstract and naturalism, portraits and landscape, clients are able to come to me for more than one thing but no matter the medium, the piece will be infused with west coast vibes.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Push through the fear sooner. Jump on the idea faster. This might not be advice for everyone, but for someone like me who can overthink and get insecure way too easily, I wish I’d pushed through all the fears and uncomfortable feelings a lot sooner— such a waste of energy!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ninaharada.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninaharada
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninaharadaart
Image Credit:
Nina Harada, Jeremy Mascia
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