If you’re tired of conforming to "rules of society", it might be time to reconnect with your childhood dreams. Rei welcomes Haruka Aoki, a Japanese poet and illustrator, who made the bold transition from the corporate ladder to the vibrant world of art. Haruka details their journey from working as an art director in a healthcare company to becoming an acclaimed artist with works featured in publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post. The conversation highlights Haruka's tailored approach to pitching their unique, visually rich narrative stories, addressing cultural themes like AAPI heritage and the universal love of public libraries.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Finding Your Place in the World Through Creativity
• 2:36 Haruka Aoki's Journey From Corporate Life to Artistic Freedom
• 7:14 Haruka Aoki's Journey From Corporate to Narrative Artist
• 14:43 An Ode to Public Libraries and Their Cultural Impact
• 17:28 Embracing Their Artistic Career
• 21:40 Rediscovering Inner Child Through Creative Freedom
• 26:30 Becoming a Full-Time Artist
• 27:58 Key Takeaway

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

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