Creative Living with Jamie (episode 260): Oto Kano

What if you left the shoulds behind in favour of what comes easily? That's exactly what Oto Kano did when she decided to become an artist. Step by step, she moved from a life full of shoulds to one that worked with her bipolar instead of against it. In this episode, Oto shares how she made the transition from feeling guilty about doing what she loved to truly owning her gifts.

Oto Kano is a Japanese-British abstract painter and jewellery designer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her work focuses on encapsulating chance encounter of colours, and her bipolar. She paints the energy she sees in her mind during depression and mania. She moved away from her university lecturing job teaching computer science to becoming an artist at 36, in order to follow a creative life that worked with her bipolar, not against it.

A Little Note Regarding the Audio: Despite an unexpected power outage, I managed to get this week's episode to you. I record the extro on the fly so it sounds a little rougher than usual. I hope the message gets to you all the same!

Connect with Oto

Website: Oto Kano Facebook: Oto Kano Instagram: @otokano_art

Connect with Jamie

If you've been looking for a place to fill your creative well, to discover your creative self, to stretch your creative wings, Jamie Ridler Studios is here for you. Gain access to all sorts of inspiration and support for your creative heart when you join the studio.

Website: Jamie Ridler Studios Classes: The Creative Living Academy Podcast: Creative Living with Jamie YouTube: Creative Living TV Facebook: @jamieridlerstudios Twitter: @starshyne Instagram: @starshyne Pinterest: @starshyne

Shine a Light ~ Spread the Magic

Whether this is the first episode that you've listened to or we've been hanging out for years, I am so glad that you're here. I love knowing that we're hanging out in your studio, folding your laundry or that we're hanging out while you're walking your dog or going to work. Wherever you are and however you listen, I want you to know, I cherish you. And if you cherish this show, if it has been a blessing to your creative life, please spread the magic! Take a moment to leave a positive rating or review on iTunes. Share the podcast with your friends! You really can make a difference by shining a light on the show so that it can be found by other creative hearts just like you.