Makino Studios celebrates its 10th anniversary today! Exactly a decade ago, I took a leap of faith and launched makinostudios.com, the website for my brand-new art business. 

Though I grew up in an artsy family, I never expected to become a working artist. I graduated from Stanford in the 1980s—the Reagan years—with a degree in international relations. In this era of the materialistic yuppie, many of my classmates went on to earn MBAs en route to lucrative positions in corporate America. 

moth at the window
the things we think
will make us happy

Taking a more idealistic path, I ended up working for a global nonprofit. Though lacking many of the perks of, say, investment banking, this career came with its own benefits: I had a fancy title and a six-figure salary. Assignments took me to places like China, Russia, Kenya, Thailand, Paris, Istanbul. I worked with smart, committed people on a worthy mission: supporting independent media around the world. 

It was a role that served me well for a long time. But after twenty years in that career, it was time for a change. I craved work that was more creative and personally meaningful. I came to feel that I would rather make a significant impact on an intimate personal level than a marginal impact on a grand global level. Not incidentally, my financial calculations showed that I didn’t need to work for anyone else again.

The philosopher William James has expressed my feelings perfectly: “I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big successes. I am for those tiny, invisible loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which, if given time, will rend the hardest monuments of human pride.”

This past decade of running an art business has come with its share of struggles, false starts and teeth-grinding anxiety. I’ve had to learn accounting while kicking and screaming the whole way. Most recently, COVID-19 has taken a significant bite out of my sales.

But living this creative life is also incredibly rewarding. I get to spend unstructured days with my family and hike wild places with my dog. Then I turn those experiences into art—paintings, collages and haiku that only I could create. Work that flows from my authentic self. I may not be a Master of the Universe, but I can’t imagine a richer life.

all that I am
still unfolding
cherry tree in autumn

As Makino Studios celebrates its tenth birthday, I want to thank some key people: My husband Paul, for his unfailing support, help with counting cards at stores, and deliveries. My daughter Maya, for her invaluable editorial and artistic input. My son Gabriel, who helps package cards and fill orders. My sisters Yoshi and Yuri, for their keen-eyed artistic feedback. My mother Erika, for her lifelong encouragement of my creativity.

Special thanks to the skill and professionalism of the team at Bug Press, the small but mighty local Arcata printer that makes my print products possible. And last but certainly not least, thanks to my customers, store buyers, friends and fans for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. Makino Studios would not exist without you. 

I bow to you all.

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“moth at the window” haiku published in Bundled Wildflowers, Haiku Society of America 2020 Members’ Anthology, Haiku Society of America, 2020

“all that I am” haiku published in Modern Haiku, Issue 52.1, Winter-Spring 2021

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Makino Studios News

10th anniversary sale: This is the biggest sale I’ve ever run: take 25% off everything in the shop on US orders of $20 or more with promo code 10YEARS. Good for four days only, till 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, March 21. Includes sale items but not original art. One code per order.

NEW - collage landscape notecards: For Makino Studios’ 10th anniversary, I’ve produced a brand-new notecard set featuring four of my collage landscapes. Cost is $15 for a set of eight cards and kraft envelopes. This makes a nice Mother’s Day gift!

NEW - gallery of collage haiga: I’ve posted 14 of my collage haiga (art with haiku) on the gallery page of my website. Most of these original pieces are available for sale; please inquire if interested. (The 25% off sale does not apply to original art.)

A Prayer for Japan: Ten years ago, just after the Great East Japan Earthquake, I created a sumi ink painting of flying cranes with a prayer for healing. The Eureka Times-Standard ran this in-depth story on the piece and the birth of my business.