Do a runway walk with this song!

Yesterday I went to an audition for African Fashion Show! I met the designer Mimi, her partner Dele, and the photographer David ;D They are all super sweet & warm people plus I LOVE African fashion and music so I felt right at home from the beginning! If you are my friend from my NYC time, you know what I mean! I had a big afro and also one time had dreadlocks with extension one time, taking African dance classes and working at an African gallery in Harlem! ;D Probably because all the humans are from Africa, that is why I feel so close to African culture. Surrounded by African people and hearing African music made me feel energized so when they said, "do a runway walk with this song" ;D I was SO HAPPY to hear this fun song, "Bumpy Ride" by Mohombi, and just had fun doing a runway walk and busted out poses ;))) Hopefully they will choose me for the show!! Pleeeaase wish me luck! ;D

Asian Boston T-shirts shoot!

Thank YOU sooo much for the kisses, girls!! ;))))

Do you know there is a media group called "Asian Boston"?  I met the sweet + hard-working founder Leo Anthony the other night when we had the I Heart Japan Fundraising Fashion Show, and he told me about this Asian Boston T-shirts shoot for their magazine and we had lots of fun walking around the city and promoting Asian Boston.

The photographer for the day was Wei Ye! Here are some of the pictures he took :D It is interesting to see the same scene from a different angle, isn't it? ;D

Joanna and me! :D I love her! She is so sweet and fun, and has such a sexy husky voice ;D

I still don't know why they wanted to shoot me under the Dior logo. Why was it?!

Joanna and me, showing off our muscles! :P

And the group shot in subway! ;D

I really look like a guy, don't you think?! :P My mother used to say my face is super sweet so I should wear very sharp outfits (mostly black and white with an accent of other colors) to get the balance. I used to love (still love) super colorful tropical outfits but my mother didn't like them because then I will look like "chindonya" people :P

Now when I look back my childhood, my parents wanted me to grow as a strong lady. I was taking Kendo lessons, "the modern martial arts of sword fighting," and beating up the boys. I even got the third place in my town! When I played, I always wanted to go out and run around in nature, explore mysterious forest (if I go back now, I bet it is such a small forest but felt HUGE!) around the house. I just couldn't wait to go outside! I didn't have the dress-up time like regular little girls do. Maybe that is why I want to dress-up NOW?! :P These days I just have lots of fun dressing up with crazy hair and make-up! It is artistic, creative, spontaneous, mobile 3D art! ;D

TAKARA Magazine Cover - Spring Mountain

For May TAKARA cover, Yasuko-san chose my Spring Mountain piece, yellow flowers version :D The weather has been so gorgeous and the air around us feels cheerful ;)))

"I Heart Japan" Japan Disaster Relief Fundraising Event!

The hard-working & beautiful organizer Mariko Kanto and always fun & sexy fashion by Dawnamatrix, this event was a big hit!!
Here is a picture of my dear friend gorgeous Dawn and me, making heart shapes for the photographer, Wei Ye :D

(Photo by Wei Ye)

This is the first time to meet Leo Anthony and Jane from the media group called Asian Boston! Leo is the founder ;D It was a big pleasure meeting you two! ;)))

(Photo by Wei Ye)

I am smiling BIG in this picture because the lady behind me said, "You are SO HOT!!", which made me smile huge! ;D I said to her, "Thank YOUUUU!!" I looove when ladies give me compliments!! :D

(Photo by Raquel Goncalves)

This place Splash Ultra Lounge was really awesome! There is a pool with cool blue lighting and this deck you see in the above picture outside with tables and chairs! You can feel summer breeze and have a romantic night here ;D

As always, working with Dawn and Mariko was lots of fun! Thank YOU sooo much for having me there!! It was a wonderful & meaningful event!! ;)))

Let's Dance~!! ;D

Great music for dancing or working out ;)))
"Beggin'" by Madcon!

Jay Cutler says...!!

"You should be in the next bikini show!"

"Just put more color (meaning tan), and you are good to go!" Wow... that is amazing...!!
I asked him a question, "but I don't have fake ones (pointing my boobs, because many of the ladies on stage had fake ones), do I have to get ones to win?!" thinking I do not want to do that... then he said, "just put some pads on," oh I didn't know there is such an option, that sounds much healthier and more natural :P (I meant to post this much earlier but we met Jay on May 8th :P)

The fact the sweet Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, remembered our faces from the last show was touching enough, but the fact he thinks I can be in the next bikini competition just blew me away!!! Yeeaaahhh, as you know, definitely my body is not ready for a bikini show and needs loooots of work, but don't you think if I could win the bikini competition that would be super cool?! This will be an amazing + fun + rewarding challenge for me!! ;D

Since we met Jay last time, 6 months has passed. 6 months is a quite long time if we think of the changes we make in life. Brandon started to study for personal training exam and I started to do modeling. Both of us are happy for the new changes and challenges ;))) If I could be in a next bikini show, or next next show, I would be so happy and IF I can win, I would be super psyched!!! and be jumping with joy for several months for sure :P

I worked out even harder that night! Working out makes you feel good, energized, all the fresh oxygen & blood go to the brain and whole body!! Motivation can make you work harder and I am so thankful to Jay Culter who gave me such energy and next big dream ;D

Thank YOU Sooo Much for your warm, sincere, positive energy, Jay!! I am super inspired!!! :D

Thank YOU so much for your support!! :D

(Bonni & Terry)

The "Art of Japan" event was successful! I meant to report this much earlier but because of final papers, presentation and exam, it had been delayed! According to the charming organizer Sophie, $3,720 goes to the Japanese Red Cross! WOW! How wonderful is that!! Thank YOU sooo much for having such an amazing event, Sophie!!

(Bonni, Bill, Mihoko and Terry)

And guess what! The gorgeous art/photography by Bill Downey was sold!! Bill and we were thrilled!! The buyers actually turned out to be my friend Bonni and her husband Terry! They are such a beautiful sweet couple!! They are going to hang it on the wall in their vacation home in Martha's Vineyard! Sounds amazing, right?! ;D

Happy smiles :D

(Brandon+Mihoko, taken by Bill ;D)

We all love Japan... :D

Love Pink?

and so do I! :D

Two "Sparkling Pink Flower" Mousepads are sold to Bruce in Michigan and Carol in Australia! Amazing, now somehow people can find my products even in Australia! YAY!!
This picture was taken by my sweet talented photographer Takami a while back :))) Big Arigatooo, Takamiiii ;D

This Awesome Song Goes to All My Super Friends!

Yes! It's to YOU! Listen and Enjoyyy! ;D
"Friends" by Nas & Damian Marley!

Damian Marley is Bob Marley's youngest son. Obviously he got an amazing talent just like father ;D

I am in Heaven! :D

I LOVE lizards, especially geckos!! :D One of my dreams was to have a gecko climbing around my cheeks!

And guess what, my dream came true at Skipton Pet Center, big thanks to Douglas! Thank YOU sooo much for guiding me to play with your babies! That was a wonderful surprise! They have such gorgeous curious eyes and amazingly lovable feet! Look at this cutie foot on my forehead ;D We call a gecko "yamori", "家守" in Japanese Kanji character; 家 means house and 守 means protection. Yamori protects our house! :D

Nuts about "Relax and Feel Good" :P

Made these for Brandon's video project :)))

"E.T." Rocks!!

My new favorite song! :D "E.T." by Katy Perry feat. Kayne West!
This is such a creative + expressive lyrics video and I LOOOVE watching, singing, dancing and exercising with this song!! My mother said I looked like E.T. when I was born so I feel very close to E.T. :P  E.T. in Japanese is Uchujin, 宇宙人! :D
(宇宙= space, 人= person) 

"Belief" by Bill Downey!

The super talented photographer/artist Bill Downey produced this amazing image!! Please click to see a bigger version of the image :D

(photo: Bill Downey, hair: Brandon Welti, make-up: Mihoko Hakata)

It all started when Bill decided to support Japan by donating a piece to the benefit party called "Art for Japan," which is happening on May 6th. I submitted my pictures right away when I saw his posting asking for a model for this meaningful project. I wanted to support Japan in any possible ways. We talked on the phone and I just felt so comfortable with his great energy :D

Arrived at Bill's house. He even chose a Japanese radio station for me, so that I can feel at home, which he succeeded in doing :) He has a living space on the first floor, the second floor is a photo studio and the third floor space is for make-up and hair. What a great set-up! 

After a long creative conversation with Bill, he wanted us to re-create the hair and the make-up we did for I Heart Japan gallery show. Here are pictures of Brandon painting on my hair after he amazingly stood my hair up in the bathroom!

Brandon likes this picture of himself :P He looks very dedicated! 

And me working on my eye make-up. I love the red accents in this picture which Bill captured:

I didn't imagine doing a geisha make-up, which is my first time, and wearing a kimono, far away from home, in the United States! Thank YOU, genius Ben, for choosing this white face paint for me! ;D

I felt very close to my origin yet at the same time far away from my origin. I felt close because I could feel all the steps women had to go through to dress up, and I felt far because this was my first time to try it even though I am from Japan. Thank You So Much, Bill, for taking these pictures! They look like from a movie scene!

Here, I am getting directions from Bill. He is so wonderful to work with!! He has a cristal-clear vision, gives you precise directions, and says "You are doing great jobs!" which I love to hear ;P

Bill chose a black kimono, which is I rented from my sweet friend Dawn, thank YOU Dawn!!, because he wanted to focus on my facial expression.

The most challenging parts of this shooting was that Bill wanted to capture my emotions, such as sadness, hope, strength, thinking of my parents, even crying...! Oh my, I felt like an actress! This is very challenging because I felt like I am emotionally naked which is more difficult than physically naked.
These days, when I think of my parents and friends in Japan or read newspaper articles of Japan, I start crying so this shouldn't be so difficult for me but in front of camera, you feel a pressure! As you know, my neutral face is smiling, so this was a new level for me! I was happy he didn't choose a picture of me crying for the final version though :P

For the final image, he placed the Japanese sun-ray next to my energetic sun-ray hairstyle. What a great idea! Also, if you click the image to enlarge, you will notice the Japanese character "信念" on the bottom right, which means "Belief" in Japanese. The word and my facial expression work together perfectly!!

Thank You Sooo Much for this amazing evening, Bill!! I am very happy to have met you! :D

It was such a creative, emotional and meaningful project to me. I am really honored to be a part of this project...!

We finished our super fun preparation & photoshoot at midnight, which I couldn't believe it's been 6 hours since we arrived!! Time just flew by super fast!

Before leaving his house, Bill gave me a gorgeous white rose with sweet aroma (in this picture it looks pink, maybe she was blushed because I was taking many pictures of her!).
He said, he gives a flower to every model after a photoshoot. What a sensitive sweet man he is! :D Look, this flower has miracle twin babies!! ;D

Here is the poster for "Art for Japan" party!

Even though I was too late to submit my own artwork, (they quickly received 50 artworks and now it's full), I am so thrilled to be a part of the event!! Please stop by if you are free on Friday, May 6th, 6-9 pm :D

TAKARA Magazine Cover - Art Heals

For April cover, Yasuko-san chose this piece I made. The title is "Art Heals." We often receive happy sparkling energy by looking at your favorite art. Hope many artworks around the world is healing people and making them happy :D

Try the Delicious Easter Bread at Grandaisy Bakery in NYC!

If you are in New York City, walking around SoHo in a gorgeous sunny day, you should definitely stop by at Grandaisy Bakery, one of my favorite bakeries in NYC ;D For this year, they used my illustration as a card with beautiful matched colored ribbons around! Thank you so sooo much, Monica!! 

I really miss the taste of this magical bread Monica makes! To remember the taste, I went back to my news to see what I wrote before... 

... Crispy outside with sugar and almond, then you go into the many layers of softness and will be surprised at the refreshing open-minded orange peel+citron sparkles and Italian chocolate melty in your mouth... Mmmm I miss it!! If you are in NYC, taste this yummy-ness for me!! Super Happy Easterrr ;D

"I Heart Japan" Japan Disaster Relief Fundraising Event Poster

My picture above was chosen for the poster for "I Heart Japan" event happening at Splash Ultra Lounge on May 12th! I will be in the fashion show by Dawnamatrix so you are around May 12th, please stop by! 

Thank you so much for choosing this picture & posting it in your website, Mariko Kanto, and thank you for designing this poster, Ben!  I am so honored to be a part of this fundraising event and will continue searching for any opportunities to support Japan, the country I love :D 

Must See!! "Journey to Planet Earth - Plan B: Mobilizing to Save Civilization"

Lester Brown gives us the crystal-clear vision to save civilization and planet!! I was super honored to see him in live when he came to school the other day. Instead of usual comedy movie tonight, enjoy this meaningful movie to educate your loved ones, families, friends and yourself :D  Narration by Matt Damon.

To Be Super Fit, Sexy & Strong!

Brandon has been dreaming about being big but never been committed. I have been dreaming about being really fit, but again never been committed for long enough. To feel more focused and feel good about documenting, we decided to write daily log of what we eat, drink and exercises at this blog: RelaxAndFeelGood.blogspot.com. Check it out! ;D

Ninja Mihoko?! :P

Any feedback is appreciated ;))) We shall see how long we can do this! :P

"I Heart Japan" Tee by Dawnamatrix!

I am praying for everyone's happiness & health in Japan every day..... 

(I made this picture whiter because that suits my feeling...)

My dear sweet friend Dawn made "I Heart Japan" Tee to raise money for Japan! The character "日本" on the t-shirts is read either "Nippon" or "Nihon," which means Japan.
Thank you so much, Dawn, for supporting Japan. She had lived in Japan to study Kimono designs for 3 years so has a special feeling for Japan. She can speak Japanese very well too! Sasuga Dawn!! ;D

(Ben, Dawn, Mihoko and Brandon :D)

You can purchase Dawn's "I Heart Japan" Tee at here! 

This fundraising fashion show & art show took place at Hancock 309 Gallery! Huge applause goes to the beautiful gallery owner Valerie Owen and the gorgeous organizer Mariko Kanto! It was such a powerful event! :D
Dawn's "I Heart Japan" Tee Rocks!!

For this fashion show, Brandon wanted to create my hair like Japanese sun rays to echo with Dawn's sun-rays-heart on the t-shirts. My hair was up with the same product Got2b Glued we used for the mohawk you already saw in the previous post, and painted by red and silver face paint to create the sun rays feeling. 

I created red graphic shapes near corners of my eyes to depicts eye-drops & sun-rays = hope...!!

Mariko-san & Dawn gave me a nickname for the night, "Amaterasu Oomikami (天照大御神：あまてらすおおみかみ)," Sun Goddess! Arigatoooo! :D

Thank YOU so much for taking many pictures, Brandon, as always!! ;D

And! Looove YOU TWO!!! :D (Do I say this too often?! but true!) Thank YOU sooo much for having me at this meaningful event... Check out Dawn's gorgeous sexy latex clothing at Dawnamatrix, and Ben's super cool industrial designs! :D

TAKARA Magazine Cover - Sinking City...

TAKARA Magazine Cover for March... Yasuko-san wanted to use this fish illustration because there was a seafood convention in Boston this month. Yasuko-san told me that the creative director of TAKARA loved this cover the best! The original collage artwork is called "Sinking City - New York," and we felt scared to know that the earthquake & tsunami happened one day after the magazine was published. This artwork originally depicts the greedy city, New York, is sinking into shredded money ocean and almost eaten by the huge fish which is made of money.

TAKARA Magazine Cover - You are My Target ;D

Oooops! Time flew so quickly! Sorry for the delay, but this TAKARA cover was for Valentine's month! :P Yasuko-san chose "You are My Target" illustration for February. Thank YOU so much for printing it so beautifully! Perfect Pink! :D

Harvard Loves Japan!

There will be charity events in Harvard all week from March 21st to 25th. Sasuga Harvard! Thank You So Much, the Fabulous President Drew Faust and all the people who made this happen!! Big Respect & Appreciation :D

Let's Send Our Love & Care to Japan

I deeply appreciate all your messages from all over the world... thank you so much for asking about my parents, families, and friends. They are all fine in Japan, which was such a relief when finally I could confirm that they are all okay.
The above picture "Prayer" was taken in New York City by my wonderful friend, a talented photographer, Takami Shimura. I posted here because it depicts my current feeling beautifully. Praying for Japan...

Even though my loved ones are all alright, as you know we lost so many people in Sendai because of this magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami... and still many people are missing and suffering there. Unfortunately this hasn't ended yet, still many earthquakes are happening all over Japan and the radiation from the exploded nuclear power plant in Fukushima has been carried over even to Tokyo. In Tokyo, food is running out in many stores and in many cities planned blackouts are taking places to save energy. I am now concerned if Mt. Fuji will explode stimulated by these continuous earthquakes. I am praying everyday that will not happen.

But worrying & crying doesn't solve anything. We can do now, is to send them positive energy, wish their happiness and health, and send them donation. It will take a while to build the city again so this feeling we have now should be carried on. Please donate Your Love & Care to American Red Cross (in English, click links above or here) or to Japanese Red Cross Society 日本赤十字社(in Japanese, 寄付はこちらから)

All the profits from my store at Zazzle goes to Japanese Red Cross Society to heal Japan. Also, if you are interested in purchasing any of my artworks, please let me know. I will donate all the profits to Japanese Red Cross Society as well.

I hope this incident will encourage all the countries to focus on renewable energy, solar, wind and hydro, instead of nuclear power and coal power plant which has been killing so many people all over the world.

Feeling so many people's love and care... I am forever grateful.

Love & Hope,
Mihoko