From meditation to meal sharing, daily rituals and habits have the power to bring out the best in your talent. Rei welcomes back Haruka Aoki, a Japanese poet and illustrator, to discuss Haruka's unique creative processes, aspirations to expand into various mediums, and day-to-day specifics of how they make a living as an artist. Haruka’s artistic process combines writing and illustrating with deeper emotional connections and cultural expressions. Through detailed anecdotes and personal reflections, they share how a structured routine—consisting of activities like meditation, stretching, and maintaining a consistent work attire—fuels creativity and productivity. 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 Haruka Aoki's Artistic Journey and Future Aspirations8:08 The Joy of Sharing Life's Simple Pleasures Through Art9:40 Creating Art Through Rituals and Structured Work Habits14:23 Empowerment and Assurance in Career and Personal Growth17:04 Habits and Rituals That Enhance Artistic Creativity17:36 Key Takeaway Episode References:Haruka Aoki | WebsiteHaruka Aoki | NewsletterHaruka Aoki | InstagramRei Inamoto | InstagramI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.