Nichole and I met nearly 20 years ago in sophomore year of college at UCLA. We were both in the Design/Media Arts program and our first class together was Visual Technologies, taught by the late Professor Mitsuru Kataoka (or Mits, as we affectionately called him). Two decades later, including many LA nights out wearing tube tops (why, oh why?) and being awkwardly hit on by Andy Dick (yes, this Andy Dick) - we are still close friends and are lucky enough to live a hop skip away from each other! Out of our graduating class, Nichole is one of the few remaining that still works as an illustrator and a designer - and thank goodness for it, as a talent like hers needs to be shared with the world! You can find her beautiful illustrations on her website, including her recently published children’s book, DJ’s Busy Day!

The piece I created for Nichole reflects both the sense of calm and burst of fun that Nichole brings to my life. I chose a cooler color palette, incorporating colors Nichole was drawn to and are beautifully used in her own illustrations. Thinking about the quiet comfort that only an old friend can bring, I was inspired to bring warm textures into the piece using yarn and Japanese rice paper. Pops of yellow are sprinkled throughout to reflect the playfulness I find so lovely in Nichole’s artwork and in Nichole herself. Here’s to you, Nichole!

all my love,
M

Chat with Nichole

Life has taught me: that we can evolve and change the stories we have for ourselves. Our stories may need an update to fit who we are now instead of who we were in the past.

I’ve recently read/listened to/watched: Under Red Skies by Karoline Kan. It was an intricate read about life in rural and modern China through the lens of a native female journalist. It reminded me where my roots began. I also just finished “The Happiness Lab” podcast with Laurie Santos. This podcast made me appreciate life's extra special moments like my son doing his naked "bootie" dance. He takes all his clothes off, shakes his hips like the Hawaiian figurines you put on a dash board and says, "Look at me, I'm naked!" It cracks me up every time.