Here’s one momma who truly put the hood in Mommahoods! Maria is a sweetheart of a friend who painted the beautiful cityscape that is the backdrop and inspiration for this blog. She’s an award-winning artist/illustrator/author who teaches Illustration to the lucky coeds at the College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. Just the latest stop for a gifted gal who’s lived all over the world: from NY to Cali and Milan. And whether it’s a forest from her past, people walking in the rain, or just plain old peace and love, the happy, whimsical touch in her art is everywhere too: Target, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn.
Need a lovely journal, colorful piece of art or fun children’s book? I invite you to check out her daily Instagram posts in addition to her website and online shop. Her latest release is an interactive flip book called “Dress Me Up: A Mix and Match Play Book” with a series of similar playful books coming soon. Art is in her blood. Her mom was an artist and her daughter Maja also inherited that creative gene. And when this new job came a callin’, she grabbed her recently-acquired MFA with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology and headed on out on her next adventure. Her nomadic ways have always been a big influence on me. Leave it to Maria to discover a global escape in the heart of the Midwest.
I have been inspired by Japanese art and culture for a really long time, probably ever since I was about 8 when I discovered Hello Kitty. I just love the clean, minimalist aesthetic and I’m always on the lookout for cool little Japanese-inspired shops and restaurants, wherever I go. So when I moved to Columbus, Ohio I was pretty sure I was not going to find this kind of stuff here. After having lived for so many years in the NY area I was convinced that only big cities like NY, LA, SF had this kind of stuff. But I was pleasantly surprised to find a tiny little enclave of Japanese shops in my own backyard, in Upper Arlington (a Columbus suburb) where I live today. Even though this Little Tokyo mini-hood called Japan Marketplace is a bit hidden and located in a strip mall type area, it’s still worth checking out. There are a few small markets, a really good Korean/Japanese restaurant where I ate the best bibimbap (Akai Hana) plus an adorable gift store (J Avenue) and bakery (Belle’s Bread). For me, it’s really just a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, when I’m feeling like I need some visual inspiration and a delicious treat to boot.
Japan Marketplace, 1167 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH