To say goodbye and thank you to 2015, I hosted a celebration of community and creativity at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. We debuted the two short films that we made: ‘Drawings for Stories’, a film honouring the exchange I initiated earlier in the year, as part of the research for my book, ‘When in doubt draw’, and ‘Who is Divya Marie Kato?’, a sneak peek behind the scenes to learn more about me, my team and the why behind the work. For the gallery of pictures, full write up with speech and to see one of the videos, head over here or click on the lovely people in the pic below!
Happy New Year from Divya
Reaching, climbing, slipping, stretching. Grateful for branches, for support.
The beautiful tension of opposites: balance and navigation, place and path, skill and mastery, deep aha over quick tada, clarity and clearing forward, community and extending a hand.
Thank you 2015. Welcome 2016.
A loving and peaceful year to you and yours.
Hello everyone,
First post of 2016 and I have some incredibly good news:
“February is the new January”
Sarah Furuya, Friend, Partner, Coach, Clever Rebels & Curious Corporates
Hooray!
“So this is Christmas…
No, no, no…
So this is February…
And what have we done?”
Feeling a little of this? Or am I speaking to the coolest of cucumbers?
Calm and collected or feeling the push; a little offering from me to you. A video, a drawing, an excerpt from my book, ‘When in doubt, draw’, a few of my favorite things and new services to look forward to in 2016.
Getting To Know You
For those of you who don’t know me, hello and welcome.
Made my first video last year, you can check it out here or by clicking on the smiley youtube pic on the left. Meet the team and find out the why behind the book.
This year, I’m excited about partnering with FEW (For Empowering Women in Japan). As a previous speaker and member, I’m happy to be welcomed back this year and proud to contribute to a community that focuses on the empowerment of women. I’ll be offering discounts and 2 workshops to FEW this year. Check out their website here to find out more. It’s an incredible group. I love the meetings, presentations and conversations. My coach, tax accountant and lawyer are all here too!
SO much has changed since the first FEW meeting I stepped into. It was 2012. I had just left full time employment.
A few of my favorite things.
Then to now.
Always say thank you.
To people. To experiences. To another year spent on the planet.
It’ll leave you wide open to receive.
I said thank you to 2015 with a film opening party.
Films I had made about drawing. For the first time.
Tears of thanks as I sat down to write my speech.
All the stories.
All the stepping stones.
“I’ve been climbing my own mountain this year.
If my choices so far have been getting closer to the mountain,
My choices in 2015 have been climbing it.
Slowly.
One foot in front of the other.
The mountain of becoming a professional”
We’re all climbing mountains. Big. Small. Close. Far.
Give thanks for all of it. Treasure each step. Flowers for each half step.
Take a bath with the questions. Let them soak into your skin.
There’s no manual. We’re led by the questions.
Calling. Curiosity.
Fall. Feel. Follow.
Reflection on my selection:
Art School, Drawing & Beginnings. “Art or Craft?”
Japan, Dragons & Belonging. “What helps you feel at home?”
Breakdown & Breakthrough. “How do you find your tribe, your purpose, your definition of success?”
Back to the Drawing Board. “What experiences have had the biggest influence on you and how you choose to live?”
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by”
Robert Frost
Who knows where the questions will lead you? No guarantees. No mistakes. All learning. Explorers are we.
“Who knew?”
More words of my friend and partner Sarah.
Who knew that you would be exactly where you are now?
In those exact same shoes. With that key, to that door, in your pocket. With that memory, of that time, in your head.
Make Like A Rolling Stone.
(Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll Optional)
In our last FEW meeting with the author Leza Lowitz, Sun & Moon Yoga, we listened to her share her story of adoption, yoga and finding home. Here. There. Then back again. So. Much. Change. She then took us all on a journey. On the magic carpet of mindfulness. I don’t know where you went (I’d love to know! Please tell me when next we meet) I went to a few places. And heard Bowie. More on this later.
“Ch-ch-ch…changes”
David Bowie
R.I.P. Wonderful Human
I zipped through space and memories and things to come.
Choices. Changes. Fads. Phases.
Evolutions. Revolutions.
Things that unfold magically. Things that shatter spectacularly.
The best laid plans.
Bowie’s changes were outstanding.
So are the ways trees change throughout the year.
Shaken bare.
Bursting bloom.
There’s going to be change.
Make them fabulous.
Make them fun.
Make them.
“And you may ask yourself… how did I get here?”
Talking Heads
When in doubt, draw
(Nope, not biased at all)
There was a swelling in my chest when the new year started.
The excitement.
The visitors.
The parties.
Unplugging.
Merriment.
Mama over to stay.
So much food and love and wine and wonderful.
I was full.
Full to brimming.
And sensitive all over.
So I did what I always do. I sat down to draw.
Drawing to digest it all.
Drawing to process the world. The wild ride of human experience.
Our special events director, Helen Lewis, friend and fellow writer, likened this to breathing.
Experiences.
Every moment. Every day.
In. Out.
Drawing: Reflecting (in) Exp
ressing (out)
Here’s what I drew. And here’s what I discovered. A chapter for my book. A word for the year.
Services to look forward to in 2016
Online Drawing Course: Videos, Exercises plus a 1 hour 1-1 Skype coaching session with me
Drawing Classes/Creativity Coaching Sessions: Now available as a 3 month, 90 minute package
Excerpts from my book, ‘When in doubt, draw’
Discounts on services for members of FEW (For Empowering Women in Japan), TMG (Tokyo Mothers Group) and for Students and Sponsorships
New Service: Heirloom Drawings – Commissions dedicated to Heirlooms with Incredible Stories
If you’re unsure and looking for a way to:
Find A Way Forward
Release Stress
Discover Something New About Yourself
Make A Change
Integrate Creativity Into Every Day Life
Get Unstuck
Express Yourself
Reflect & Process Experiences
Spark New Ideas
Nurture Community & Collaboration
Discover something new through drawing. An extra set of tools for life’s toolbox.
Email for a free consultation: info@divyamariekato.com or head here to see what I can do for you
For the joy. Always worth it. Happy Halloween.
Thrilled to be collaborating with the incredible humans at LUSH Japan again.
Missed our last collaboration?
Head over here to see the video
Come celebrate Halloween with us at LUSH Omotesando – 2 minutes walk from Harajuku Station – stop by before your party!
I’ll be painting all day this Friday 30th & Saturday 31st. Created 3 special designs for you to choose from – you just tell me where to paint it!
Celebrating. For the joy. Always worth it.
Wishing you all a great Halloween and weekend ahead.
Ever draws,
DMK x
What can I do for you?
Head over here for my services and let me know what you need
Purple Motorcycle & Big F***ing Fence
Morning meditation.
Different for everyone. Drawing does it for me.
View through the fence.
A rose planted at the end of a vineyard row at Coco Farm and Winery, Japan.
A tradition of beauty and protection.
Roses and grapes are susceptible to the same diseases, so the roses, planted at the end of each row, serve as warning.
“We all have a purple motorcycle inside of us”
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem. In interview. Her book. ‘My life on the road’
this interview. This story. This woman.
For me and for my friends. The debt of gratitude we owe to those who went before.
Every step taken.
Not without the others.
Their contribution. Our foundation.
Cements what we stand on. What we continue to stand for.
“Open, gentle heart. Big, f***ing fence”
Danielle LaPorte
Protect your heart so that you can keep it wide open.
As I drew this rose, these words from Danielle LaPorte rose up to greet me.
I thought about my friend and entrepreneur, Tracey Northcott, giving a talk today about what she’s learned at the FEW (For Empowering Women) meeting.
I thought about my mastermind, clever rebel, friend Sarah Everitt Furuya and how she continues to make her way in the world as her own boss.
Feminism.
Still a long way to go.
And we’re going.
To freedom and fellowship.
Ever draws,
DMK x
Gloria Steinem Interview on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah
What can I do for you?
Head over here for my services and let me know what you need
Want to take an art class but have some questions? Have an idea for a commission for someone special?
Thinking about a creative workshop or event?
Email me at: info@divyamariekato.com for a free consultation
Collaboration with LUSH Japan for Henoko, Okinawa
Fantastic video from last week’s LUSH event for Henoko, Okinawa.
If any of you have the opportunity to visit this beautiful place, go for it!
Catching up on the latest news – the issue is currently escalating as the government pushes ahead with plans – we’ve been talking a lot about people power and our ability to influence and inspire change – love to hear your thoughts on taking action and standing for something – on ‘fighting’ and celebrating a cause
“What do you stand for and how do you choose to go about it?”
Also, the team at LUSH Omotesando are fantastic humans! I used to think that LUSH were ‘wafting soapy bubbles out onto the street people’ – enjoyed learning about all the thought and careful planning that goes into each and every product – gorgeous transparency, beautiful stories – I was given ‘The Olive Branch’ shower gel as a gift – made by Israeli and Palestinians – one example of love and care and community.
VIDEO: LUSH Japan Event for Henoko 2015
Incredible event celebrating Henoko, Okinawa at LUSH Omotesando. Wholehearted thank you to the incredibly hard working team at LUSH Japan. Maho Takahashi for her tireless organization, insight, dedication, passion and for inviting me to be part of this creative collaboration celebrating Henoko with body painting.
Paint Design (top to bottom) Sun, Sky, Mangroves, Rivers, The Bay and The Sea
The cycle explained to us when we visited – making up the extremely rare and diverse area of Oura Bay, Henoko – everything connected and dependent.
Risa, manager in training of the Omotesando store, as my beautiful model – beautiful inside and out – thank you for being such a joy to work with
Friends who came out thank you -everyone who gave us smiles and waves, popped in to say hello, checked out the amazing photography exhibition by local Henoko diver, Nishihira-san – could you believe ll the weird and wonderful creatures of Oura Bay?!
Everyone who came in to talk, ask questions and find out more – Big thank you from me and all the team from LUSH – we celebrated Henoko well!!
With love to all in Henoko, Okinawa
DMK x
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Can Drawing & Creativity really impact & inspire me, my school or business?
Don’t take my word for it, read more stories on the Inspiring Stories page here to find out how Creativity inspires change & growth, its essential role in education & personal & professional development & why it should be
Accessible to All
Liked this? If this helped or inspired you, please pass it onto a friend or someone you feel it could help uplift.
How can I best help you? Click here for my services or drop me an email: info@divyamariekato.com for a free consultation. Ever draws, DMK x
100 Drawings! Big love thank you to all who have shared so generously.
Over 100 Drawings since I first started this creative exchange.
On the day I finished drawing 100 I remember sitting there for while. Me. A smile. A heart swell. Then the tears fell.
That’s how I knew.
This means so much to me.
Humbled by all the stories. A big thank you to everyone who has shared so generously.
Onto the Book!
Onto the Documentary.
End of the Drawing A Day Giveaway.
The Drawings will continue.
To purchase and view all of the drawings created as part of the exchange head over to the Drawings for Stories page here.
Ever draws, DMK x
