Mindfulness and Aesthetics

I was born and raised in the United States and completed my undergraduate studies at Colorado College. My graduate studies took me to Italy and Japan, and I earned my degree from Sophia University’s Graduate Program in Comparative Culture in 1987.

I first came to Tokyo to study Nihonga, a traditional Japanese painting style, and later pursued graduate research in Buddhist painting. As a painter, sculptor, performance artist, and writer, my work is deeply rooted in aesthetics—exploring perceptions of beauty through cultural, historical, spiritual, and poetic perspectives.

For many years, I taught "The Book of Tea" by Kakuzo Okakura at Waseda University, guiding students through its philosophy and artistic sensibilities. I have also taught courses on mindfulness, incorporating readings from Thich Nhat Hanh and Jiddu Krishnamurti. In these classes, we read original texts and engage in discussions about their meaning. Additionally, I lead short meditation sessions, offering students a calm and reflective learning experience—one they often appreciate as a peaceful way to explore beauty and awareness.

Watch Tutor presentation