I can’t fully explain why Japan has held my interest since my first visit more than 15 years ago. Maybe it’s because the land of the rising sun feels like an assemblage of everything that inspires me about Asia – the food, the orderly rhythm of daily life, the respect and politeness, and those sudden bursts of intense colors and cacophony of sounds.

Japanese design speaks to me. It’s often minimal, but not always; it can also be playfully naïve in a way that, at least to me, feels both approachable and empathetic.

Out of that fascination and curiosity, I began sketching a series of playful Japanese motifs for T-shirts – a garment I still wear almost daily and can now use as a ready-made canvas. I’ve created about ten designs so far.

A few weeks ago, a Thai photographer friend in Bangkok pointed me to a small print shop that does direct-to-garment digital printing. Their prices are fair, the cotton is decent, and the turnaround is quick – perfect for testing a short run and refining the line as I go.