Here is the B side of my Christmas Card.
In this summer, Madeline (=my favorite model;) quickly changed again to “Paul Stanley”! WOW! He is my GUITAR HERO, too!! Very NICE job, Madeline!!
Below is my message to you, in December of 2024! I hope you all having wonderful holiday season!
Rin Tanaka

A few month ago, I asked my saxophone teacher:
“Rusty, how can I play like John Coltrane?!”
Most TENOR sax players dream of playing like him. Sure, me too, but someday I’ll do it!
My 75-year-old professional musician smiled:
“Rin, You should keep (and sharpen) your own style, not Coltrane ways…..”
Listening to his advice, I suddenly had a flashback to 26 years ago in 1998 when I had just started a new career as a editorial photographer. Honestly, I had no confidence in myself, because I, as a writer, had worked with many excellent photographers…
One day in around 2000, an American (not Japanese) photographer gave me the BEST advice ever:
“Rin, if you want to survive in this country, you should keep your ORIGINAL style in any situation.”
Since that moment of inspiration,  I changed in a big way. I decided to push “my style” to the limit in my books and events, because… everybody is looking for “something different,” right?!
The Inspiration LA 2025 show will be held on 4/11-12/2025. My main goal is always to create a VERY ORIGINAL show with over 2,000 attendees. Fortunately, my exhibitors and customers are always very stylish in their favorite fashions. PERFECT!  My secret goal is… that many ladies will be inspired to say: “Rin, your show is soooo good! I’d like to kiss you!! “…Really?!

Rin Tanaka
Long Beach, California
Winter of 2024