Modern Japan may commonly be thought of as the home to large cities with high-tech, sci-fi-esque qualities, but looking at its long history, it is clear that Japanese culture is greatly founded on nature and the profound connection of mankind with the rest of the natural world. Nature, and our place as humans within it, has often been the crux of Japanese poetry, art, and religion, and still remains one of the greatest existing themes today.

Japanese artist Miho Hirano is one of many modern artists that stunningly incorporates nature into art. A graduate of the Musashino Art University and a resident of Abiko, Chiba, Hirano creates ethereal oil paintings portraying women submerged with nature.

With soft touches of color and delicate brushstrokes, her paintings depict women amidst flora, swallows, fish, insects, and other aspects of nature on her stunning canvases. In addition to her official website, she also has a large following on Instagram and Facebook, from which fans can enjoy all of her published artwork.