I think about why I started drawing and feel so grateful for this gift that keeps me grounded, connected, sane.... and realized it all comes back to expressing my creativity in a way that heals and inspires. Staying connected to my heritage as a Chinese American is important to me and I try to express it in a way that touches the hearts of those who feel the same...to preserve a healthy respect for the culture while evolving with their surrounding environment.. I didn't anticipate or understand how my art affects people...actually, I still don't fully grasp it! But hey, it's a pretty cool feeling to know that I can contribute and give back to this world somehow.
I wanted to share with you my latest piece called 'Safe Travels', the Chinese characters collectively represent a saying people say to one another when they are about to travel somewhere far..on plane, by boat...perhaps even by boat...I started to think about those who paved the way for us to be able to travel and represented the background image with a washed, yet distinct ancient Chinese sailing vessel or 'Junk' that's been through harsh waters and beyond....
This is two parts. One part painting a picture of adventure from a modern Chinese perspective...and second part journey through the unknown. Now I'd like to share (and reshare) with you the story that still makes me choke up..it's weird...yes weird..but in a good way...
How I started my art journey ....
The first icon I created was Sunni, a simple yellow sun, was intended to bring some smiles..he has a mischievous, yet comfortable face...I remember being so excited, I shared this with all of my friends...specifically my friend Arthur who worked at a mental facility of sorts and shared this printed image with a patient. The woman was depressed, I believe suicidal, and Art shared this with her. Turns out, she kept Sunni by her side and in times of darkness, he was there with her to make her smile.
My first ever art post of Sunni
Here's what my friend Arthur told me in 2010 of the patient
'She is doing well; she is actually working with a group in Hawaii doing some type of marine work/study. Maybe, the sunshine you brought into her life that day subconsciously encouraged her to head towards the sunny, happy, islands of Hawaii (who knows).'
