May Happenings 🌸
Greenpoint Open Studios, fun collaborations, a new plush keychain, and moreeeee
929: AAPI Creatives Spotlight
929 is a cocktail bar in Midtown Manhattan inspired by Mando-pop and Canto-pop. For the month of May, they’re featuring 4 specialty cocktails each inspired by a different AAPI creative in New York. I’m incredibly honored to be one of the people that they’re spotlighting and to have my very own cocktail!
I tried my drink a few weeks ago and love how savory it is. Each ingredient included is based on a different city that I call home - Mozzarella and tomato for New York, rice vinegar for Shanghai (soup dumplings!), and Taiwan Beer + rice tea for Taipei. They even managed to include my figure on the foam :’)
This cocktail is only available throughout May so you still have some time to go try it if you’re around - let me know what you think!
SPACS: Before Arrival Closing Party, May 29
The group exhibition I’m currently part of, Before Arrival, is closing next Friday May 29 in New York. There will be a closing party from 7-9PM, and a ticketed wine tasting event from 6-7PM. I have 3 paintings in this show alongside a group of talented artists. Come by and say hello :)
Where: SPACS, 149 W 27th St, 3rd Floor, NY
When: Friday May 29, 7-9PM
Greenpoint Open Studios: May 30 & 31
Another year, another Greenpoint Open Studios weekend! My studiomates Irene Feleo, Greg Wilson, and I will have our doors open. Stop in to see we’ve been working on, browse available works, shop some merch, and enjoy some refreshments. A bunch of other Greenpoint artists will be opening up their studios, so you can make a day out of it.
Hope to see you there!
Where: 67 West Street, 606, Brooklyn, NY 11222
When: May 30 from 12-6PM, May 31 from 12-3PM
‘Lover’ Plush Keychain
‘Lover’ is the warm, fuzzy counterpart to my sold out Blueberry Plush Keychain and it is now available in my online shop.
Limited edition of 100 - each order will include a custom marker drawing. A perfect little companion for yourself, for the lover(s) in your life, or for anyone you know that might need a little extra love.
Part O.T. Plan Collaboration
Limited edition screen printed tote + acrylic keychain bundles will be available via Part O.T. Plan this Friday at noon on their website. They’re a group that works with artists to raise awareness about different causes. I actually collaborated with them in 2019, and this is our second time working together!
Available here on Friday May 23 starting at 12PM EDT.
For this drop, I’ve chosen Asian Law Caucus as the nonprofit that I’d like 50% of the proceeds to go towards. Asian Law Caucus is the first Asian American legal and civil rights organization in the U.S. They focus on serving low-income, immigrant, and underserved members of the AAPI community. I’m inspired by their mission, their values, and the work they do overall.
Interview w/ Part O.T. Plan:
We also did a little recorded interview as part of this collaboration, which you can check out on their substack. We talk about AI, being a freelancer, working in the public eye, and so much more.
I am usually quite shy about being recorded when interviewed but I really appreciate Alex for asking great questions and making me feel comfortable!
East Village Walls: New Mural
I recently got to paint this mural next to The Bean on 2nd Ave and 3rd Street in the East Village, NY. I experimented with shading using spray paint and it was so satisfying!
We (as in my partner Bryon and I) used the previous mural by LeCrue as our “grid”, which really sped up our painting process - we finished this one in 5 hours. It definitely looked a little crazy for most of the process with my design overlayed on the old mural.
As for the design itself - I’ve actually been sitting on this illustration since 2023. I made a little thumbnail sketch of it in August of 2023, thinking that it could make a good painting. For some reason I never got around to it, and I’m actually glad that I saved it for a mural instead. I felt like it was perfect for this wall and a nice way to welcome Spring into the city.
Thank you Ben from East Village Walls for invited me to paint this one! I’ve missed painting large outside 🥰
Recently…
Reading: Discipline by Larissa Pham, Babel by R.F. Kuang, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Watching: Hacks (last season noooo), Hai Tang (a cat that travels with his owner to different parts of the world, I find it super wholesome and a fun way to virtually visit other places)
Listening: Anchorsong, Paurro, Elevator Music
Dancing: Mark Morris, Public Service
Playing: Hello Kitty Island Adventure (not sponsored lol)