As a child of immigrant parents, it probably wouldn’t surprise you to hear that I grew up thinking I had to become a doctor or lawyer. But the truth is, my parents never told me I had to be anything in particular. I applied to every college undeclared. At Berkeley, I took a bunch of general education classes, trying to figure out what to major in. I tried economics—whatever the professor was saying sounded like an alien language. Computer programming? That was literally a different language...

As a teen, I won a summer art scholarship to take two classes at a local art college. One was a still life class, the other was a figure drawing class - a nude figure drawing class. I remember feeling intimidated, shy, and generally awkward - but I also truly enjoyed the experience. I’d drive to class every day - with my mom in the passenger seat. I’d walk in with huge pads of drawing paper and my supplies and get lost for hours in art. And then I’d leave after covering sheet after sheet with...

Hi Reader, I recently completed a painting of an autumn stream for our latest class inside Paint With Me, my watercolor membership. This painting turned out a bit more detailed and realistic than I initially envisioned. When I paint, I often have a loose, expressive style in mind, and I always aim to make progress toward that. But that’s the beauty of the creative process—no single piece is ever ‘final’ or ‘perfect.’ Each painting offers something to learn, a step forward on the journey. Even...