"Hoa lài cắm bãi cứt trâu" or "a jasmine flower placed in buffalo dung" is a common Vietnamese phrase used to express pity for beautiful women in ugly situations. In this story, I wanted to share a story of a woman who exchanged her happiness for a financially comfortable life—for both herself and her family. Many Vietnamese women are expected to sacrifice their marriage for the family by marrying into rich families. If they move abroad, they are expected to send money home. Mothers work overtime at nail salons or restaurants not only for their children, but also for their families back in Vietnam despite their ungratefulness. To uphold the image of prosperity, some resort to living a fake life online or avoiding their loved ones all together. As children of immigrants or immigrants ourselves, there is an undeniable distance between parents and children, whether it be a generational gap or a cultural difference. But how often do we stop to explore the other person’s perspective? How often do we share the stories that make us who we are? I wanted to share this fictional story about the struggles of Vietnamese women moving abroad for marriage to shed light on the unrealistic expectations that are held in our home country and the shattering reality of life. I hope we can be more vulnerable with each other to better understand each other. Without judgment. But with love. I hope you enjoyed reading this! Thank you so much for your time.

I got a redwood branch, sanded it, varnished it, glues a section of leather and went around the part I want to bead, usually towards the upper middle of the stick. Then I started the beading process, glueing the top of a string to the leather, going around with beads and beading each bead into eachother (a three bead drop peyote stitch) with different pattens, including creating my own humming bird pattern. I was taught this process by my Potawatomi grandpa, who named me nanokas (hummingbird), inspiring my pattern.

I'm an overthinker, someone who worries a lot about mundane things and constantly comes up with all kinds of theories. This illustration is a glimpse of the inside of my head when I aim to phrase a comment with the right inflection, deliberate over the best way to display 5 photos on a square paper, or chew over how to cross my leg--right leg over the left or left leg over the right. The intricate clutter of haphazardly constructed buildings reflects this bustling mental energy, like a dozen half-formed conclusions branching from one idea.

As human beings, we all go back to where we started. Depending on your religion, we are given back to the Earth through the ocean, which is represented by the cloth, or soil, which is represented by the flowers. This piece is to show the circle of life and death, Samsara. Samsara is a term used in Hinduism to depict reincarnation. After death, a human is known to be reborn with the same soul, but in a different body. This piece shows a twist of a classic still life image, which I clicked. Instead of going along with traditional black/white or the colors represented in the picture, I chose to tint the entire piece with the color blue. Because blue had an interconnection with the emotion of sadness, and so does death, I thought that this would a great way to enhance a still life piece into something a little more creative.

My second semester of junior year I was coming to the conclusion that I was transgender. This was a very challenging realization for me because my mother is schizophrenic and bipolar and she left my life about 3 years ago. I realized that I needed and wanted someone to teach me the things I never learned but then I realized that was never going to happen. I fell into a deep depression realizing that I would never have the mother I needed and I was continuously overwhelmed by my PTSD and anxiety. I stopped going to school and no one really understood why so I made this piece to help explain it while also helping me work through it.

This piece is an attempt to put into imagery the complexities of living in the U.S. The man depicted in the image holding a burning newspaper in what looks like a typical American home is symbolic of the "classic" American life burning to ash. The newspaper symbolizes a multitude of things, global warming, social and political turmoil, the economy, or anything else interpreted by the viewer.

I've always been fascinated with the importance of material objects in everyday life. Most people don’t really pay attention to things around them, but every object tells a story, whether that be an old stuffed animal, a random t-shirt, or the Sprite at the back of the fridge. These objects show who you are; they represent one’s interests and hobbies, their routine, community, past, etc. - everything that makes up their identity and history. With this piece, I sought to explore how ingrained electronics have become in the modern day. The amount of screens emphasizes their importance, and the images on the screens show a glimpse into the subjects life. I used graphite, a black and white medium, in order to really emphasize the harsh contract between the dark room and the blinding light from the screens. That, in addition to the hand reaching out of the screen, represent the harm that these particular objects can bring to our physical and mental wellbeing despite how vital they have become.

These poems were all written over the summer, inspired by my connections with the world around me. The first poem connects a thunderstorm I experienced in Missouri with the virtual world, describing the undercurrent of fear that runs through both. The second poem references my own incomplete sense of belonging, tying it both to the desert landscapes of California and the unknown vastness of outer space. The final poem is a reflection on what it's like for the memory of someone to be forgotten. Drawing upon the real examples of roadside cemeteries, I try to contemplate the impermanence of memory and the ease with which it is hidden.

This is a cover of Kenny Barron's Magic Dance. The piece holds a special place in my heart, as Barron's playing inspires me to reach new expressive heights. I've had the pleasure of learning from Barron at the Stanford Jazz Institute, and his instruction has instilled in me the importance of humility and connection that is at the core of jazz.

By directly observing still life objects (a model skull, a succulent plant, an apple), I used pencils to create a stylistic 3D work off of my interpretation.

Through this artwork, I wanted to show my love for Shoujo anime.

As I grow, I leave behind the childhood that I have created, the nostalgia living only in my memories.

This artwork balances simplicity and skill, embodying a delicate harmony.

I made this artwork for the Inktober prompt Day 27: Sparkle.

Delta Sleep has been one of my favorite bands and a huge inspiration for my drumming the last 1-2 years. I think these two songs (Lake Sprinkle Sprankle and After Dark) are exceptionally challenging with frequent time signature changes, intricate hi-hat work with interesting choices for grooves.

I created my piece to be about space.

I wanted to recreate the popular fluffy, cloud-like dessert that was popularized in Japan and all around Asia in a painting.

A creative exploration of Sockeye salmon throughout years of pivotal changes in art.

This is a self portrait of my STAY side of myself.

Flower bring happiness to my life and being able to draw all the details and having free space to do whatever lines and shapes I would like.