There is plenty of stigma against being an art major in the Asian-American community. My Asian immigrant parents never considered being an art major “practical”. From the first day that I said I wanted to go into art, they have always doubted me and told me to focus on something that will make me money. I gave in, I entered college as a computer science major, and I hated it.

I decided it was time to live for myself and I switched to the design program at Seattle University. I finally felt happy. My parents’ doubt lit a fire under me. Proving my parents wrong by doing what I love and becoming successful as an artist is what keeps me motivated.