From Childhood Dreams to Artistic Triumphs
A Love Affair with Imagination
The Tug-of-War Between Science and Creativity
As a child, I embarked on an artistic journey, submitting acrylic paintings to magazines and competing in Chinese calligraphy contests. While I received some recognition, the true credit goes to my dad, who opened the magical door to the art world for me.
From an early age, he encouraged me to express myself through paint and sketches, providing notebooks and paints as my creative companions.
A talented artist himself, he adorned our home with captivating still-life portraits and immersed me in the world of Chinese calligraphy.
With his guidance, I honed my skills, learning from the greats like Monet and John Singer Sargent and exploring various mediums like acrylic and oil. My passion for art became my inner sanctuary, but I set off on a different path in the outside world, initially drawn toward science during high school.
A Tale of Two Passions: Balancing Science and Art
Around the dinner table, my dad, a scientist, and my sister discussed approved drugs, pharmaceutical markets, and groundbreaking therapies in the life sciences. I yearned to help people and struggled to reconcile the artist and scientist within me, but I knew I had to follow a steady and stable path.
I embarked on a journey through college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Yet, the call of art never ceased
My hand itched to sketch, and during rare moments of respite from studies and exams, I sought solace in the library, creating art that resonated with my soul. As I drew, painted, and released my creativity, I realized that art was integral to me, something no conventional career could fulfill.
The longing for art persisted, and around my junior year, I decided to pursue art as a minor, embracing my adventurer's spirit and thirst for diverse experiences.
The Longing for Art: A Soul's Unfulfilled Desires
After college, I sensed that my love for art was reaching its apex. My work life couldn't fill the void despite attempting to suppress this desire. It became clear that a lifelong career in the scientific field wasn't my true calling. While important and intriguing, science didn't nourish my soul like art did.
Since childhood, I have been sensitive to the world's intricacies, delving into understanding things on a "molecular" level, even if intangible. I sought to comprehend the world's workings and the interactions among people. My journey of growth and learning continues, and I find solace and healing in art during times of confusion and sorrow.
I explore my creativity through writing and indulge in an insatiable appetite for books in my free time. Long walks in nature help me connect with the world's beauty and find inspiration for my art.