​This is so true. I do believe that we were all born creative, we were brought up with crayons, paint and loads of wonderful creative toys. We got our fingers dirty, we explored different medium and never questioned if it was good art or bad art.

But as we get older our school curriculum changed and we were told that if we weren't good with academic subjects then we were inadequate. But yet intuition and creativity is the highest form of intelligence.

To take it one step further, I do believe that creativity such as art, music, photography are just as important as literacy.

As an artist, I know we are guided by our intuition and we are good at solving problems because we think beyond the horizon. I also know that creative people cope well under pressure because we are imaginative and we are comfortable with the the unconventional. Therefore to cast creatives as inadequate in a conventional school system, would be the worst thing to do to their self confidence. 

Just imagine if art classes are just as important as academic classes, wouldn't the world be more balance? The society will be function at it's maximum potential because everyone is given a chance to enhance their gift to better the world.

Here is a quote that adds to my argument that Creativity is just as important as literacy.
Mr. Robinson, an international education adviser said "Creativity is as important now in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.”

So my dear creatives, I do believe that we need to change our school system so that there is more emphasis in the field of art. We are not made from the same mold and let's embrace our differences instead and utilize our talents to make the world a better place.

With honor in mind and in spirit,
all my best,
Ting xoxo

Hello friends, Forgiveness is a difficult topic.
Not forgiving a person is a heavy burden. When we keep these negative emotions, we are hurting ourselves spiritually.
If you don't forgive, the hurt and the betrayal may eat you up for years to come and in the end you really are just poisoning yourself.
Someone I was very close to has betrayed me, it took me years to not feel the pain. I prayed continuously for a connection again, I even painted about it.
The connection never got rekindled but the clarity came. The clarity was that I were to forgive but not to forget. The lesson was for me to realize that I need to accept the situation, forgive myself and the person.
I also realized that I didn't want her in my life anymore because her betrayal has caused me a lot of pain and the toxic relationship is not conducive to my life and the people around me.
It took me eight years to learn this lesson. Finally I have made a decision and I do believe it is the answer from my prayers. It is o.k to forgive but not forget.
With honor in spirit and in mind,
yours truly,
Ting xoxo

Hello creatives, If you have an artistic skill, count it as a blessing. Make sure you utilize your skills in the best of your ability. You can either make a business out of your talent or you can make extra income to fund your vacation, or put money aside for your kids' education.

I have been working as an artist for 17 years in various degrees. When I was a part time artist and at the  beginning stage of my art career, the income I made from selling my artwork went back to funding my art supplies and vacation. I felt empowered that I was able to utilize my talent to create freedom and it gave me a sense of pride and independence. I felt like everything was possible and I was right.

12 years ago I became a full time artist and art has become my livelihood. So creatives, don't ever take your painting skills lightly because you can actually create a viable business from your artistic talent. But in order to create a good income from your skills you also need to create different revenue streams by offering different products.

I live in the Rocky mountains, so needless to say my gallery sees a lot of tourists and they are definitely seeking for handcrafted treasures to bring home. One of the things they are looking for are T shirts, so my husband, Paul and I designed a line of 14 T-shirts and totes catering to their needs. And I am happy to announce that they are very popular.

So creatives, think beyond the canvas with your artistic ability, think about what else can you offer as a product. Sometimes art prints and originals are not what your audience are looking for, they might be looking for something that they can use or wear.

I implore you to explore the possibilities with your skills and write down a list of things that you can either design for a certain purpose, or make into gift items. <3

With honor in spirit and in mind,
Ting xoxo

With Hello friends,
life has it's ups and downs. But sometimes you might be stuck in the downs for a long time, you try to be brave and endure the negativity. You may lie to yourself and tell yourself that things will get better. But sometimes it just doesn't.

Remember you can't change a person or a place but you can change your attitude and your situation. So my friends if you are caught in a predicament that have lasted for years, it is no longer a predicament anymore, it is your life.

I have met many girls that have made the necessary changes to find happiness. It takes courage, but is so doable, and I am proud of those ladies that have picked up their courage did the right thing for themselves. Bravo my friends, find your wings and soar high.

This painting is called Courage, it was painted because it was inspired by a girl that fought for her happiness. 
https://www.tingyuenart.com/courage-print.html

This is the story that goes with Courage:
Courage
"In this painting, the girl is gaining energy and courage from the moon while surrounded by a kaleidoscope of dragonflies which symbolize change. Courage was inspired by a customer of mine, who wrote me recently expressing how some of my works have inspired her to make the adjustments that she needed in her life. She explained to me with much sensitivity how her old lifestyle wasn’t serving her well anymore and she knew she had to make some drastic changes. So she picked up her courage, gathered her energy, abandoned her familiarity and forged into the unknown with fearlessness and determination. Her strength has prevailed and now she has made the transformation into self contentment and happiness, hence Courage was painted. "

I hope you have enjoyed this my friends, remember to take courage to make the necessary changes in your life. You are worth it! 

Please share this with a friend that might just need a little reminder. Or if you have taken the steps to find happiness through courage, please leave me a comment below I would love to hear from you.

With honor in mind and in spirit,
Ting xoxo

​

Hello friends, You may be an artist, a spiritual healer, a musician or a writer, whatever vocation you are in, remember to create work from your heart.

When you create with a sense of purpose and in a place of service, your work will speak volume and make lasting impact that nourish the world. Show your vulnerability because your words and wisdom may be someone's saving grace.

My painting journey started when I was going through a challenging time of my life and I needed an outlet to express myself and since writing was not my choice of communication, I decided to give painting a try. The moment I picked up a paint brush, I felt like I have "come home" so to speak, it just felt right and that is how I started painting my "Artist Diary" series.

Naturally as my work progresses, I started selling my art and it became my livelihood. That is when I began to write the stories to go along with them. At that time, I was a terrible writer but through practice, my writing skills did improve and I am forever grateful for what I have learnt through my art journey.

By doing the duo skills of painting and writing, I have discovered that the expression and meaning of my stories are just as important as my images. The stories breathe life into my work, they are the connecting factor, they also eliminate the guessing game. From that stand point, I started marketing my work through the combination of both visual and words because it is effective. It helps me to share my messages with the world

I am very fortunate that my work have helped many people through hard times or served as a catalyst in their transformation. I may be doing a small service for my audience but to me no matter how small it is, it is worthwhile. 

As an artist I do feel very fortunate that I live in a country where I have the freedom to express my vision. I choose to make my work meaningful and share my vulnerabilities because through my joy, pain or accomplishments, I may find a common ground and connect with my tribe. 

So I implore you to think about your art as your platform to be part of a positive growing society. Relate with your customers and ask them what it is about your work that speak to them. You may be surprised that it may have nothing to do with the image but everything to do with the meaning.

I think as humans, we really just want to connect and relate. So use your art as a catalyst for positive impact, use it to guide and educate. I know if we use our gifts to raise the universal consciousness, we will be able to make a difference in the world with our art.

with honor in mind and in spirit,
Ting xoxo

Hello friends, I have been away for a couple weeks, visiting my parents. It was an emotional time for me because both my parents are elderly. I know my time with them is limited and I tend to get emotional about people that are dear to my heart.

Today's topic is not an easy one. The painting above is about my mom Mei, she has dementia.  Mei lives in a senior centre in Victoria, Chinatown. She is losing her memory slowly and she comes in and out of reality throughout the day. My mom had a fall recently and had recovered from her hip surgery but it had definitely affected her memory condition.
It is very hard to see my mom in this state because she was such a strong person before, she had all the courage in the world and the tenacity and the wits to go through the most difficult of time. Seeing my mom deteriorating is extremely heart breaking. So if your loved ones suffer from dementia, remember to call or visit them more often because the more contact you have with them, the better it is for their mental health. Even just a phone call a week will make a difference. We need to keep reminding them that they are loved and ever so treasured in our hearts.

Although it was a difficult visit but it was so nice to see her. My mom loves dessert and of course we spoilt her with many little treats from the Chinese bakery. My husband, Paul was so guilty of that, my mom was showered with boxes of treats the entire visit. Now that we are back home again, mom has returned to her regular diet and so have we. :)

I know I am losing my mom soon and I am having a hard time with it. I would like to hold on to mom much longer but it is not up to me. So my friends if you have a relative that suffers from Dementia, remember treasure the time you have with them because they are not going to last forever. Please share this with a friend that may need a little reminder <3

With honor in my mind and in spirit,
Ting xoxo

It is time to think about changing your passion hobby into a full time or part time gig.
When this happens:

When your friends have asked you if they could purchase some of your paintings.

When you try to squeeze painting time into any time slot possible, i.e. before work, after work, before meals, after meals, weekends or just anytime possible.

When your paintings can earn you extra income for vacation or emergency funds.

When you apply for art shows, your artwork get accepted, not just one piece of artwork got chosen but multiple pieces.

When you know your skills are more than adequate. 

When your full time job is starting to kill your spirit.  

When painting is the only thing you think about constantly, it is like you were spell bound by a Love Arrow except it is the Art Arrow!

If you agree with most of the above statements, I believe it is time to transform your passion into a part time or full time gig. 
I remember when I started painting, it was the best feeling I have ever had and to this day I still can't describe the euphoria that I get when I am painting. It gives me a sense of purpose, a challenge and it also provides me with a self reliant happiness. Painting in general just makes me feel like I am doing the right thing, my life purpose, my calling.

So here is the question: Do you want to make your Painting hobby into a business or even a side hustle?
And if the answer is YES then the best thing to do is to start asking yourself a few important questions, this way you can ensure that you are on the right track on making your dream into a reality.

Can you afford to be a painter right now and make a living from it?

Do you have to keep your full time job at the moment and build a side hustle with your passion?

What are you planning to sell? Original paintings? Cards? Prints? Art Gifts?

At what price range would you like to sell your product?

Which platform would you like to build your website on? 

Which Social Media platform would you like to drum attention up for your art?

Would you like to open an art gallery?

Apply for gallery representation?

Showcase your work in Co-op?

or solely sell your work Online?

Perhaps you would like to do some Wholesale shows and sell your prints and art through gift shops?

As you can see there is a lot of things to think about before taking the plunge. But there is also a lot of ways to sell your art. And I do encourage you to think about your passion and if you want to make it into a business, answer those questions that I have set up for you and see if you can come up with a strategic plan to make it all happen.

This is the path I took.
I have been in your shoes, 18 years ago my painting career started out as a side hustle, I was selling my art through galleries and shows. 6 years later, in 2007 my husband, Paul and I opened our own gallery and I became a full time artist.

All I know is that, after 12 years of being a full time artist, I have never regretted taking the plunge I have no regrets even if it is challenging at times. I think if it is in your bones, it will stand the truth of time and you will ripped the benefits, the highs and lows of being a full time artist.

And most of all you have the courage to do something that is unconventional and solely for your passion and that says a lot about you as a person and also for the importance of art and what it represents in this world.

I wish you all the best in your endeavors, if you have any questions in regards to starting a side hustle or a full time gig with your art, please feel free to ask. I will be writing more on this topic in the next few weeks and I can answer those questions for you on my blog. Take care my friends and I wish you a productive and creative day!

With Honor, in Mind and in Spirit,
Ting xoxo

"If you are serious about changing your life, you'll find a way. If you are not, you'll find an excuse." Jane Sincero.

Hello Friends,  I painted The Parade IV when my husband and I found ourselves in an unfavorable situation where we needed to pivot our course. You see Paul and I love adventures and since we own a business together we bring our business along to wherever our hearts desire.

We have moved our business 7 times
For the 20 years that we have been in business, Paul and I have moved the business 7 times, all the way from the Caymans to Golden, B,.C. Canada. The feat was never small, although when we were a very small business it was definitely much easier. But as we grow as a business our move has become a lot more complicated. Most of the times when we make a move it is usually because we want to better our lives and the sustainability of our business. 

The Sustainability of our Art gallery
We are fortunate enough that each place that we have moved to, we were able to make a living and more but since we focused on small towns, the business' life line can be very sensitive and when bad economy hits a small town, it is no funny business, you need to act fast or sit around and be doomed. So with one of our many moves, we found ourselves in a town with so much social problems that our minds were boggled with worries and disappointments. BTW we did do our due diligence but by experience I have to say no matter how much research you do on a town, you won't know the underlining problems until you moved there.

The grief was such a shock 
I remember it like it was yesterday, the grief I felt when Paul and I opened our brand new gallery in our new town on our first day, we had never dealt with a situation that was so unpleasant and disparaged. So back to the painting above as you can see on this painting, the elephant is pulling my husband, Paul and I and our imaginary pets out of the storm.

If you are unhappy with your life, do something about it
Hence the reason why this quote by Sincero resonates with me. So listen my friends if you have ever get yourself in a situation that is not serving you well, you need to come up with a solution that is going to get yourself out of harm's way and get yourself into a place where you can continue to grow and be happy.
We are responsible for our destiny and we need to be mindful about our lives. For me it is quite obvious, I either make the changes that are necessary no matter how difficult it is or else I need to shut up about it.
​
No Guts! No Glory!
Seriously, it is similar to that "No guts, No Glory!" saying. So my friends, whatever it is that is not serving you well anymore, do something about it. Don't just sit around and complain because it will get you no where. Plus all that negative energy is just going to brew into a much bigger problem in the long run.
When was the last time you found yourself in a bad situation and how did you get yourself out of harm's way. I would love to hear about it. <3 Please leave me a comment or email me, I am here as your sounding board. 

With Honor, in mind and in spirit,
Ting  xoxo

Hello Everyone, the last few blogs I have been talking about humanity which is a topic that I am very passionate about. The other passion that I have a great interest in is ART, since you are on my website I am sure you are aware of that.

My other calling is to encourage creatives, like you to produce work and to help you along on your journey. Here, I  have created a video to teach you how to produce a large body of work. It is not as difficult as you think, it just needs a little strategic planning.

One of the easiest way to create a substantial portfolio is create work in Series. For example I have six series that I work with: Artist Dairy, Romance, Sisterhood, Seasons, Landscape and Animals. And just recently I have also started the Iconic Women Series.

The best thing for you to do is to find where your interest lies, if you love landscape then start with that topic and build from there. You will be amazed how quickly your portfolio will grow just by working in batches. With a large portfolio of work, you will be set to approach galleries and shows. Or if you have an entrepreneurial spirit like me, you can open your own gallery.

Enjoy the video if you have any questions please feel free to leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you. 

With honor in mind and in spirit,
​Ting xoxo

Hello my friends, Last week my blog post on Culture Power is about the mass shooting in New Zealand's Mosques on March 15th 2019, the terrifying ordeal happened when one gunman went into the Al Noor Mosque and performed a mass killing and continued his attack to the Linwood Islamic Centre. The reason behind his massacre is because of the differences in culture and religion.

Life bless us with the Yin and Yang, the duality of the good and evil, pain and joy and past and present. The duality shows us the double sided coin, in this incident, the other side of the coin was this human angel that stopped the armed killer from continuing his rampage of destruction. Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah was praying with his four children at the Linwood Islamic Center on Friday when the gunfire started. Abdul instead of cowering and save guarding his children, he went after the gunman and confronted the shooter in order to protect not just his children but also the rest of the prayers in the mosque. When he was praised for what he has done in the mosque he said:"I got to be honest with you, it wasn't me, it was God that saved everybody. God saved everyone," he said.

Since we are made to the likeness of God, I believe that he was God at that moment. When Abdul was faced with a dire situation, he stood up and took charge. His selfless act was inspiring and it reminded us that the world is made of duality, there may be pain in this world but there is also joy, there may be darkness but it is counter balanced by light. I hoped that when I am faced with a dire situation like that I would have the courage to act upon it as selflessly as he did.

The painting above is called Guardian, it was my intention to paint this painting as a reminder to everyone of us that we have to be somewhat magnanimous. We need to keep each other out of harm's way and stand up for one another against injustice. We need to be united, love one another and be each other's Guardian Angel. It does not matter if the person that we stand up for is a stranger or a loved one because we are responsible for each other's well being. If we continue on the path of enlightenment, the world will eventually heal itself and one day we will live together in a more harmonized path.

If you resonate with this post, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you on the duality of life. 

With Honor in spirit and in mind,
Ting Yuen xoxo