Up next is illustrator, designer, and muralist from New York City, Loe Lee. all profits of her piece “Peony” will benefit the non profit organization Welcome to Chinatown.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you're from / you & your family's background.
A: I’m an illustrator, designer, and muralist in New York City. I work with Fortune 100 companies and local businesses alike, adding a splash of magic to their projects and spaces. My representation agency is Gerald & Rapp Cullen.
As for my background, I grew up in an immigrant community both in Chinatown NYC and then in New Jersey. Because of that, resources and education about the creative industry was non-existent. It was expected for you to pursue a stable career/lifestyle, something my parents (and most families in my neighborhoods) never had coming here to America. It was a difficult decision when my parents found out that I secretly applied and accepted a design school scholarship for branding and advertising. Today, I do design and am a self-taught illustrator. Having seen how far I've come professionally, my parents have opened up their minds to the creative industry and my dad is even looking into drawing classes in his retirement.
Can you elaborate on the artwork you made: The story behind it . Personally, what does the art symbolize to you?
A: The artwork has a simple meaning: creating a moment of peace and serenity, even if it's just manifesting it from within yourself. It was drawn during the pandemic and a little bit of calm was something I was missing last year.
What does the organization you chose mean to you and why that specific one? Why do you feel others should be aware of it & supporting it as well?
A: The artwork has a simple meaning: creating a moment of peace and serenity, even if it's just manifesting it from within yourself. It was drawn during the pandemic and a little bit of calm was something I was missing last year.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Chinatown NYC has suffered dramatically - from the lack of foot-traffic (due to the "Kung-Flu") to the violent attacks on its elderly. My grandparents immigrated and lived in Chinatown with my parents in the 60's, and we have generations of family and friends in this community. Welcome to Chinatown is a grassroots project that has done an incredible amount for the neighborhood, from funding local businesses to providing public safety to its residents. They are an amazing group of volunteers and leaders that have day jobs and dedicate their outside time to the betterment of Chinatown. I've been partnering with them since last year, creating murals for local businesses and the community.