The Origin Story (1993 - 2009)

I was born in Wenzhou, China—a city world-famous for producing unstoppable entrepreneurs. I guess business acumen was literally encoded into my DNA from day one. In 2009, I moved to New York to join my parents, ready to see what this legendary city had in store for me.

The College Debate (2011)

I graduated from Newcomers High School in Long Island City. Like a true stubborn artist, I had a massive argument with my parents just to let me go to college (they wanted a more "practical" path, classic!). Guess who won? I secured financial aid and proudly marched into CUNY Queens College.

2015 May: Entering the Sloth Era 🦥

Oh man! I thought turning 22 would be all about parties and fun. Instead, my whole world decided to collapse during my birthday month. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, lost in a "running mind." At my first therapy session, I literally forgot my own name and birthday. It took me a full 10 minutes to fish them out of my head. Seriously, a sloth reacts faster than I did!

2015 July: The Great "Voice-Off" & The Cashier Hustle 🔇

After 15 days of treatment, the voices in my head finally hit the mute button. My mind came back! Since continuing college seemed impossible at the time, I grabbed a copy of the World Journal (世界日报) and landed a cashier job.

The Realization: I quickly learned that the longest unit of time in the universe is the gap between staring at the wall clock and... still staring at the wall clock. But hey, I survived the meds, the boredom, and earned my own paycheck.

The Plot Twists & The BFA Upgrade (2017 - 2022)

Life loves a plot twist. After a brief symptom relapse and a random pivot to getting a real estate license (why not?), art pulled me back. Two years after dropping out, I walked back into college.

I didn't just graduate; I survived a brutal BFA review while battling med side effects and wanting to throw up from nerves. I officially upgraded my degree to a BFA, with a professor calling me completely "self-motivated."

Then came the pandemic, teaching kids to draw online, fighting with family over street vending, moving out solo, marriage, trying for a baby, another relapse, and a divorce. Talk about a hectic chapter!

2022 - Present: S-Corp Boss & Finding "The Other Side" 🚀

Everything finally clicked. I incorporated The Other Side Arts Store Inc.

Today, you can find me vending outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), turning my personal journey into vibrant cityscapes.

I have experienced many "blues" in my life. But slowly, I started to see other colors, and I painted them into the New York sky. Through my brand, I want to be a small light for anyone facing their own dark times. Welcome to The Other Side—where we choose our own base colors.