What inspired this award-winning work?
I wanted to do a piece that was a tribute to one of my favorite bubble tea spots called Mee’s. It’s in a New York City neighborhood called Chinatown. The area resonates with me as a Chinese American.
How did you come up with your idea?
One of my favorite memories is walking to Mee’s with a friend. The sun was setting, the golden hour of light was just beginning, and I felt so happy. I’ve done that walk many times, but for some reason that one specific memory stuck with me. So I decided to illustrate the warm, nostalgic feelings associated with that day. I looked at Google Maps to accurately render the buildings. The rest is based on my memory.
What was your working process?
I used a program on my iPad called Procreate. The application has a brush called “Stick Man,” which allowed me to draw angular geometric shapes. I put down a base layer of neon colors. Then on top, I sketched the major shapes. I added layers of color, working on the most detailed parts first—like the figures and the façades of the buildings—working front to back. To make it more cohesive, I added a translucent red layer on top so everything is tinted red. The warm reds and oranges represent the lanterns and buildings in Chinatown, and the glow of the setting sun.
What did you want the viewer to take from the work?
Mee’s closed during Covid. And I don’t talk to the friend in the picture much anymore. Things change as time passes, and I was glad I could capture this cherished memory. My hope is for viewers to experience memories like this that they can hold on to as the world changes.