As an immigrant from Taiwan, I have found comfort in the U.S. by setting up bookshelves in every home in which I’ve lived. I arrange fluffy animal figurines in front of my books, as well as framed photos of loved ones and objects or drawings inspired by my dogs. This act of arranging and rearranging decorations still provides me with a sense of grounding and belonging.

I explore this personal ritual through my paintings. My still life displays incor-porate everyday objects, ceramic sculptures, drawings of mine, nature-themed fabrics, and animal shaped trinkets, transforming them into miniature surreal landscapes where real and imaginary scenes coexist. Using distinct borders or frames, I create multiple worlds within each painting, employing diverse painting techniques like flatness, trompe-l’oeil, and thinly applied paint to allow each world to offer its own truth or reference to reality. This interplay generates humor, tenderness, healing, and a sense of companionship and admiration for animals. My work celebrates the connections we share with our surroundings, nature, and the animals in our lives, highlighting the joy and tenderness they bring.