The biggest fish in the river gets that way by never being caught. In life, there are many daily challenges, distractions, problems, hang-ups… that are trying to catch us. Our spirit, our resolve, our hope… challenged daily by the nature of life itself.
Over the last 4 years in Atlanta, I’ve built a whole world for myself through art, business, and gathering the community under the umbrella of the arts. I started as a tattoo apprentice and swam through many challenges along the way - setbacks, failed business ventures, haters, and backwards corporations. I didn’t do everything perfect along the way, but I can say that I never gave up on myself no matter what. I kept swimming to my next destination, whether that was my next tattoo, painting, or task that just needed to be done. Just kept swimming. I opened my store “Blooms Emporium” in June of 2023, and I began to go through the process of learning about business, sales and branding. I don’t like to talk about failures or just the general obstacles that are constantly needing to be overcome in business, but I know everything that I’ve had to overcome to get the business off the ground and to the place that it is now… I know because I was there… early mornings, late nights, constant work… everyday to keep it going and to continue growing. Running the business allowed me to travel to Europe to study and experience renaissance artworks, as well as Taiwan to reconnect with my cultural roots and to find inspiration from my homeland for the next chapter in my life as a visual artist and designer. Everything that has happened has led me to this point now, ready to bring something new to the world through all of these amazing and insightful experiences.
Is It The Fish or the Pond?
They say that a goldfish will grow in relationship to the size of the environment it is in. It is the same with Koi fish. The main question I’ve been exploring in my life recently has been this exact question: Is it the fish or the pond? What is the glass ceiling? Can it be broken? Is my life the size that it is because that’s what it is? or is it because of the environment I have agreed to inhabit? What are the true boundaries of my life? and what would happen if I did everything within my power to find myself in the biggest pond imaginable in my life?
This is the question I am setting out to answer in my show, “Big Fish.” I am taking all of the experiences I’ve had this year and just jamming them into this collection of paintings. I can’t say too much at the moment about this show other than I cannot wait for the world to see it (and I can’t wait to see what happens myself). I will be showing a completely new collection of works as well as a new collection of custom apparel that me and my team have been working on. The show will take place at Gallery Anderson Smith in Atlanta, GA and the opening reception will be on the evening of September 27th, 2024. There will be a VIP & Collector exclusive opening from 7-8pm, and the public reception will be from 8pm-11pm with a fashion show at 9pm.
To anyone who has purchased an original piece of artwork from me: you will be receiving an email invitation as well as a physical ticket for the VIP reception. Please be on the lookout! The public RSVP will then be sent to anyone who is subscribed to my email list, so please be on the lookout.
Dynasty RISES
In December of 2023, I opened my tattoo and art studio concept, “DYNASTY.” I had invested over $10,000, all the money that I had made from my Pokemon art show into opening this space. Unfortunately, the space that I moved into did not work out and I had to shut my concept down and move residencies after about a month of getting everything set up. This was probably my first great career heart break… but I just had to wipe my hands clean and move forward. I felt at that time I was supposed to just focus on Blooms Emporium, so I put the DYNASTY idea away in a box for a later time. But, as time as gone on, I am so excited to announce that I have a second chance to create the DYNASTY that I’ve always wanted. The space I have moved into is perfect! It’s secluded all of my itself with ample room for tattooing, painting, production and so much more. I’ve been spending the last week moving into the new space and getting everything together, and even did my first tattoo in there just the other night.
I am very excited about this space and to share this space with the world… so again, be on the lookout woooooo.
CHINATOWN MARKET 2024
I don’t know really how this happened but over the last 3/4 I’ve been telling everyone that our Atlanta Chinatown needs a breath of fresh air. After all this time and a bunch of random conversatios and experiences over the years I have been given the opportunity to curate a market that will highlight artists, vendors and musicians in the Atlanta AAPI community. The idea is called “Chinatown Market” and the whole purpose of the event is to give a space for artists and entrepeneurs in Atlanta to shine and also to bring attention and awareness to the Chiantown foodcourt, which I myself and my family have been going to since I was a young boy. My intent is to use my platform and my ability to gather creatives and artists to help generate business and forward motion for every party involved. Me and my team have just finished up the curation and branding for the event, and we’re set to announce everything next week. The market will take place on Saturday, August 24th from 12-4pm. Expect an eventbrite here in the next few days.
BUT YEAH….
But yeah but yeah… a lot is going on but it feels like not that much is going on. I realize now entering this new season of my life how much I’ve grown and how much stronger the last 4 years has made me. Constant work, constant improvement… one little thing at a time… then you look up and realize, wow, this is great. I am stepping into the purpose of my life, the reason for my existance… walking my path and continuing to discover that’s really going on here in this crazy thing we call “life.” Thank you for reading and supporting all of these little adventures I’m going on. Hope to see many of you at any of these great times coming… peace
Andrew