After graduating from HKUST, Jeanie worked in banking for several years but realized that this was not what she was longing for in her life. In 2009, she decided to give up her stable career to pursue her childhood dream of being an artist, despite the fact that she had never received any formal art training.
Jeanie has since produced four picture books – the stories and art work all her own – and showcased her exceptional creations in various shows and exhibitions, including one at the HKUST Library. She has also partnered with commercial clients including Starbucks, Page One, the Peak Tram and Sun Hung Kai Properties, as well as organizations like the Joyful (Mental Health) Foundation. The character she created, Oowa, is a well-known figure to the Hong Kong community.
Jeanie cherishes her time at HKUST. Her most valuable experience, the exchange out program, provided her with an opportunity to attend Boston College where she not only made new friends from different countries and culture but also broadened her horizons and learned to be more independent. There she also saw and fell in love with Monet’s original paintings, and they have greatly inspired her own work.
When others ask her about following their dreams as she did, Jeanie encourages them to strike a balance between making their own choices and not letting a "dream" become a "well-packaged desire". She recalls her own experience: "I kept imagining that being an artist was impossible, but if you take a risk you may find it not as difficult as first thought. On the other hand, you need determination. It is easy to do something for a day, a week or a month, but it may not be easy to do it for years or even for decades. But I believe the result of doing so will surprise you."
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