Born in Vietnam, my family and I came to the United States as refugees in 1981. At the time, we were commonly referred to as “boat people”, a moniker that I’ve often drawn inspiration from. Despite the challenges of assimilation and an enduring sense of displacement, growing up in southern California proved to be a transformative chapter in my life. My first introduction to art came in the form of murals, graffiti, comic books and animation. In numerous attempts to create my own heroic characters, I developed a passion for drawing. I still think it’s magical what one can do with just a pencil and paper. More importantly for a kid that felt like an outcast, drawing became a means of transcending language barriers and cultivating connections.In 1994 I attended UNC Charlotte with the hope of becoming an illustrator. It was not until the end of my sophomore year that I fell in love with painting and decided to pursue it after graduation. I am grateful to be working as a full time artist today. My work can be found in several galleries around the country, including Lark & Key Gallery, which I co-own with my wife Sandy Snead.Besides exhibiting my work in galleries, I’ve also explored a variety of avenues and applications for painting. From creating public murals to painting live on stages, to collaborating with writers and musicians, it’s important to me that my work is accessible and far-reaching.