Dancer, calligrapher, photographer, designer, engineer, writer, entrepreneur, dots connector, novelty chaser, vibe curator, tea lover. 🍵
Hi, I'm Bonnie
My story
I was born and raised by a newly-immigrated, multi-generational Chinese family in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada.
It took me 6 years to get a Bachelor's degree in math & computer science. Then, I spent another 6 years working at Google as a frontend web engineer. The highlight of my time there was working on Google's core design system: Material Design. I burnt out spectacularly during the 2020 pandemic, and finally quit 2 years later.
To reconnect with my creative self, I attended life drawing sessions. Then I tried my hand at painting. Then glasswork and neon. Chinese calligraphy. Typeface design. Literary translation. Darkroom photography. Probably three more disciplines by the time you read this.
These days, I'm learning how to work for myself as a creative entrepreneur. It's challenging me in ways I never expected, and the growth is both painful and fulfilling. I live with my partner and my dog in Queens, New York City.
with my baby, a beagle named bowser
Some Things That Shape How I See the World
Scorpio Sun / Leo Moon / Pisces Rising
Movement is everything.
I've been dancing since 2007 (sophomore year of high school), when dance saved me during my darkest period. It taught me that what the body holds is nothing less than magic to the mind, and that self expression saves lives. It's why flow and rhythm aren't just aesthetic choices in my work; they're foundational principles.
Language is alive.
Growing up speaking Cantonese while learning to navigate English, and then French, gave me an early appreciation for language. Now as I'm learning to read Chinese, the visual poetry of every character leaves me in awe.
Neurodivergence is a creative superpower.
My ADHD brain might not be built for corporate productivity, but it's perfectly designed for seeing connections others miss, for diving deep into creative obsessions, and for envisioning new paradigms to improve human life.
Interviews
- December 2024, Creation Station: Calligraphy with Broward County Library
- July 2024, Tell Me About X with Christina Giordano
- June 2024, Cantonese Diaspora with InspirLang (Jade Wu)
- May 2023, Creation Station: Painting with Broward County Library
Exhibitions
- June 2024, DON'T Film Screening and Art Event, Brooklyn, NY
- July 2023, Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Brooklyn, NY
- June 2023, Awita New York Gallery Opening Group Show, Brooklyn, NY
- May 2023, HelloTittie 7th Annual Creative Chicks, Brooklyn, NY
- May 2023, Asian Americana: Comfort, Brooklyn, NY
- October 2022, NYC Vibes Art Exhibition, Brooklyn, NY