There was a time when birds were the main subject of my paintings. I’ve always loved traveling. I envied the birds because they were able to go anywhere without baggage, passport or tickets. They became my way of expressing a longing to explore, to be free. In a way, it felt natural. My Chinese name, Yen (燕), means “swallow”—it is a migratory bird known for its grace and distance. That connection made painting birds feel like second nature.

As life moved in new directions, so did my art. This swallow no longer roamed as freely as she once did. With that stillness came a change in focus. My creative direction shifted—from outward symbols to inner reflections. The birds quietly flew away, and in their place, a more personal language began to unfold.

This archive features a selection of those earlier works. They remind me of where I started, and how each step has shaped where I am now.