About Kieuly

Born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in 1980, my parents, two sisters, and I lived an immigrant’s lifestyle. We had a simple life in a one-bedroom apartment. My mom created numerous delicious meals out of leftovers. Food containers became our Tupperware. Plastic grocery bags became trash bags and storage bags. The dishwasher was our drying rack. And hand-me down clothes and second-hand furniture became our fashion. We saved money by reusing and repurposing whatever was available to us.

Perhaps this immigrant upbringing has influenced how I live my life today. I continue to live a thrifty and humble lifestyle — one where I enjoy using my creativity to turn “trash” into things of beauty or usefulness. As such, everything I create have some element of reuse and/or repurpose. They also reflect my love for nature, animals, lightheartedness, and the deeper meanings of life.

Some folks might call me “pollyanna” because I tend to see the good in situations (some might even be annoyed by it!). I, however, am not always bright and cheery. I’ve had my days of heaviness; Through my bouts of depression and seeing others suffer, I realize I cannot depend on people to lift my spirits. Family and friends can provide love and support but, ultimately, only I have the power to bring myself out of mental imbalance.

My desire is to lift myself and others out of misery, sadness, and suffering. Everyday, we can choose grateful thoughts or miserable thoughts. And because I prefer to feel ease, I choose to create art that brings forth inner peace, laughter, and a sense of wonder. I invite you to join me in practicing love, kindness, and gratitude everyday — for yourself and others.

May you enjoy browsing through my website. Please connect with me regarding any feedback, comments, and/or inquiries. I would love to hear from you!