Happy Chinese New Year

Two pugs, Aiko and Tofu, are dressed in traditional Asian outfits. One pug is wearing a geisha costume; the other is wearing a traditional red Chinese vest for the lunar new year. The symbol for Double Happiness hangs above them.

This year, the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival begins January 29 and so I thought, what better way to usher in the new year than with some adorable photos of dogs in costumes?

When I first launched my “Double Happiness” dog portrait promotion1 in 2023, I went with a photo booth concept. With some light and furniture upgrades, I’m really happy with how it’s evolved. At the heart of it, Double Happiness is a celebration of dogs, happiness, and what happens when you bring two dogs together—double the joy (or double the trouble, depending on how you look at it)!

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“Smartist” App Review

Artwork: “Step Into the Light” with Matilda the Saint Bernard © 2022 Jenn Lin Photography

One thing you learn in real estate is that a well-staged home will help you sell it faster and for more money. It’s the same for art. Hang a work of art in the wrong place and it just looks odd. Stage the art—surround it with colours, frames and textures that complement the art—and all of a sudden it looks amazing and like it belongs. But what if you don’t have access to the right space or the resources to help you achieve this? In comes the “Smartist” app.

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10 Books to Inspire Your Inner Artist, Find Your Flow, and Fly Like This Eagle

Here’s a list of 10 of my favourite books. These are the books I return to whenever I need a reminder on how to make magic. If you’re like me and you like visual art, stand-up comedy, tennis, and psychology, this list is for you! PS—if you buy any of the books via the links below, I might get a commission ;)

Art Matters by Neil Gaiman & illustrated by Chris Riddell – Just in case you need a reminder that your imagination can change the world—PICK UP THIS BOOK! I love, love, love Neil Gaiman and his speech on making good art… whenever I feel lost about what direction I should take with my art, I think about whether it takes me closer or farther away from “the mountain.”

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