6. Selected works (2022)

Finally, at the end of 2021, I retired and wasted no time getting into the studio.

Years of experience as a teacher and company trainer had helped me understand that “real” talent is a combination of knowledge, skill, and innate qualities, all of which must be carefully and diligently cultivated over time.

My years of working in both Hong Kong and China’s mainland taught me that when an individual puts together meaningful ideas in a creative, inspiring, and unique way, audiences, whether a classroom of adolescents or a group of middle managers, will engage. I also realised that audience engagement is a positive emotional response, and understanding this on a psychological level is essential.

However, there was another nagging issue: age! Was there enough time to do what I needed (and wanted) to do? I was well aware of my own personal shortcomings in terms of knowledge and skill. Regardless, the time had finally come. I had a small studio, and now I had time and determination.