Lucinda Wei Lucinda Wei

Embracing Winter's Warmth: A Cozy Tale from the Big Apple

I hope this message finds you well and cozy as we step into the winter season. I wanted to share a little adventure I had recently on the East Coast, celebrating Thanksgiving and a belated birthday in the bustling heart of the Big Apple.

I hope this message finds you well and cozy as we step into the winter season. I wanted to share a little adventure I had recently on the East Coast, celebrating Thanksgiving and a belated birthday in the bustling heart of the Big Apple.

As temperatures dipped below freezing, my sister and I bundled up and embarked on a delightful exploration of the winter market pop-ups scattered around the city. The brisk winds reminded me of the importance of staying warm, and I found myself the lucky recipient of a thoughtful gift—a snug pair of fingerless mittens and a matching hat.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of window shopping, we made it our mission to sample hot chocolate from different restaurants. We sampled a Mexican spicy hot chocolate at Max Brenner's—a true winter delight with a hint of heat that warms you from the inside out. It brought to mind another comforting favorite, my homemade ginger lemon tea. When I'm under the weather, this tea is my go-to remedy. If you fancy a taste of coziness, the recipe awaits below. Let me know your thoughts if you decide to give it a try.


Lucinda-Wei-food-illustration-ginger-lemon-tea-recipe

Ginger Lemon Tea

Ingredients:

  • 2 large thumb of ginger peeled

  • 4 Meyer lemons peeled and quartered

  • pinch of cayenne pepper

  • pinch of turmeric (optional)

  • honey

  • hot water

Instructions:

  • Blend ginger and lemon until smooth.

  • Store mixture in a glass jar. Keep refrigerated.

To make the tea:

  • Add 2Tbsp of the ginger lemon mixture, cayenne pepper
    and turmeric into a cup.*

  • Add hot water.

  • Add honey to taste.

*If you don’t like pulp, you can filter the tea through a sieve.


Enjoy and stay warm!

Lucinda

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Happy Birthday, Moneypenny!

Happy Birthday Moneypenny! It's been two years since we found you wandering the neighborhood in pretty bad shape. But look at you now - full of silly grins, lap cuddles and boundless energy.
We often ask her if she is happy being part of our family. If she could talk, we hope she’d say yes.

Lucinda Wei happy happy birthday stack of cats with party hats and  with balloons, pennant banners and presents

It's been two years since we found you wandering the neighborhood in pretty bad shape. But look at you now - full of silly grins, lap cuddles and boundless energy. 

We often ask her if she is happy being part of our family. If she could talk, we hope she’d say yes. 


How did we meet?

Lucinda Wei illustration from sketchbook of dog named Moneypenny in blankets surronded by flowers

Late one night while my husband, Dave, was walking our dog, Connery, he came upon a little dog that could barely stand. She was skin and bones and had the look of having recently given birth. We decided to take her in for the night.

That night, we fashioned a makeshift bed of blankets and towels for her. She slept for hours, devouring any food or water we offered, and she even collected all of Connery's toys. Connery didn’t know what to make of her and observed her with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty from his cozy spot on the couch.

The following day, we took her on a walk around the neighborhood, but no one recognized her; and she showed no interest in finding her puppies. Furthermore, anything she ate seemed to pass right through her. Concerned for her health, we rushed her to emergency care, where we learned she had pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection. The price for immediate emergency surgery was $8,000. This wasn't something we could afford.


Options

So the alternative options presented to us were:
1. Put her back on the streets and she would eventually die from her condition.
(FYI, this wasn’t even a consideration for us).

2. Go to a low-cost clinic that wasn't currently open and we would have to wait 2 whole days. We were nervous to wait but decided it was the best option for us. With the help of generous family and friends, we were able to take her. Her surgery was a success, and the rest is history.


Lucinda Wei Art illustrated mug and photos of Dogs named Moneypenny and Connery

Night & Day

After her recovery, Moneypenny underwent a remarkable transformation. Despite being estimated to be around 13 years old, she embraced life like a playful puppy. She adores everyone and insists on being the center of attention. Food holds a special place in her heart, except for bananas – she's not a fan!


Until next time!
Lucinda

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Lucinda Wei Lucinda Wei

Welcome and Thank You

Welcome! Thanks so much for signing up for my newsletter. Let me introduce myself. I’m Lucinda and I’ve enjoyed making artwork since I’ve been a little girl. I have always followed my heart and passion to create art. Pursuing this as a full-time career goal was not easy for my first-generation Taiwanese immigrant parents to accept, but I’ve made it here! And I’d like to say that they are proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.

Welcome! Thanks so much for signing up for my newsletter.
 
Let me introduce myself. I’m Lucinda and I’ve enjoyed making artwork since I’ve been a little girl. I have always followed my heart and passion to create art. Pursuing this as a full-time career goal was not easy for my first-generation Taiwanese immigrant parents to accept, but I’ve made it here! And I’d like to say that they are proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.
 
Yes, this newsletter has been a struggle to get started. (Has the pandemic derailed your best-laid plans as well?) But moving forward I hope to keep you updated with what’s happening in the studio (and my life); give you sneak peeks into new artwork in progress; and inform you of new products that have launched and where you can find them.


In the Studio: Spotlight

Along those lines, I’m excited to announce that I have a spotlight in the latest Uppercase Magazine! I’ve been unable to locate any copies locally so please let me know if anyone has seen it. I’d love to know.

My Own Garden of Creativity
When I cultivate my garden, I carefully prepare the best components by using vermicompost, vegetable scraps and waste to feed my worms that in turn create castings that naturally fertilize my soil. Similarly, when I cultivate creativity, I carefully prepare the space and environment that’s ideal. If I set aside time to explore, play and experiment without any expectations, I am free to make a mess, make mistakes, and discover a new way of creating. When I nurture my garden, I carefully observe the cycle of life: how bees, birds, and butterflies interact with my plants. Similarly, nurturing creativity has required me to recognize what inspires me. Not only does observing nature allow me to relax and enter a creative mindset, it inspires me as I watch the constant change of the insects, leaves, buds, flowers, fruit.


Hot Off the Press

My paintings have been reproduced as prints available exclusively in Belk stores!

Lucinda Wei Art illustration watercolor blue flowers in vase framed vs work in progress

(left) Framed 12"x12" print for Belk. (right) Original watercolor painting on paper.

(left) Original acrylic painting on canvas panel. (right) Framed 12"x12" print for Belk.

Keep an eye out in your local Belk store and if you happen to find these prints, I’d love to see a photo of them in your space. Send it to me and I can feature your photo on my Instagram! Follow me! @lucindawei


From Canvas to Product

Check out my new 2022 line of Blue Blossoms products at Demdaco.

Lucinda Wei Art illustration blue blooms painting in the studio

(above) Original watercolor painting on paper. (below) Blue Blossom soup crock & bowl cozy, Bon Appétit cheese board and rectangular spoon rest for Demdaco.


Snail Mail

Lastly, if you signed up with your snail mail address, you should have received a 2021 holiday card and I hope you loved it as much as I love my studio helpers (Connery and Moneypenny). The “children” who help inspire me every day. If you missed out and want one, go ahead and reply with your address and I’ll make sure you’ll get a 2022 card.


Hope you enjoyed this brief update.

 
Until next time!
Lucinda

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