ivanlo, Author at Rayna Lo

May 9, 2022

Stickermule Custom T-Shirt Review with my Ollie Character Design

This post is sponsored by Stickermule. As always, all ideas and opinions are entirely my own. Hi! Cat mom here! My fur baby Ollie--who I adopted on March 2021 from Marblehead Animal Shelter--has brought so much love and joy into my

November 20, 2021

Divine Intervention – The Commission that brought me back to myself and helped me heal

Art, Traditional Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Culture

By ivanlo

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Divine timing. This commission request came to me at such a particular time in my life. I was going through a painful breakup and also mourning the loss of my mom. The abject pain from the compounded grief was paralyzing.

November 14, 2021

Before I say yes to a creative job, I ask myself these simple questions.

Tips and Advice

By ivanlo

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AAPI creative small business, POC art business, Rayna Lo Art, AAPI artist, Women of color arts business, Asian entrepreneurs, Asian American small arts business, Support Independent artists, Taiwanese American small business, Asian hustle network, Support living artists, Freelance artist, Simple strategies for artist, Support small arts businesses, Local Greater Boston artist, Simple questions to ask before taking on new work, Support independent art businesses, Local New England artist business, Considerations before agreeing to new freelance work, POC small business, People of color arts business, Creative business strategies, BIPOC small businesses to support, Young Asian American Pacific Islander small business owner, When to say no to a creative project, Women of color small business, ACE NextGen small business owner, Woman owned business, Artist business life, AAPI small business, Local small arts business, Minority owned business

I used to think that I had to say yes to every project, especially as an artist that’s just starting out. This mindset definitely comes from my upbringing where my Asian immigrant parents would share stories of how they had

November 3, 2021

Thoughts on the Social Media Rat Race – The Illusion, The Fleeting Validation, and the Trap of Chasing Followers and Likes

Tips and Advice, Current Events

By ivanlo

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Support artists, Local small arts business, Women of color small business, Artist thoughts on social media, Asian arts vendor, Support small business, POC art business, AAPI small business, Social media toxicity to artists, Asian branding identity for small business, Rayna Lo Art, Women of color arts business, AAPI creative small business, Facebook and Instagram down, Local Greater Boston artist, Asian American small arts business, AAPI artist, Social media platform dangers, Local New England artist business, Support Independent artists, Asian hustle network, Asian entrepreneurs, Pitfalls of social media, People of color arts business, Support living artists, Artist creative content creator, Taiwanese American small business, Fleeting validation of social media, Young Asian American Pacific Islander small business owner, How to support artists, Visual art engagement, Stop chasing followers and likes, ACE NextGen small business owner, Support small arts businesses, Massachusetts artist, Freelance artist, Social media meaningless metrics, Asian female Taiwanese artist entrepreneur, Support independent art businesses, Massartist, Visual artist, Social dilemma documentary, Woman owned business, Branding for small Asian creative businesses, POC small business, Watertown artist, Independent art freelancers, Minority owned business, How to amplify local artists, BIPOC small businesses to support, Greater Boston artist, Artist small business life

Instagram and Facebook went down for almost a full day at the beginning of October. If you have a business or want to start a business, this is the clearest sign that we should not be putting all our eggs

October 12, 2021

How to Look at Chinese Calligraphy if You Don’t Know What the Character Means

Traditional Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Culture, Art

By ivanlo

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Take a good minute to focus on the artwork. Look from top to bottom and side to side. Try to look at the artwork as is and suspend any judgment. Move your eyes along the ink strokes and observe the

October 7, 2021

What to Consider when Setting yourself up as a Vendor for an Art Market

Art, Tips and Advice

By ivanlo

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Taiwanese American small business, Asian branding identity for small business, Art vendor checklist, Modern Chinese calligraphy, BIPOC small businesses to support, Independent art freelancers, Children’s book artist, Cute Asian style art, Rayna Lo Art, Checklist for art vendors, Building art community, Women of color business, Artist small business life, Kid literature artist, Local Greater Boston artist, Checklist for market vendors, Planning art experiences, Women of color small business, Asian arts vendor, Bear Mindful, Local New England artist business, Support Independent artists, Art fair checklist, Developing art experiences, Asian American small business, Asian character designer, Freelance artist, People of color arts business, Support living artists, How to prepare for art markets and fairs, Creative experiences engaging youth and teens, Asian American Pacific Islander heritage, Asian character design, Made in USA, Visual artist, Young Asian American Pacific Islander small business owner, Support art business, How to sell your products at art markets and fairs, Facilitating creative experiences, Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month, Asian character products, Local small business, Stevens Coolidge House and Gardens, ACE NextGen small business owner, How to support artists, How to create memorable art experience, AAPI small business, Asian concept art, Woman owned business, Things to do in Andover Massachusetts, Design for Asian businesses, Support small arts businesses, How to create brand awareness, AAPI creative small business, Asian style conceptual art, Minority owned business, Outdoor nature activities to do in Greater Boston, Asian artist for hire, Support independent art businesses, Relevant tips for art markets, AAPI artist, Asian female artist entrepreneur, Support artists, Beautiful gardens in North Andover, Young Asian artist for commissions, POC business, How to make a successful art market experience, Asian entrepreneurs, Branding for small arts businesses, Support small business, Outdoor art markets, Contemporary Traditional Chinese calligrapher, POC small business, What to bring to art markets

Congratulations! You get to sell your artwork as a vendor at a market and/or fair! Okay, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to put your products out there and here are some tips to help you create a successful

August 27, 2021

Five Simple Questions to Ask if You Don’t Know How to Articulate Your Art

Tips and Advice

By ivanlo

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You artwork may not always speak for itself. In this case, it’s helpful to clearly articulate why you created it and how you did it. Know that your audience may never fully understand your art as their art experience can

Reasons to Draw – Simple Ways For Me to Connect with Myself and Rest my Weary Mind by Rayna Lo

June 21, 2021

My Reasons for Drawing – Simple Ways For Me to Connect with Myself and Rest my Weary Mind

Illustration, Tips and Advice

By ivanlo

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The past few months have been really busy and I am taking some much-needed time to reconnect with myself. June is a little slower with school being over and people enjoying a much-needed summer vacation, especially coming out of a

May 25, 2021

Beam Therapeutics Panel Discussion for AAPI Heritage Month – Going Back to My Pharma Community to Talk About Our API Experience

Social Justice, Current Events

By ivanlo

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Asians in biotech, Beam Therapeutics, How to talk about the Asian experience, The Asian experience in life sciences, Asian community in pharmaceuticals, Rhoshan pharmaceuticals, How to speak up about the Asian experience, The Asian experience in biotech, Asian community in life sciences industry, Finch Therapeutics, South Asian experience, Asian diversity in pharmaceutical industry, Alexion, Indian culture, The wealth of knowledge Asians bring to the industry, AAPI Heritage Month, Sri Lankan culture, Asian food and Asian culture, API month, Korean culture, Rayna Lo Art, Our food is our love language to the world, Asian heritage month, Panelist discussion on Asian culture, Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month, How to learn more about the Asian community, What being API means to us, Asian culture perspectives within the pharmaceutical industry, How to be an ally to the Asian community, What being Asian means to us, Asian cultural perspectives, Taiwanese culture, How to understand privilege, What does Asian culture mean, Asians in pharma, Rayna Lo blog, Diversity and inclusion, What does Asian culture entail

Today, I had the honor of being a panelist to talk about the AAPI experience. Thank you to Beam for creating a safe and open space to discuss our unique experiences. Also, thank you for allowing me to teach a

May 20, 2021

A Trip to Japan Without Leaving our Home – Iwakura Sushi Kaiseki with Washoku Renaissance

Food

By ivanlo

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Event celebration ideas, Support API business, Hassun, Japanese food in Boston, Sushi, Shogun feast appetizers, Support Asian small businesses, Nigiri sushi, Japanese cuisine, Matcha truffle, Omakase, Asian Pacific Islander heritage month, Massachusetts Oysters, Private dinner experience at home, Food reviews, Kaiseki, Chinese culture, Support small business, Fatty tuna toro, Chef comes to your home, Calligraphy art with food, Chawanmushi with Maine uni, Taiwanese culture, Support BIPOC businesses, Japanese squid, Unique Japanese food experience in Greater Boston, Chinese calligraphy food art, New England lobster, Rayna Lo Art, Ikura, Japanese food experience, Japanese calligraphy with food art, Miyazaki wagyu A5, Japanese culture, Smoked tuna, Rare finds in Boston, Spoon calligraphy, Yakimono, Scallop, Unique dining experience ideas, Keiko’s sweets, Gohan, Menu design artwork, Ora king salmon, Special dining experience, Birthday celebration, Mushimono, Menu illustrations, Dashi yuzu soup, Bringing the restaurant experience home, Support AAPI small business, Wanmono, Washoku renaissance, Spicy miso vinegar

Back in March of 2021, I started planning a celebration for my partner’s birthday that is in May. March 2021 was still in the midst of the pandemic and we were unsure of when vaccines would be available to the

Protect Our Elders Sticker for Boston Chinatown by Rayna Lo

April 6, 2021

Fight Anti-Asian Hate Fundraiser for Boston Chinatown – Protest Violence by Funding Asian Organizations!

Social Justice, Illustration

By ivanlo

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Support Chinatown, Art with heart, Fight anti-asian hate, Artists funding the Asian community, Stop AAPI hate, Support Chinatowns, Art with passion, Fight Asian racism, Artists funding underserved communities, Stop racism against Asians, Support Asian artists, Art with a commitment to serve, Fight AAPI hate, Artists love the Asian community, Fight for Asians, Support Asians, Art that serves, Protect our elders, Model minority myth, Celebrate Asian culture, Art that gives back, Protect Asian communities, Support Asian businesses, Artists supporting a good cause, Celebrate Asians, Artists that give back, Protect Asian women, Artists with a purpose, Recognize Asian contributions and achievements, Artists supporting Asian organizations, Fund underserved Asian communities, Artists doing good, Love us like you love our food, Artists creating products for charity, Dismantle white supremacy, Rayna Lo Art, Art for good, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Artists that donate to charity, Asian Americans for civil rights and equality, Cabbage the tiger, Art with a purpose, Fundraiser for charity, Artists that support the Asian community, Anti racism education, Bear Mindful, Art with a soul, Fundraiser to support Asian communities, Artists supporting the AAPI community, Stop Asian hate

Over $400 was raised for Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center!!! I am beyond grateful for everyone’s purchase of the “Protect Our Elders” sticker. 100% ($5 per sticker and all $5 was donated) of your purchase went directly to BCNC to help

March 13, 2021

Sticker Sets for Women’s Month – 100% Proceeds Donated to Abby’s House!

Social Justice, Illustration

By ivanlo

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Support women owned businesses, Women entrepreneurs, Women supporting women, Show up for women, Support Asian women businesses, Boston Artist, Unstoppable women, Gender equality, Taiwanese women, Support AAPI women, Girl power, Violence against women, Given women a chance, Women’s rights movement, Made by women, Domestic violence, Boston arts, Women’s shelter, Rayna Lo Art, Boston Women’s market, End homelessness, A safe place for women, New England artist, Boston women’s advancement, Women’s achievements, Celebrate socioeconomic achievements of women, Month of March celebrations, Women’s history month, Give women a chance, Raise awareness against bias, International Women’s month, Empower women, Women’s reproductive rights, Take action for equality, Happy women’s day, Educate women, More opportunities for women, Challenge gender stereotypes, Happy women’s month, Inspire women, Women’s rights advocate, Abby’s House, Celebrate women, Immigrant women stories

March is International Women’s Month. I think we can all agree that the world has made progress in terms of acknowledging the value women have in our society. But, the truth is, there is a lot more work that needs