5 Signs Your Child is Learning in Preschool

It's difficult parenting little ones. There are so many parts of a person to consider, and when it comes to education, some of us have specific definitions of what it looks like when a child is learning. It can be frustrating and scary when our preschooler or kindergartner isn't writing their name or speaking as fluently as their peers. Kids do develop at their own paces, and may show their learning in different ways. The tricky part of seeing the successes of early education is how diverse it can be. Here are some ways a child can show that his or her preschool is teaching them:

1. Singing songs

Preschools use lots of music and art to build a foundation for learning. Songs can be used to teach the days of the week, numbers, shapes, and how to greet others in the morning. If a child is singing in the home, take note of the songs. Singing shows that your child is retaining information, and is enjoying their time at school.

• Songs for younger kiddos having a rhythm as fast as their heartbeat makes it easier to listen to and learn. That's why nursery rhymes are slower. They can also help calm children down.

• Songs can be used to give directions at home. Singing about washing up or eating dinner can make the activity more fun, and less stressful.

• It takes a while for kids to get tired of things they love, so singing their favorite songs during non-preferred activities might help make them more enjoyable.

2. Drawing

Since verbally expressive language is not well-developed early on, children can visibly show their learning and curiosity of the world through drawing. Asking open-ended questions or making statements about objective parts of the drawing can help facilitate more language and dialogue with your little one.

Some ways to talk about drawings:

• Tell me more about this (point at part of drawing)

• I see lots of (color)

• Let's make a story about (drawing).

• What happens in the picture?

• Which part do you like most about (drawing)?

A note on drawing when children are not writing *yet*:

Drawing and coloring are part of PREWRITING. Children need fine-motor skills to write well. Their hand and finger muscles need practice to hold a pencil, and using crayons is a natural part of a strong foundation to write. If you are concerned about your child not writing yet, practice a word or a letter at home each day until they master it. Try a few times a day and remember to make it fun and casual with praise for trying. Having art supplies and paper readily available can help promote prewriting skills.

3. Nonstop talking

Kids love talking about themselves and their world. Sometimes their grammar is incorrect, and they use the wrong pronouns. That's okay. Most of the time, young children will learn over the years and correct their word choice by hearing others speak properly. If a child likes to talk about certain topics, ask questions, or just listen. Hearing what your child likes to talk about can help see what your child is learning about or interested in. 

Some ways to promote conversation at home:

• Create a routine where you and your child have 1:1 time (maybe even five or ten minutes), where you check in about the best parts of each other's days. You can model the sentences and take turns talking. It can be at the dinner table or during bath time, but making it consistent can help establish a pattern for your child to talk more.

• Have prewritten topics in a jar. Ask your child to name words to put on the cards (so they are topics he or she knows about) and have your child choose one every day to talk about. A couple sentences about the topic can go a long way to increase your child's sense of success.

• Share stories as a family. After adults are done speaking, take time to listen to your little one as well. Often we forget to wait and let children share their stories. Asking open-ended questions can help develop your child's language skills.

 A note when children are not talking:

Sometimes children don't speak for their own reasons. If you are concerned, and your child isn't speaking, or does not have a similar-sized vocabulary compared to his or her peers, consulting with your physician or a speech pathologist might help. If you are concerned with emotional or behavioral reasons for why your child is not or suddenly stopped talking, contacting a therapist may help. I love working with young children with different ways of communication. Please call me today at (949) 381-1894 to see how I can help your child find their voice, and your parenting process. 

4. New Words or Phrases

Children are sponges for information, and little scientists. It can be frustrating as a toddler not having words to communicate, so when they do start speaking, new words are like a superpower. Many times, children will start talking or wanting to learn more about the same topic over and over again. Repetition helps the brain store information into long-term memory, so talking about the same topics can help a child feel proud of mastering new information. Hearing new words or phrases that aren't used at home can also show you that your child is learning from preschool peers or teachers. 

• Children sometimes say things like, "Teacher says..." or "Miss. (name) says this..." Sharing what other people say models learning from others.

• Memorizing lines in stories also shows children are learning. If there is an emphasis on certain topics, you can explore further details by providing more books on the same topic, or expand on areas of knowledge by introducing books related to different topics.

5. Playing with Toys

A child's natural language is to play. Play helps a child make sense of the world by modeling what they see, and repeating what they see at school can give a snapshot of what information is being learned. 

How to facilitate play:

• Have diverse toys available, and rotate them so children can stay stimulated. (puzzles, stuffed animals, blocks (very important!), pretend clothes, play doh, balls, sensory toys, books...)

• Take a look around the preschool or kindergarten and ask the teachers which toys are the most popular. See if you can find an inexpensive version of popular toys for the home.

• Ask your child which toys they love at school, and create a set together for home.

• Make play dates where friends can bring toys to share.

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I offer one-time consults on early education and choosing a preschool. Please contact me to see if I can help! (949) 381-1894

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Additional Readings:

Play: Is It Important For Children? - Organized Messes

How To Work Through Toddler Tantrums - Organized Messes

8 Ways To Promote Language in Young Children - Organized Messes

Finding Safety to Feel Strong Emotions...

Words can hurt us. Feeling misunderstood can hurt us.

Photo credit: seb kim

When the pain from the past creeps up, and we're met with the words, "You're still dealing with THAT?, it can feel like we're alone, and it can feel shameful. Our feelings and experiences are not being honored or validated at times because it seems like it is too much for others.

What are some reasons others would stop the sharing of painful things? Perhaps it is too much for others at the moment. It may bring up feelings of discomfort in others to see you in pain. It can be frustrations with not knowing what to do to make it better. Many times, people want to help, yet they are not prepared to do so. Instead of showing empathy, people can sometimes shut the emotions down because of this discomfort. 

It could also be societal norms that dictate which things are "more appropriate" to talk about in public. Stigma is very real, and it affects how many of us are allowed to share our personal experiences with others. 

So, what can you do to ensure you're able to process these feelings, and create a safe space?

Identify safe people.

Start with family or friends. Sometimes it will not be family, but people who have gone through similar things. Support groups, hotlines, or FaceBook groups might be a starting point.

Identify safe spaces.

Talking in loud, public places like the supermarket might not be the best places to share pains. Identify quiet, private places that you and the other person feel comfortable with having a conversation together. Think about confidentiality and if you want your information shared with people nearby.

Take a break to compose your words.

Take some deep breaths. Write your words down if it's easier to talk about how you are feeling, and what you need. Drinking tea, or a comforting beverage can help calm you down where you can write what's going on. It doesn't all have to be logical; the goal is to get the energy outside your body. Writing can help organize thoughts so when it is time to share, it can be easier to explain what you're going through, and what others can or can't do to help you during this process.

Develop boundaries.

It's okay to tell others how their behavior is treating you. Using "I-Messages", you can talk about how you're feeling when not given permission to share your experience.

"I felt disrespected/sad/(emotion) when [you said (x,y,z), you didn't listen...]

Offer opportunity for repair.

State what behavior you want, or how someone can show care. Lots of people do not know what to do to comfort someone in pain.

• "When I am sad, and need to talk, I want you to [x, y, z]. It would make me feel (loved, understood, important) if you did this. 

NOTE: If you do not know what you want/need from a loved one when you are upset, it is unfair to ask of it from them. If this is the case, take time alone to figure out what helps you improve your mood, and what helps you sort through your thoughts and emotions.

Small amounts of time.

Sometimes new information is easier to swallow in tiny bits. People need time to process as much as you do. If a problem has affected you for a long time, that means you've had a long time to think about it. Offer others a little more time to understand what you're going through by talking about it briefly every now and then. (In the meantime, you can write about it, or make art about your experience.)

Maintain respect for others.

Sometimes the best you can do is offer others compassion when they cannot understand you. You can still interact with people who do not get you; just limit how much you share, knowing that they will not understand. There can be other things to talk about. If you do not feel safe with certain people, then it is at your discretion to interact or not interact with these people.

If you're unable to find safe people after several attempts, keep looking.

Online support groups might be an option. Talking with a therapist for a short while can also be an option. Journaling and reading books related to what you're going through is also an excellent option. 

How do you make sure your feelings are being respected by others? Where do you go to talk about things that have affected you for a long time?

5 Things About Comikaze - Artists, Comics, & Cute Things

Ashley A. Woods, illustrator for niobe. she is super kind, and enthusiastic. I think she teared up hearing me speak on my love of art and children ^__^ thank you for representing and making an amazing story~ 

Comikaze is a convention created by Stan Lee where lovers of geek, sci-fi, tech, pop-culture, fantasy, video games, and anime culture could get together and share their interests. Yes, San Diego Comic Con and countless superhero movies (Avengers, Batman, Spiderman...etc) did put geek culture on the map for others to enjoy. Comikaze is a little smaller, with less emphasis on creating a geek and popular-culture community by and for community members. 

This was the fourth annual Comikaze convention, and I've attended the first and fourth year. It's amazing to see how much growth and cohesion a community can have within four years. I can't wait to go next year. Here are some photos from the event:

5 Reasons Why Comikaze & Other Comic Events are Awesome

1) You get to share a joy you have with others.

If you are a parent, you can share your geeky side with your kids, or get to know your child better by sharing in their joys and their world. :)

2) You can discover new interests.

Liking comics and/or anime can lead you to discovering you have an interest in certain video games, sci-fi or fantasy culture. It can be difficult finding venues that cater to specific interests, so these conventions can help you find what you're looking for and explore new joys.

3) You can connect with others.

There was a stronger stigma with geek culture in the past, and I acknowledge that things are getting better. Sometimes it can still feel isolating having the interests you have, and not being able to talk to someone about it. Attending conventions can help find your tribe. This does take some bravery to talk to strangers, though. After a couple conversations, maybe you'll start following each other on Pinterest or Instagram, and become friends in the future. 

4) You can support local artists.

This is important to me. When conventions get really big, it's not easy for local artists to get their art out there any more. Comikaze is still small enough where there's a huge section of the venue allocated for local and small businesses. I think this is important to help promote a healthy artist community.

5) You can fuel creative inspiration.

As a creative individual, seeing what others are making can help guide your creative process. You can ask each other for tips on materials, deals on production, and support each other emotionally and financially. It was awesome seeing artists freely share how they made their work, and resources they had on how to market. I think sharing tools keeps the community strong. 

If you went to Comikaze, did you cosplay? I wore my My Little Pony (MLP) shirt, and noticed lots of Harley Quinns and Deadpools. One day was not enough to walk through the entire venue and enjoy myself. So next year, I hope on going for at least two days.  

On Art004 - JiYoon Jessica Ahn

Introduce yourself. Who are you, and what kind of artist are you? I like to paint in acrylic paints and to draw with compressed charcoals. I like to paint semi-abstractions and Feelingscapes which I call “Felt Memories.”

How did you discover your interests in art? What is your history -with art? I loved picture books as a kid, and one day a Japanese visitor saw my stick figure cartoon and told my mom to encourage me to pursue art. My mom was always making things, usually needlecrafts, so I grew up watching her do a lot of patchwork and embroidery.

What are your favorite media? Are there specific professionals who inspire your work? Acrylic paints on canvas. Sometimes writing ink, too. Let’s see… some of the most inspiring master painters for me currently are Emily Noelle Lambert, Hiroshi Sugito, Giorgio de Chirico, Edward Hopper, and Paul Delvaux.

What goes on in your mind when you're creating? What does your artistic process look like? I get transported into my own Mind. I enjoy the “Flow” and being At One when engaged with creating. I don’t have a set method though, so each painting begins slightly differently. Sometimes I start off with ink drawings, other times I use gesso for a heavier foundation.

Weather Report. 2005. 90.9 × 72.7 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

What does art mean to you? 

Art is a Door Step to experiencing the Inner Realms of me. Art itself is a medium in that sense. It is a portal for me; a way of channeling and accessing something inside.

Zen Clouds. 2006. 53.0 x 45.5 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

Do you think there are biases or stigmas about being an artist? (Ex: There is a link between creativity and mental illness.) What are some that you've experienced? I’m pretty sure there are biases and stigmas for EVERY job on Earth, so yes to the first question. The notion that artists are somehow “different” from the rest of the human fold is a common bias from my observation.

Do you think there are any truths about the stereotypes of being an artist? In this day, much less so I think. Artists these days are more like a production line. The only real thing in what an artist does is the Process itself.

Pink Stitches. 2010. 45.5 x 53.0 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

Have any resources or tricks-of-the-trade to help fellow artists working with your media? Yes. Have a good friend who is a fellow artist and a creative. ARTS Anonymous is one that has been a treasure house of resources and sense of community for me. Once you start using acrylic paints, there is no turning back to oils! I’ve tried that once in my one room studio, but no matter how expensive and non toxic the oil paint claims itself to be, it will still stink like poison.

Face #19. 2006. 39.3 x 54.5 cm. Compressed charcoal and black ink on paper.

If you could give your young artist self or aspiring artists advice, what would it be? 

Your voice matters. Your view point matters. Your message and brushstrokes matter. Learn how to stand your ground without the wings that big corporations entice you with. Guard your Creative Soul. Seek and cherish the friends who are devoted to creating and crafting.

Face #41. 2006. 39.3 x 54.5 cm. Black ink on paper.

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For additional works by Jessica, visit her painting blog: http://jeeyoona.blogspot.kr
Questions & Comments? Email her at: jeeyoona@gmail.com

How Zines Can Help You Heal

Zines have a political history. Many think of feminists or RiotGrrl when the topic of zines arises. They were created to disseminate information to people when the mass culture had limited access to alternative perspectives. Corporations still control a huge amount of media in our lives, so small publications and zine culture can still promote a wider world view for consumers. 

Although currently, most zines at zine fests are creative outlets for artists, every now and then, you will come across a politically-inclined zine. Zines can be powerful and healing. Publishing is not as expensive as it used to be, but it can still be costly. If a person just wants to share their writings or their stories with others, zines can be a more cost-effective way of doing so. 

How Zines Can Help You Heal:

When you come from a community or population that does not have a strong voice, creating media to have your stories heard can help develop empowerment. This is the case for many who choose to use zines and zine culture to share their stories, and the stories of those whose voices have been oppressed in the past. Representation is important, and continues to be a concern and struggle for most minority groups. 

There is a larger cultural norm that is represented in the media, and this includes forms of art, film, and publications. Zines help those with minimal means to have their stories and identities validated and heard. One of the difficult parts of coming from small and underrepresented groups, is that it can feel like you do not exist in the eyes of the greater culture. Zines can help remedy these feelings of being less than.

Attending zine fests can also help promote community. It can be isolating not being able to find others who "get" your story or struggles. Zinesters usually come from life experiences where they were born fighting, and wish to encourage others to speak out on injustices or share their victories over hardships. Solidarity is part of this community, and I am thankful to have discovered and participate in it. 

You can make your own zine to share your story, your creativity, and insights into any cause you are championing. 

These photos are from OC Zine Fest, and it was held in Santa Ana on July 2015. Most of the works are inexpensive, so it's easier for a consumer to support their local artists. I like stickers and they usually range from $1 to $3. Many times artists give them away for free :)

These events usually draw out a younger crowd, around college-aged, and it's a treat when families visit. Some works have mature content, but most works can help inspire creativity in young artists. Exposing children to possibility can help them create a clearer image of how they want to be when they grow up. Conversing with local artists can help encourage success and prepare young artists with the right tools and expectations. 

Fur Babies!

Who doesn't like photos of cats and dogs? They can help alleviate stress, become lifelong companions, and even family. Here are some photos and words on some of these wonderful fur babies. 

(photo in banner) Very cool! Thank you for posting Jasper's photo. He's truly a therapy dog... This three-legged goof helps me understand that things aren't so bad. My lil man.  <3

- Christine Nam

This is yangkong-berry.

He is 3.2 kilograms of furry good warmth at night. a live purring musician in the bathroom. and a sweet licker of my wounds and feels when I'm down.

- Jiyoon Jessica Ahn

Sometimes you just need someone to listen n my dog is one heck of a listener.

- Jessica Song

Jax has been my best friend and constant companion through the most difficult time of my life. I had never owned a pet before her. She makes sure that even through the darkest times, I am never alone.

- Ray Valee

He was a very loving and communicative cat, I meowed to him and he meowed back. He loved to play and fight too and often brought home all sorts of things as gifts: small dead animals, underwear, branches, leaves, basically anything he liked he brought to us after his strolls. He always greeted me meowing while walking in my direction after hearing me opening the gates and then walked with me curling my legs until I got inside, took off my shoes and gave him a little love troking my feet on his back and belly. He was a great company in my life and I consider having another cat in the future as it is my favorite pet.

- Ivan Barreto

Örkki (the orc) is a dog.

- Tomi Viktor Varjonvmmi

This is my dog Kai. He's not very smart but he is soft and cuddly, which is fine by me.

- Sid Tsai

This is Nala. She lives at dad's place but is loved equally by all of the family, no matter how far we live. Happily I live really close, so I go for walks and cuddles pretty often. She calms me down, and helps me remember there are purely good things in this world too.

- Emmi Eriikka

This is Sampa, she judges me often and swears up and down that humans are crazy. She is my everything <3

- Sadi Thann

This is Dozer. He was a stray someone abandoned when we were having sub zero temps. Ours now!

- Don Ostrom

Buddha. The coolest cat ever!

- Don Ostrom

And last but not least, Bruno, who thinks he's a badass, but loves to cuddle for naps.

- Don Ostrom

Henry. I didnt want him, he was pathetic, tiny (4lbs) and terrified. Now he's healthy (15lbs), happy and we're inseparable.

- Rand Melvin

Sargent Pepper. The dog Henry replaced. 120 lbs of love and joy. No dog is a better lapdog than Sarge was.

- Rand Melvin

On Art003 - Dino Perez

I've been attending Santa Ana's art walk for the past three months (with a fellow artist partner in crime), and have met some wonderfully talented and humble creatives. Dino Perez is one of them. You can see him chatting it up with attendees, smiling, and freely sharing stories on his process and inspirations. 

There was this one piece that caught my attention:

I kept looking at it at Dino's booth, and asked myself, "What does it remind me of? Why do I like it so much?"

And then it hit me: The Little Prince! 

We shared a mutual love for The Little Prince, and I appreciated the honesty and genuineness Of Dino's story (I might have jumped once or twice after finding another adult who enjoys this book as much as me). Dino read this book as a child, and has gone back to it over time as an adult. He shared that,

"There are some things that stay with you." 

He also shared one chapter that especially resonated with him. It was about an adult who collected stars and was visited by the Little Prince. The Prince asked about the stars, but the adult was busy collecting and checking his inventory of things. The adult had no idea what he possessed, and was focused on accumulating things instead of experiencing them. 

Dino wholeheartedly spoke on how this has stayed with him and has shaped his perspectives in life. I appreciate his work because he weaves optimism and joy that children naturally have into his process. He also layers a darkness and color palette that brings the work balance. We ended our conversation agreeing on many things. We agreed that it's rare and difficult for many of us adults to keep our inner children alive, and we agreed that there is a beauty in creating work that reflects the humanity and playfulness that life gives us.

“For the travelers the stars are guides.

For others they are nothing but tiny lights. “ 

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Thank you for the conversation, and thank you for the art, Dino. I look forward to seeing you and your work at the next art walk. 

Titles of work:

• "Happy Valentine's" acrylic paint on wood panel - Winter 2015

• Day of the Dead 2014 edition of hand painted wooden coffins and framed paintings on wood 

• "Dream Chasing" acrylic paint, ink, and wood burning - Winter 2015

• "When You Will Not Open Your Eyes" acrylic paint on wood panel, Fall - 2014

For more of Dino's work:

Instagram DinoPerez

Etsy | DinoPerez

Santa Ana Art Walk 

On Art 002 - Paul Iannucilli

paul iannucilli, artist, poet, infj

Paul Iannucilli is a wondrously curious poet-writer, and I'm lucky to have scooped up an artist statement before he takes off onto big things in life.  

Paul Iannucilli's Artist Statement:

Stories have been around as long as there have been living things. All of us have them, and all of us tell them. From Neanderthal cave paintings to a cancerous cell; from the drunken musings of poets to the loud mouthed polemic of politicians, these are all stories. I am of a mind that these stories define us. Our society tells us a story of how to appropriately behave, philosophy tells us a story of what is right and wrong, corporations tell us a story of what is cool, or what we need, a romantic partner shares their story with us and informs us on how to share our own with them; this is intimacy. Also important are the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. If a person tells him or herself that they are a loser, then eventually they are going to start to believe it.

Made up stories tell us who we are as well. When we relate to, or empathize, with a character or characters, that informs us of who we are as individuals in a very pertinent and real way. You yourself are the embodiment of a beautiful and unique story that gets to have fun and interact with everyone else’s unique story. Some people are much better at telling stories; they are able to see, and tap into, and express these wonderful qualities that all of us share. They find these common threads and express them in ways most anyone can relate to. This is why I tell stories. It is the loudest expression of my humanity that I can think of. It allows me to relate to the world, other people, and myself. It lets me tell someone that they aren’t alone. It lets me see that neither am I. The poem I am including is part of my story it is my hope that you will be able to find some of your own in it as well. Thank you for sharing with me.

Little Boy Flies Across the Moon

When one is a performer

in a traveling circus sideshow

one can learn all sorts of things:

How to properly take care of animals,

or how to do a back flip in a clown suit

while drowning in cheap whiskey,

or even in some cases, how to fly.

 

By starlight and red fire glow

they gather, after the performance.

Crying away their pasts;

never forgetting them entirely.

Always there are reminders of what has been lost;

a scent, an accent, the turn of a mouth.

Little Boy drinks alone, in a pile of hay near the elephant pen.

And he drinks it all in.

Strongman’s raucous laughter and

Tarot Reader’s bitter tears and foul language,

curses hurled in Hungarian,

her native language from a life

lived long ago.

 

Little Boy flew tonight, across the trapeze

and the safety net waiting below.

He has flown all over the world.

Always finding the waiting arms to grasp him,

and then eager to pass him off to another.

Little Boy has flown for many reasons.

Money, sheer joy, bowel shaking terror,

and even for something as silly as love,

though it turned out to be the end instead.

Which all the cheap whiskey burn,

and cotton candy sweetness on his tongue

cannot ever replace.

 

The moon is big and silver and bright.

Winking down on Strongman, and Tarot Reader,

and all the rest of them.

It is taunting Little Boy.

It is calling his name in high and crystal tones.

Clear and ringing in Little Boy’s brain.

He wants it, the silver moon.

He wants to soar across its face,

across the dunes and craters.

He wants the silver light to burn right through him.

He wants to be free of the trapeze

and the ever present safety net.

Little Boy wants to let go of the bar

and fly free, across the face of the moon. 

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To follow Paul and his future works visit: 

• https://pauliannucilli.wordpress.com/ <<< READ HIS STUFF <3
• https://www.facebook.com/paulianwrites <<<LIKE HIS PAGE <3

photo credit for forest image: Kristin Mullinax, the gentle INFP, photo credit for awesome shot of Paul: Rowan Fluttertree from Seattle :), moon wallpaper: Google search, will gladly attribute if source is identified.

On Art 001 - Hoa Han

Hoa's background, and the art he makes:

Born in Vietnam and raised in LA since about the age of 4. I attended Art Center College of Design, where I received my Bachelors Degree in Entertainment Design. I have been working since as a Concept artist in the advertising and marketing field.  Being a concept artist I tend to make art that most people do not get to see. My job involves generating sketches and the pre-visualization of what a game idea or a web site may possibly look  like. Images can range from character design , environmental background art, and scene illustrations to help a client see the grand scheme or the world. As for my personal work I tend to lean towards fan pop art and fantasy just because it's really fun to create. 

What the best and worst things about being an artist? 

The best thing about being an artist is really simple, I get paid to do what I love. It is a great outlet to translate your thoughts and expressions into something visual which could be shared with others. The worst thing would have to be friends constantly asking to have something created that goes to no general purpose. I enjoy drawing and painting, but I like living life as well. 

What does it mean to make art? 

Pretty deep question. To me it means just expressing your personality through your work. This can range from any form of artistry whether it be pottery, wood working, or a few strokes on a canvas. As long as the artist has a thought in what they are putting out.

What do you think the benefits of art are?

Art can have great benefits to the person creating it. Personally I find it to be very therapeutic. It allows me to put on mental blinders where I am able to fully lose myself in the process.  Leaving out the stresses from the day or perhaps the ones to come. Art is just a great outlet for anyone really to freely express themselves. Art can also benefit the observer as well. For myself  being the observer helps inspire me to keep creating new work. 

If you could give advice to people thinking of exploring art, but are hesitant to, what would it be? 

To that I would say just give it a try. It does not hurt to be creative. From my experience I have found many people want to become artists, but are doubtful of their abilities.  With patience and constant practice anyone can become a great artist.  I would also advise that art is very subjective; you just have to find your niche.  For those who dive into the art world, develop  a thick skin. Criticism is everywhere--you just have to listen to the ones that will help benefit your art. 

How can we contact you or find awesome works you've created? 

I have a site people can check out, as well as a Society6 portal. 

  http://www.hoahan.com

  http://society6.com/hoadraws

Feel free to email Hoa at Hoadraws@gmail.com