I want to personally thank everyone who came by to see me at the Eastside Culture Crawl this year. A special thanks to those who support my art by purchasing my artwork. This is my third year doing the Crawl, and I enjoyed it more and more every year!
Each year, I create a new piece of art for the show that is related to my ongoing series, Hidden World. I make these drawings with a humble ballpoint pen (the kind we use for writing) to explore how I can use pattern design to create one cohesive image. This year, I created Lucky Cat #9.
Visitors who came to see me at the Culture Crawl were interested in the inspiration behind this piece. I would love to share my inspiration with you!
I thought Hidden World: Raven from last year was the most personal piece I had made. But now that Lucky Cat #9 is finished, I can truly say it has become my most personal work that’s near and dear to my heart.
Lucky Cat #9 – Is It Luck or Perseverance?
There’s a saying that a cat has nine lives. My new Hidden World artwork plays with this idea, exploring whether positive outcomes come from sheer luck, steady perseverance, or a bit of both.
In this piece, nine whimsical scenes follow a cat who manages to land on its feet—every time. Each moment raises the question: do we escape difficult situations because fortune is on our side, or because we refuse to give up?
This artwork is inspired by my own journey, reflecting how determination can carry us through dark times—and how, sometimes, a bit of luck can offer us protection.
If you’ve ever heard Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song,” with its message of perseverance and resilience, this piece is my version of that—expressed in my own way through art.
This is also my version of an inspirational cat poster—similar to the one you see in the Lego Movie 😀
A Cat Has Nine Lives
Can you spot the nine scenes where the cat faces a precarious challenge—yet always emerges stronger than ever?
Here are some hints and my inspiration behind each situation (starting from top to bottom):
1. The cat is tangled in yarn by a mouse who loves to knit.
2. The cat got stuck in a tree branch and is trying its best to get out of this tricky situation.
3. The cat is floating on a log with creatures (octopus, Loch Ness–inspired monster) surrounding it.
4. The cat is attempting to jump across a waterfall!
5. Sasquatch is holding the cat as its pet. What is the Sasquatch going to do with the cute cat?
6. The cat is wrapped around a snake.
7. Teleport gone wrong? The cat’s head is in one place, and the butt is in another.
8. It’s raining cats and dogs! Will the cat survive the thunderstorm?
9. The scaredy cat is frightened by the cute and friendly ghost.
Hidden Symbols
In Chinese culture, the number nine, 九 (jiǔ), is lucky because it sounds like 久 (jiǔ), meaning “long-lasting.” It’s even used in the romantic phrase 長長久久 (cháng cháng jiǔ jiǔ) for everlasting love. Truly, 9 is a lucky number!
Look closely at Lucky Cat #9, and you’ll also find:
• Iconic symbols of good luck (including a lucky cat in a waterfall, an eight ball, and lucky dice that roll to the number eight). Did you know that the number eight is also good in Chinese culture? The number 8 is considered the luckiest number because its pronunciation, “bā,” sounds like the word “fā” (發), which means “to prosper” or “to get rich”.
• Animals and mythical creatures influenced by Canada’s landscapes (including the Loch Ness–inspired monster, the Sasquatch, and an otter).
• Art that resembles water at first glance, but is actually a bowl of ramen noodles.
• A turtle and a number 9 helium balloon that represent longevity in Chinese culture.
• I wanted to incorporate common cat idioms like “It’s raining cats and dogs” and “scaredy cat” into my drawing.
• It’s the first time adding color (to the nose) in my Hidden World series.
Good Things Take Time
This phrase has been recurring in my head this year. Using the Raven and Raccoon as a reference, in the past, it took about two months to do a Hidden World piece.
However, Lucky Cat #9 took longer. It took me five months to complete it in its entirety. This is the first time that I drew a mockup of my ideas before I did my final piece. Essentially, I did two cats to arrive at my final Lucky Cat #9.
