Born in Canton, China, she immigrated with her family to the United States in 1985, settling originally in Tucson, AZ, and then relocating to New York City.
She learned the basics of drawing, watercolor, painting and sculpture as a child studying in China.
Her paintings received numerous commendations for her outstanding work at exhibitions at the Tucson Museum of Art.
In New York, she studied at the Educational Alliance, Cooper Union and the Pratt Institute, from which she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.