This is the story of the owner of Kam Meng's Chinese Restaurant, in her own words.
An Artists Story
Born and raised in China's Canton countryside, I grew up very poor. We ate what we could find or grow and rarely had meat. I remember raising a few chickens all year for my grandma's birthday. When my mother cooked the chickens, the smell made me sick, because I wasn't used to eating meat. People in my village used lanterns because we had weak, unreliable electricity, and carried buckets from the well because we had no running water. Living in Communist China, my family forced me to use my right hand, even though I am left handed. They were afraid that I would get into trouble for being different - for not conforming. Poverty comes in many forms.
Even though we were so poor, I remember loving art, music, and dance from the time I was a small child. When music played, emotion filled my heart and made me dance. My dream was to become a composer, but, of course, music lessons were impossible. When I did have access to a piano, I played by ear - from my soul. At age 17, I came to America with my family and had so much more opportunity to pursue my interests and dreams. I tell my daughter, the seagulls here live better than most human beings in other countries. I don't know if she understands.
Times Means Nothing
Shortly after we arrived in America, I rode my bicycle to the University of Oregon. We lived in Eugene at the time and I heard that you could play the piano in the music department for free. So I went there at 9 a.m. and started to play. Time disappeared. I suddenly got very thirsty and felt shaky and cold. I went into the hallway for a drink of water and it was empty and dark. The clock on the wall said 11 p.m. I thought it had been minutes, no hours. Time means nothing when you do the things you love.
My wish is that everyone could find the things that he or she loves - find something to appreciate about life. Two years ago, I found something to appreciate about live. I discovered the artist inside me. I felt a desire to paint and realized how much I truly love it. Before that time, I didn't even know I could paint. This is a gift from God and I know that we all have something magical inside of us. It is up to each of us to discover our gifts and release them - to give them life. I found myself in my art and now I know why I'm here. I encourage other people to learn about themselves so they can do what they were born to do.
My Warmth is on the Canvas
Finding your calling makes you feel so much more connected to life. When I see somethng beautiful or play music, I cry. When I see fog on the bay, powerful feelings well up inside of me. Painting has made me stronger, happier. It colors everything. Unfortunate things still happen, but they don't matter anymore because they're all part of my story. Those experiences become pieces of my life and my art. I try not to have regrets or bitterness because nothing is bad anymore. It's all just an experience.
When I start painting, I am driven. I can't stop until the painting is finished. The desire envelopes me and I don't know where it comes from so I must capture it before it disappears. I won't eat or sleep until the painting is finished. And when it is done, I am shaking and cold - just like that time in the University's music room. No matter how many blankets my husband wraps around me, I am cold. There is no warmth oeft in my body because it is all on the canvas. Then I sit and look at my painting and cry because I'm so happy. Each painting contains my emotions, what I am feeling that day. My work comes from my heart, what I feel about life. I cry because what's in my heart has come out in such a concrete way. Afterward, I go to work at our restaurant on one hour of sleep and have more power for it. I'm invigorated.
Working for a Dream
After painting all night, I work all day, sometimes 14 hours. I find great joy in cooking and talking to the customers at our restaurant - Kam Meng on the Historic Bayfront in Newport, Oregon. It makes me feel good to serve people healthy, delicious food while they watch the fishing boats and sea lions on the bay. People come because they appreciate the local seafood and fresh vegetables. IF they are content when they eat in my restaurant and look at my paintings, then I am satisfied. It's enough to be appreciated. I don't have to be rich, I just need enough to care for our family and support my art. I'm working for my dreams.
I owe a lot to the people in my life for encouraging me in pursuit of my dream. My parents because they gave me life. My husband for trying to keep me warm when I'm shaking and cold after I paint. He makes me hot soup, wraps blankets around me, and enfolds me in his arms - trying to give me his warmth. My daughter who always tries to do her best and make me proud of her. My customers who encourage me. Without them, I would not have kept going. Everyday they give me kind words, support, and ideas about subjects for my painting, technique, and marketing. One customer is an art teacher and he suggested I use the white of the paper instead of white paint to achieve a crisper image. He was right. I listen when people teach me and it makes me a better painter - a better person.
Everything has Worth
People need to be encouraged. Some think if you criticize people, it will make them work harder and try to do better. The opposite is true. Encourage people and everything in their lives will become beautiful. They will see that everything has worth. Every little thing has its own soul - its own life force.
Someday, I still think I will become a composer because because music is one of my great loves. If you find your true self and do what you love, time moves very quickly. Every minute is important so don't let them get away. One hundred years can go by very fast.
Huiya Chen 2-16-2006