"In Asia dragons are viewed as benevolent creatures associated with rain and agriculture, amongst other things. They bring the greens we love to eat. I don't see the aspect of agriculture used with the dragon that often so I wanted to use that as my inspiration since we have a rooftop vegetable garden here in Brooklyn that's connected me more with the food we eat. We eat a lot of Korean ssam bap (stuff wrapped in various lettuce leaves) so I've populated the art with stuff like red leaf lettuce, chicory, ggaennip, etc. Korean dragons generally have 4 claws, Japanese 3 and Chinese 5. Dragons are made up of many kinds of animals, many of which are other zodiac animals, but it varies depending on who you talk to and here are some examples: the head of camel, eyes of a rabbit, claws of a hawk, nose of a pig, ears of a bull, horns of a stag, feet of a tiger, and the body of a snake. I imagined the dragon bringing the rain that nourishes our greens, and watches over the garden. 새해 복 많이 받으세요 sae-hae bok man-i ba-deu-se-yo means please receive a lot of new year luck in Korean. I will be in my 50s by the time I've illustrated another 12 yr zodiac animal cycle, that's crazy. May your 2024 be like a dragon, and if it does rain, you will grow that much more from it. There is also a version without the Korean typography because not everyone who celebrated Lunar new year is Korean or wants that on their art. Happy new year everyone."

"The Lunar New Year holds a cherished place in my heart, symbolizing renewal. In my childhood, it meant donning new clothes, deep-cleaning the house, receiving red packets, stuffing my face with mandarin oranges and savoring elaborate dishes exclusive to the celebration. It was a family affair, with everyone contributing to the feast. Our annual Lunar New Year traditions were like a well-oiled machine, providing immense comfort. However, as adulthood led us to different countries, our routines evolved. Yet, no matter where we are, we make it a priority to celebrate the Lunar New Year together. The specifics may change, but the enduring comfort of home, where family gathers, remains constant."