We had the good fortune of connecting with Lean Tristan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lean, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been in love with art since I was a little kid. I started dancing and drawing at a young age and I even wanted to be a fashion designer; I guess deep down I always knew I wanted to be an artist. Growing up, however, I was raised to believe that being an artist was a hobby and not a real profession, so I put aside my passion and went to college to study something else to please my family. I discovered my love for photography when I started traveling after college, and I realized that something had been missing all those years. Thankfully, I married someone who is very supportive of my love for art and encourages me to pursuit it.

We were stationed in Japan during Covid in a very small base and during that time we couldn’t leave the base for months, so I spent a lot of time at home with our babies. I started painting again during those days and it helped me rediscover my passion. Art makes my soul feel alive and it is something I want to continue doing. I believe God wouldn’t have given me this talent if I wasn’t supposed to use it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Now that we are settled in the U.S., I started to pursue my creative side a lot more through painting. I created an Instagram account (@artofbeautifulife) to share my artworks and I’m hopefulIy be able to sell it. I’m a self-taught artist, and I love to paint florals, portraits, and nature. I’m not focus in one medium at the moment, I use watercolor and acrylic painting. I love to explore new things and I think that’s what makes me different; I am full of ideas and I’m always excited to learn. It’s not easy, but time management and dedication is always key to make sure that I have time for my family as well.

My definition of success is based on happiness. If you love what you’re doing and you’ are happy with it, that makes you successful. I know that the start of the journey is always the hardest but I’m always ready for it. If you’re a stay-at-home mom like me, please don’t stop pursuing your dreams, what’s important is that you know yourself more than anyone else. It’s never too late to do what you love. so be bold, be curious, and be courageous. Keep nurturing yourself and discover the parts of you that you never thought you had before, and live your life to the fullest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friends to the beach so they can experience the SoCal lifestyle. Watch the sunset from Sunset Cliffs and then have some authentic Mexican food. I would also take them to Coronado Island and eat at our favorite Italian Restaurant, Il Fornaio Coronado, and then go for walk by the bay and get desserts at Parfait Paris. We would definitely have to go to La Jolla and have a picnic on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy the weather from Chula Vista Marina Bay Park. Drive to Borrego Springs for a wonderful night of stargazing in the desert and of course, exploring Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person I want to thank the most is my husband. He is my anchor and my number one supporter and he believes in me even when I give up on myself, and always motivate me. Also our kids, who are my inspiration and my family in the Philippines, especially my sister who always tells me I inspire her to pursue a creative path. My best friends for always being there even when I’m on the other side of the world, and always cheer me on. And most importantly, God for giving me this talent. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him, and I am excited to see what else He has in store for me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momlifetothefullest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000817122981&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: Pinterest- https://pin.it/5y6j7EH Linktree- https://linktr.ee/momlifetothefullest

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