A Bahamian Dreamscape on Canvas

Tucked into the cozy alcove of our home now hangs my latest painting — a vibrant reimagining of a peaceful walk along the Bahamian shore. It’s a memory that never actually happened in this exact way, but one that lives vividly in my heart and now, on canvas.

Inspired by our family trip to the Bahamas, I wanted to capture the serene beauty of the place — the turquoise waters, soft golden sand, and brilliant skies — but with a twist. Instead of painting the bustling, joyful chaos of traveling with two energetic boys (which is beautiful in its own right), I imagined what it might look like if just Thanh and I had this moment to ourselves. A rare and quiet walk by the water, hand in hand, like something out of a dream.

When the boys saw the finished piece, they stared at it curiously before Khai asked, “Wait… when did you and Dad take this photo? Why weren’t we there?” The only time Thanh and I travel without them, it seems, is through the strokes of my paintbrush. 😂

Parenting life doesn’t exactly leave much room for spontaneous couple getaways, but there’s something sweet about being able to create those moments in art. This painting is a small tribute to the “us” that still exists beyond the bedtime routines and lunchbox prep. The version of us that once walked slowly, with nowhere to be, and now finds joy recreating that peace in brushstrokes and shared smiles.

This painting isn’t just a playful dream — it’s layered with pieces of our love story. The cherry blossoms blooming in the corner? A little poetic license, perhaps (there were no cherry blossoms in the Bahamas), but they symbolize our spring wedding, when the world was in bloom just like we were.

And tucked quietly into the sand is a starfish — an intentional nod to our beginnings. Stars have always been our symbol. Our first gifts to each other were tiny origami stars, folded with care and hope. When Thanh proposed, stars lit the theme and the moment. They’ve come to represent wishes, faith, and the constellations we’ve built together over the years.

So while this painting captures the landscape, it’s really a portrait of us — our history, our dreams, and the little symbols that hold us together. It’s a reminder that even when life is full of noise and motion and kids asking a thousand questions, there’s still space for the two of us. Even if it’s just for now, on canvas.