We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joyce Moi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joyce, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our mission is to help neuro-diverse artistically gifted children/youth to bloom and grow.

Since the passing of Artist Janet Lee in 2023, Janet Lee Gallery has evolved beyond an art space into a vibrant legacy, honoring Janet’s spirit and vision. It serves as both a showcase of her colorful artworks and #artbeyondthecanvas creations, and a nurturing hub where neuro-diverse artists can bloom and grow. Janet, who faced medical and intellectual challenges, aspired to be seen as no different from others, and her legacy now fuels a mission to empower others like her.

Guided by the principles of positivity, empowerment, and gratitude, Janet Lee Gallery inspires and nurtures neuro-diverse artists, helping them build confidence and pursue their creative dreams. We provide free mentorship to their parents and take no commission from sales, as a way of giving back to the community that supported Janet. Families remain a part of this community even after their mentoring period, creating a supportive network where they continue learning together and uplifting one another. Our sustainability relies on the sale of Janet’s artworks and #artbeyondthecanvas creations, allowing us to operate independently, like any other business, without depending on income from other artists. Our unique, independent approach, free from NGO or profit-driven models, is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for these artists and their families, ensuring they are equipped to thrive in their own unique ways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Joyce Moi and the Legacy of Janet Lee Gallery

My name is Joyce Moi, and I am the mother of two wonderful daughters. Janet Lee, my youngest, is the heart of our story. Born as a healthy child, Janet faced her first major health challenge at just 8 months old, experiencing her first seizure. By 1.5 years, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, specifically intractable epilepsy—a form that lacks an aura to signal the onset of seizures and is resistant to medication. This diagnosis changed our lives forever.

At age 5, Janet encountered her second challenge: learning difficulties. Despite early intervention efforts, we were told that her learning disability might be a side effect of her medication, and there was little that could be done. However, Janet’s love for learning persisted. When she was 16, during a family trip to Australia for my elder daughter’s graduation, we arranged a specialized test to understand why she struggled academically. There, a psychologist diagnosed her with intellectual disability, giving little hope that she would ever read or write. Yet, an educational specialist believed Janet’s difficulties might stem from visual processing issues. While the psychologist had little faith in this approach, I decided to pursue it. That same year, after vision therapy, Janet began reading and writing—a breakthrough that ignited her belief that she could achieve more.

Janet’s love for art began early. Around the age of 8 or 9, as her learning challenges became evident, she started attending art classes. Unfortunately, several art teachers concluded she lacked artistic talent. It wasn’t until 2010 that we finally found an art teacher who believed in Janet’s potential and was willing to explore her creativity without rigid theory or classroom instruction. Under this teacher’s guidance, Janet’s unique style emerged: her passion for vibrant colors and her unconventional but striking color combinations. This led to her first opportunity to exhibit her work in The Hidden Truths Project in the United States back in 2014.

Despite this achievement, Janet continued creating art in her own way, experimenting with colors in a manner that deviated from what she learned in formal classes. Concerned about the disparity between her class work and her home creations, I sought further guidance. In 2017, we connected with a mentor who took a keen interest in Janet’s art. After working closely with her, he recognized that Janet was a colorist—a revelation that truly defined her artistic identity.

Our journey has been a long, challenging one, especially for me as someone with no background or particular interest in art. My husband and elder daughter are also not art-inclined, so navigating the art world to help Janet pursue her passion was daunting. This experience made me realize that there must be other families facing similar challenges, seeking guidance and support for their neuro-diverse, artistically gifted children.

When Janet opened her own gallery in 2020, we committed to making it more than just a showcase for her art. We envisioned the gallery as a place that would eventually support other families with neuro-diverse, talented children. Our plan was to launch this initiative in 2023, during the gallery’s anniversary. Tragically, Janet passed away in July 2023 due to ovarian cancer. With encouragement from her sister, however, we decided to carry forward Janet’s vision. This mission—to help neuro-diverse artists bloom and grow—has now become our purpose and legacy.

What We Do at Janet Lee Gallery

Janet Lee Gallery is dedicated to showcasing Janet’s vibrant artworks and her #artbeyondthecanvas creations. But it’s more than an art space; it’s a nurturing community for neuro-diverse artists and their families. Through mentorship, we guide parents with neuro-diverse artistically talented kids, helping them find their paths for their child while building their child’s confidence in their unique talents. We don’t take any commission from their sales, allowing artists and their families to benefit fully from their efforts.

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike traditional art platforms, Janet Lee Gallery is not NGO-led or profit-driven. Our funding comes from selling Janet’s artworks and #artbeyondthecanvas creations, allowing us to operate independently without relying on income from other artists. This unique model helps us stay focused on our mission to empower and support neuro-diverse artists and their families in a sustainable way.

Our Vision and Impact

Janet’s legacy continues through every artwork, mentoring session, and piece of guidance we offer. We believe that every neuro-diverse artist deserves a chance to thrive, and every family deserves the peace of mind that their children can lead meaningful lives. Our goal is to nurture creativity, foster resilience, and build a supportive community where neuro-diverse artists and their families can learn, grow, and flourish together.

Janet is 1 of 5 stories in this book

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was that some dreams are simply out of reach for those facing immense challenges. Through Janet, I discovered that anything is possible, no matter how impossible it may seem to others, as long as we don’t give up and are willing to work hard to achieve what we want. Janet’s unwavering determination and resilience taught me that limitations are often perceptions that can be shattered.

Janet wasn’t just my daughter; she was a guiding light who showed me what true strength looks like. Faced with intractable epilepsy and learning challenges, she never saw herself as limited. Her spirit drove me to unlearn the limitations I thought were inevitable due to her condition. Instead, I learned to approach every obstacle with an open heart and a belief in possibility.

In facing her illness, I realized that I had to let go of fear and stand strong. As her caregiver, each hospital visit became a lesson in resilience and courage. Her desire to learn despite the obstacles inspired me to seek answers and support her education in any way possible, which ultimately transformed me into a parent coach to help others facing similar struggles.

Her drive for recognition and success pushed me to unlearn the idea that her challenges defined her. I explored every avenue to provide her with the opportunities she craved, learning that what truly matters is the passion and dedication we bring to the pursuit of our dreams.

Today, as I look back, I realize that Janet made me shine by showing me the power of unwavering belief and relentless determination. She taught me to unlearn limitations and embrace life’s challenges with grace and courage. In her memory, I am committed to sharing her story and the lessons she taught me.

Janet will forever be loved and remembered by me, her dad, sister, and niece.

Our 1st cohort of artists

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In my last 10 years of employment, I held what I considered my dream job, managing key business units across the Asia Pacific region for a multinational company. It was a position of responsibility and achievement, covering Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Leaving this career wasn’t an easy decision, but when my mother-in-law, who had been helping care for my daughter Janet, was no longer available, I faced a critical choice.

Janet has intractable epilepsy, which means she could have a seizure at any moment, with no warning. Over the years, she’d had several falls—down the stairs, at the dining table, even in the bathroom. I had to ask myself if I could live with the regret of not being there if something serious happened. Would I be able to accept blaming a caregiver if an accident occurred, or would I always think, “If only I had been there”?

Ultimately, it was this concern that led me to pivot from my career to become Janet’s full-time support. Although I’d worked continuously since I was 17, stepping away from a 35-year career was challenging. To keep myself grounded, I focused on Janet’s potential and realized that she had her own desire to succeed, though she needed support to unlock it. Over the next 15 years, we worked together to transform her from a young girl with low self-esteem to an artist with confidence and pride in what she could achieve.

This pivot, though difficult, allowed me to witness Janet’s growth and give her the opportunity to show the world her talents. Looking back, I am grateful for the peace of mind that came with being there for her journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistjanetlee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycemoi

Janet’s artwork used on Signature Market Anniversary Gift Box