Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Selina Yung. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Selina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Art has always been my refuge, my escape from the world.⁠ Growing up, I wasn’t granted the opportunity to pursue art school, but my passion never wavered. When I moved to Toronto, I started delving into collages during my free moments – late nights and weekends. It became more than just a creative outlet; it became my sanctuary.⁠ ⁠
To me, collages are magical because they turn the ordinary into extraordinary, giving forgotten things a second chance to live and shine. Coming from a family where girls were often undervalued, I constantly had to prove my worth. Creating something beautiful out of discarded grocery magazines and other overlooked materials resonates deeply with me. ⁠

Collage technique and term actually were originated hundreds of years ago but made its breakthrough in the early 20th century as an art technique in itself when artists like Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso began combining bits of found printed material into their cubist paintings. But collage art faces significant stigma these days. Many people view collage art as mere scrapbook-style creations. In the meantime, there are also a lot of people considering pop-culture art to be an acquired taste. However, I aim to redefine these art forms. I believe that both collage art and pop-culture art can be enjoyable and sophisticated. I stand by the idea of not letting others’ opinions limit your potential – you have the power to challenge and surpass these stigmas (whether it is about art or any aspects in life).
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Each piece is a testament to the strength and resilience that exists within me, and I pour my heart and soul into every creation. This is why I fell in love with collages, and this is why I share them with you.⁠

Selina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I always loved creating, even as a child but with my background and upbringing, I was not allowed to choose art. Something I was allowed to choose? Accounting. Alas, I became an accountant (boring, right?). In 2022, I suffered from anxiety and depressive symptoms, I decided to finally follow my heart and become a full-time artist.⁠ Entering the art industry without a formal art education was a daunting experience. My collage “Dream Chaser” always reminds me to take the leap of faith and I did. Even when I stumble, I push myself to persevere and continued to rise. ⁠
While most of my collage pieces seem exciting and exude happiness, I find myself blessed to have some toxicity in my life as well (I say blessed because, without it, I wouldn’t be using art as my outlet). If you have read the stories behind my pieces, you will quickly learn that a lot of my collages were created to share various life lessons and experiences I have encountered. They are meant to speak to your soul and to have a long-lasting impact on your heart. ⁠And that is what I most proud of.

I remember those moments when people would be holding my collage prints and reading the stories behind my pieces “Metamorphosis – Grow through what you go through”, “Let Go”, “Revival” etc, and they started tearing up. It’s an incredibly touching experience when customers become emotional upon viewing my work. Witnessing their deep connection to the artwork, seeing how it touches their souls, fills me with immense pride and joy. Knowing that my art has the power to alleviate their feelings of loneliness, guide them through challenging times, and inspire them to see hope in life is a truly gratifying feeling.

It is not just about collaging anymore, it is also about using pop-culture and art to share life lessons.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2020, my 8-year-long relationship came to an end, which was followed by the loss of my grandmother and another significant family member in 2021. I had no idea that these departures would have such a profound impact on me, but they did. At the time, I couldn’t travel back to Hong Kong to bid my final farewells or attend the funerals because of covid travel restrictions. Being alone here in this situation, feeling trapped and helpless, had a tremendously negative effect on my life. Additionally, despite being grateful for the promotion I received at the bank during that time—a position that many people envied—it only added more pressure to my already burdened life. Towards the end of 2021, I experienced anxiety and depressive symptoms.

It was an incredibly challenging situation where I found myself standing at a fork in the road. On one hand, I felt the pressure to tough it out and continue with my banking job, even though the toll it was taking on my well-being was evident. I was losing my hair, struggling to sleep, and crying every day. The thought of walking away meant giving up my hard-earned accounting CPA license and the education I had invested so much time and effort into. The uncertainty of not knowing where life would take me added to the weight of the decision. It was a difficult and overwhelming crossroads, where I had to carefully weigh the cost of sacrificing my mental and emotional health versus the fear of venturing into the unknown.

Ultimately, God led me and my health pushed me to make the decision to resign from my job. It is a decision I never regret!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Although I had been pursuing art on a part-time basis for two years, transitioning to full-time artistry was an entirely different challenge. I distinctly recall a moment in February when I realized I had only made $57 in net profit. To add to the setback, my cat accidentally spilled water on my laptop, requiring additional expenses to replace it. At that precise moment, doubt began to creep in, and I found myself gazing up at the sky, questioning the direction of my life and wondering, “What am I truly doing?”

I feel immense gratitude for the unwavering presence and support of my family, my partner (now, my husband), my friends, therapists, and above all, God. They have been my guiding lights, accompanying me through the most challenging and darkest moments of my life. With God, I learnt patience. With this experience, I proved to myself that I am resilient and can persevere. Now, I can make a living and still doing what I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cleverclippings.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cleverclippings
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cleverclippings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-l-selina-yung-cpa-ca-04341b2a or search S.L. Selina Yung, CPA, CA

Image Credits
Photographer: IG @alishahh.photography IG @wcsun IG @mikipatelphotography