Featured Cover Art: “Serenity”

Medium: Digital 
2026

About “Serenity”:

“Serenity” was created for a 2025 MerMay prompt, an annual community-driven art challenge. The prompt immediately resonated with me, and a mental image of a calm ocean at dusk appeared almost instantly. Different times of day can evoke different feelings of calm and peace, but when I think of “serenity,” I am drawn to the fleeting moment after a brilliant sunset, when light still fills the sky, but the world and living things begin to quiet down.

In a sense, the mermaid serves as a stand-in for myself, resting in a moment of stillness as she overlooks a windless ocean. The seagull is a quiet and unassuming companion in a moment of solitude. Through this piece, I wanted to capture a moment of quiet reflection and contemplation, reminding myself and the viewers to live in the moment and simply be.

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Ting is a digital artist based in Shoreline, Washington. Her work is inspired by the landscapes and cityscapes in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, with a touch of whimsy and wonder that carries through her paintings. After working in software engineering for several years, Ting decided to transition toward a more creative path to reconnect more deeply with her artistic voice. She is currently pursuing an MS in Human-Centered Design at the University of Washington. Outside of her studies, she started Ting Draws in the summer of 2025 and has been participating in art shows and markets around the Greater Seattle area.