In Memory of Ing Yong Chien -- Illustrator of All Because of the Hummingbird... or the Horse

Last night, Ing Yong Chien, the illustrator of All Because of the Hummingbird... or the Horse, passed away. To those of us who have had the honour and privilege to have known him and interacted with him, he was an extraordinary individual of utmost purity and integrity.

I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Yong Chien on the picture book project. Throughout this collaboration, he demonstrated his professionalism, his intuitive insights about life, his compassion and his desire to make the world a better place through his art.

More than just a talented artist, Yong Chien was a courageous and earnest young man who fought valiantly to live his life, in spite of his illness. Most important of all, he was my friend and my kindred spirit. I have been blessed beyond measure to have known him.

The world just got a little dimmer because we have lost a star...