Meet Your Neighbor: Lin Fong-O’Neill

By: LiliAnn Paras | December 30, 2020 |  Local , Meet Your Neighbor |  Colts Neck

Creativity with a Purpose

Lin Fong-O’Neill was born in China, raised in Hong Kong, and has lived in Colts Neck for more than 27 years and counting. Lin spent 33 years in the corporate world at J.P. Morgan Chase, managing global project implementation. She met her husband Ben there and in 1993, they moved to Colts Neck from New York with their son David, who is now married to Stephanie and has two daughters, Olivia and Catalina. A wonderful life together changed abruptly for Lin with the sudden passing of Ben last year. Fortunately, Lin has a myriad of interests, talents, and causes she supports which help her to cope with her new way of being in the world. She is an author of published children’s books, she paints, and she derives great satisfaction in using her creativity in ways to benefit others. She helps young readers learn empathy and kindness through her children’s books, addressing topics of diversity and acceptance. And as a life-long reader and fan of libraries, Lin chose the Colts Neck Friends of the Library (CNFOL) as a beneficiary of the proceeds of her book sales. CM met with Lin to learn about the inspiration for her books and paintings.
 

CM: You moved to America when you were 17. What are some of the challenges you encountered?
Lin Fong-O’Neill (LFO): Because I came from a protective environment, I was young, naïve and oblivious. It worked to my advantage in that I just soaked up every wonderful thing America had to offer. My family settled in Harlem. The diversity of the neighborhood shocked my parents but its colorfulness resonated with me.

CM: What inspired you to write books for children?
LFO: I always liked to write, love children, and am fascinated with art. Though transitioning from writing business memos to creative writing was a challenge, I was determined to tackle it after I left my corporate career. Being a master of multi-tasking, I decided to pen children’s stories, design illustrations with artists, and to write a monthly column (mostly life experience stories) for a Long Island magazine. The column ended after 15 years as COVID has forced the magazine to shut down recently.

CM: What led you to focus on stories about diversity?
LFO: I address cultural diversity because I embraced what I have learned dealing with it in my global role professionally, and in my personal life. Trust me, daring an interracial marriage at 19 was not a walk in the park, especially in my traditional family.
 

Subject to availability, Lin Fong-O’Neill is offering an 11”x14” acrylic painting of homes. A printed picture of the front of the structure must be provided, along with a 50% deposit (payable to Colts Neck Library Foundation). Prices and completion times may vary due to complexity; generally completed within two months. Contact linfongo@yahoo.com

CM: When did you begin to paint, and did you have formal training?
LFO: I began in 2013, mostly self-taught, and I took classes regularly through the Monmouth Park System. My preferred medium is acrylic and my favorite subjects are buildings, animals, and people.

CM: You recently donated all the proceeds from your paintings of homes to the CN Library. How did this idea come about?
LFO: The first house I painted was as a thank you to a neighbor and friend. It took three years because I was painting on and off and in no hurry! I then painted other homes within a few months. With the isolation as a result of COVID, I thought it’s a great way to use my skill to paint the beloved homes of others, and the task serves as an outlet to channel my bottled creative energy.

CM: You have traveled extensively. What are some of your favorite places and why?
LFO: I love to travel: from snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, wandering in the rain forests of Costa Rica, touring English castles in Wales, and admiring the 14th century Gothic cathedral in Majorca. I believe the wonders of the world can inspire us to accept diversity among people as well.

CM: What are some of the other things you enjoy doing?
LFO: I enjoy gardening, tennis, working out, bonding with girlfriends over lunch, meditating by my koi pond, and occasionally ballroom dancing, as well as aerial yoga.

CM: Your philosophy?
LFO: I believe in gratitude – I am grateful for every good thing and every true person that comes in my life and I give thanks continuously. I am an open book!