This South Bay Child's Creative Journey Blossoms Into Brand

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Whenever she watches her seven-year-old daughter draw, Bohee Park knows there's something special there.

"I don’t necessarily think my daughter is more creative than other kids — I truly believe all children are born creative in their own ways," the 44-year-old Redondo Beach resident told Patch. "But every now and then, she does something that catches me completely off guard."

Still, it never occurred to Park that an illustration her daughter drew two years ago would become the catalyst for them to start their own mother-daughter business—Lina Twinzi. Park and her daughter started the brand Lina Twinzi in Redondo Beach earlier this year to share their creative projects with the world.

"It reminded me of Picasso’s style — abstract but full of meaning. Honestly, it looked like something you’d see in a gallery," Park said about her daughter's art. "We had it up on our wall for a while, but I didn’t want to just keep it there. I wanted someone else to feel that spark, too."

Lina Twinzi isn't just a business for Park and her daughter, but a space to inspire innovation and creativity in other families. That comes from Park's own experiences overcoming challenges as a college student in her early 20s.

Park moved from Korea to the United States, where she became a 3D designer. Although she knew design was her passion, adjusting to a new country didn't come easily.

“I could understand a little bit of English in my head, but even saying ‘hello’ out loud took a lot of courage,” the 44-year-old Redondo Beach resident told Patch. “I had to build up confidence just to order food or raise my hand in class. Everything felt fast and loud, and I often felt small and unsure.”

But over time, Park realized she could express herself visually through her passion for design.

It became her first real language stateside, and, her professors and mentors quickly took notice

"Professors, mentors, even creative directors at big companies gave me chances not because I spoke perfectly, but because they saw how much heart I put into what I do," Park said. "Now, I no longer worry about sounding perfect. I focus on being clear, intentional, and true to myself — and I’ve found that this is often more powerful than flawless English."

Those are the same lessons she wants to instill in her daughter by encouraging her to pursue her passions. She wants to inspire her daughter and community to see the beauty in hardship and learn how taking on challenges can be a blessing.

"If you put (art) out into the real world, it can have a powerful message," Park told Patch. "It's not from trying to make a lot of money, it is from pure heart, joy and loving."

Looking at Avery Kim's work, it's obvious she shares the same passion for art as her mother.

"It's usually her idea that sparks something, and I just end up sitting next to her, watching it unfold," Park said. "That’s how a lot of our projects begin — not because I planned it, but because she pulled me in."

A few months ago, Park and Avery Kim were sitting at home eating popsicles when the seven-year-old had the idea to create an anti-drip device.

In March, Avery Kim submitted her anti-drip prototype through a school project and had the opportunity to present it at an invention convention at El Camino College. Although she was nervous to present for the first time, she garnered enough confidence to explain her project and won a state medal.

"I was really happy to finish the journey with her," according to Park, who said she could see her daughter gain a sense of independence in real-time. "I want to teach her from an early age that creativity is not all about the arts. It's about leadership as well."

Since then, Avery Kim has further explored her artistic abilities, working on the Lina Twinzi brand and a stop-motion film for a PTA Reflections Program.

Lina Twinzi comes from their nicknames, Craftlina (Park) and Doodlina (Kim) and a divergent spelling of the word "twinsies."

Park works full-time as a 3D designer, so she only gets about an hour a day to work on projects with her daughter. Still, those moments sitting side by side are a chance for them to "build something deeper," Park said.

"It's simple, but it means a lot to us," Park said.

The creative process behind their work isn't traditional in any sense," Park said. Avery Kim likes to work on arts and crafts while she waits for Park to pick her up from school. That moment may sometimes spark an idea, but other times, Avery Kim takes initiative and creates a project all on her own.

"From there, we just run with it," Park said. "There's no plan, no structure — just little moments of inspiration that turn into something real."

That's how their first published project, a "lovingly made" card series, came to be.

It started with a simple drawing Avery Kim made of her mom. The base started with an outline of her hand. Soon, she drew eyes, legs, a huge smile, a face and earrings, turning it into a playful character.

The project, titled "Tiny Hands, Endless Love," is meant to serve as a Mother's Day gift. A second illustration featuring colorful heart clouds across a light blue sky is for teacher appreciation.

All the proceeds from this card series will be donated, Park said. The next three series, meanwhile, will be partially donated. They can both be purchased on their Etsy storefront.

Looking toward the future, the mother-daughter duo plan to expand into hosting creative workshops at local schools to inspire kids like Avery Kim to build their own brands and share their art with the world.

They also want to create inspirational notepads featuring thoughtful quotes and STEM-inspired art kits aimed at helping kids imagine, create, and build their own dreams from the heart, according to Park.

"This is really meaningful because a lot of families, in this age, they do crafts at home, but they stay at home," Park said. "If you put it out into the real world, it can have a powerful message. It can inspire people to put that art out there."