'Dear New York, I Love You' full of whimsical drawings and joy found in New York City
NEW YORK (WABC) -- There are so many characters in this city that truly capture the heart of New York, people you just won't find anywhere else.
Ria Sim is truly a ray of sunshine. She's spreading whimsy and joy with each stroke of her colored pencil.
"Dear readers, thank you for unwrapping the magic within these pages," Sim read.
On any given day on the corner of 4th and Perry, you may stumble across the sweetest art sale.
A little red wagon filled with vibrant and whimsical drawings, an artist who radiates joy just to everyone lucky enough to pass by.
This is New York as seen through the eyes of Sim, restaurants, shops, and city landmarks.
"I love the little things that I see in the city. Things that normally people don't really look at, that all speaks very loud to me. I find New York is a gift in so many ways," Sim said.
Each piece a love letter to the city Sim's loved long before she called it home.
"Oh, from a child. My grandfather watching his little TV as the ball drops. And when I see New York, it's always like fashion and all the lights. And ever since then, I've always loved New York. He was the one that convinced my family to come here because he saw something more promising for his two grandchildren," Sim said.
From her tiny New York kitchen she created more than 4,000 pieces of art. One hundred and twenty made it into her book, "Dear New York, I Love You."
But Sim's story didn't start with art, 15 years ago, she was running an event planning and floral business in the Bay Area.
"That was my life, and I thought that was could be my forever career. Then an illness took, and I had to give up everything. So, my body pretty much shut down. I had to relearn and strengthen my motor skills. My older son, he told me about Instagram. And then, of course, I said to him, I said, no. I can't do that because that's for the young," she said.
Her son put the Instagram app on her phone anyway, and Coffee Cakes Cafe was born.
"Oh, I then just started to doodle, and I only had one follower, and that was him. And then all of a sudden, it just started to grow, and I started to learn to get draw better and better. The more I drew, the more I fell in love with my skills, and I see my skills grow," Sim said.
Something magical happened when the pandemic hit.
"Because I have an autoimmune illness, I couldn't go anywhere. So, I was trapped in my apartment as well. So, I thought why don't I bring New York to people? So let people imagine them being in New York. So, I drew New York businesses to help, and also, I animated it so people can feel like they're in it," Sim said.
For 10 years, Sim remained anonymous, a voice behind the art.
"Nobody knew who I was for 10 years. I came out when my book came out. If it wasn't for my book, I'd say I'd be hiding. An agent messaged me, and she asked if I was represented. She assumed I was, like, in my 30s. I told her that I was 53 years old. She was like, oh my goodness. I always thought that people who wrote books are very smart, so I wouldn't qualify. And it didn't scare her either," Sim said.
Now at 55, she's living proof that it's never too late for a second act.
"I can actually do this at 55 years old. I'm hoping that, you know, other women would be inspired. So, this book was really bringing a community together. We're a village. We all are connected somehow," Sim said. "May we continue to dream for we are never too old or mature to wish upon those star with love and gratitude. Oh my God. Dear New York, loving you is the best decision I've ever made."
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