Foreshots & Saints

About Me

Howdy. I am a Vietnamese gal who loves using whiskies and cocktails as inspiration to create art, but I am not limited to these subjects. I love taking concepts that appear tangential and fusing them together. Whether it’s music, literature, history, sewing or painting, I capture elements from various subjects and create art. I got into whisky by complete accident. I woke up one morning and the first thing that came to my mind was, “You should use whisky as a muse to write poetry.” I knew nothing about this golden elixir at the time, but it immediately “startled my brain into alertness” and I was immediately hooked. After studying whisky for a year, I quit social work and backpacked to Scotland solo. At the time, my “friends” said I was too dumb and stupid to do it on my own, but I knew in my heart that I needed to invest some time for myself. After my spiritual quest, I got into the alcohol industry and began curating whisky flights for people. I have collaborated with brands like Old Pulteney and anCnoc. I am the first female from USA to design a Japanese whisky label. I was also a recipient of Glenfiddich’s Artist in Residency Program in 2019. I’ve had the opportunity to speak at Yale about my art and have been written in LA Magazine and Whisky Advocate. I love the idea of pushing art to its limit and turning the alcohol industry on its head as it is a male-dominated industry. As a Vietnamese woman, it is my duty to break social norms and create an inclusive environment for everyone through the language of art, culture and spirits. I get most excited about collaborating with people because it allows me to present concepts and ideas that make them feel great about themselves and/or their brands. Someone once told me, “You don’t fit in the alcohol industry because you think differently. You are meant to go off on your own and show companies and people that they need things they didn’t even realize they needed.”

My Philosophy

I love to collaborate with people. I think it's essential because it fosters growth and provides people to understand one another. I love to be people's HYPE MAN and create things that are inspired by them. Each month, I celebrate someone who inspires me and donate a portion of my art sales to that person's charity of choice.

Who I Am

I am a Vietnamese gal who loves whisky and creating custom cocktails for people. I also paint, sew, and draw things inspired by alcohol. I like to make booze inclusive and welcoming to consumers. At my core I am all about buy-two-get-one-free, Bone Thugs and burritos (Banh Mi, too, but mainly burritos. HAHA!).

Hello, Hearts!

Foreshots&Saints is an art form and a state of mind. It oscillates between two extremities. From a technical stance, foreshots is the beginning of the distillation that yields volatile chemicals like methanol, yet it is also a metaphor for life. Sometimes our path can lead us to a challenging road. It fills our spirit with harmful substances like anger or resentment, but it is essential for us to remember that after such heartache, this rocky path can transition its course and meander into an auspicious lane: the heart of a spirit run. After foreshots (in distillation) is “the heart” of the spirit run. It’s the flavor profile that master distillers capture because it typically yields notes of honey and pear. It is also a reminder that I must harness my emotions in an impactful way. While being passionate is good, expressing that excess emotion in moments of anger can be hurtful to others. Transferring that energy into art is empowering because the whole point of art, at least for me, is to explore emotions. I can provide a medium that may inspire others to create their own art on canvas and fill that space with joy and love. “Saints” is a historical reference to monks producing wine and beer, but it is also a reminder that my sole purpose and mission in life is to be a service to others. I can fill people’s lungs with laughter. I can also let my paintings be a safe space for people to sit with their wounds and process those feelings of discomfort without judgment. This is a way to heal the soul. I am not here to turn my back on a scab, but I am here to be Neosporin in someone’s life. My hope is that you are able to look at my pieces of art and feel uplifted. Let your head and heart be in the clouds. Daydream. Fly. Let your mind be free and have your spirit be filled with love, hope, and laughter.

-xoxo

Cookie Do