He studied and learned for years, hopping from teacher to teacher, while simultaneously juggling his education and personal life. For Lin, those early years were physically demanding but intensely rewarding. Luckily, he had the support and admiration of his family throughout the duration of his apprenticeships. Upon leaving the tutelage of his masters, Lin immediately found work – and a home – in Buddhist temples. There, he saw the cultural, religious, and historical value of his work. Echoes of Buddhist culture were seen in his early studio work as an independent artist, and they continue to have a profound impact on his pieces.

Now, Lin finds inspiration in all facets of his life, including personal experiences, travels, and even daily life with his wife, Chen Qin, a fellow wood carver. In this view, wood carving is a lens for Lin and his family to experience, and positively influence, the world around them.

At the present time, Lin finds great joy in belonging in teaching apprentices. His selection process for prospective apprentices is stringent, as they are required to have a solid foundation in the arts and dedication to the physically-laborious craft. Despite that, he treats his apprentices as an extension of his career, and the careers of those he descended from. He sees himself in his young apprentices, and has great confidence in their ability to carry the torch, rewrite the story, and kindle a worldwide appreciation for classical Chinese wood carving. One chisel at a time.