Founder & Art Professional
Meet Pinghui Ren
Building community through collaborative painting workshops
From Fine Arts to Fort Bragg
A graduate of the prestigious Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, Pinghui Ren has spent her life immersed in the world of visual expression—from traditional painting and sketching to digital graphics and film. Her artistic journey took an unexpected turn when she began serving as a language instructor at the US John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center & Schools (SWCS), where she discovered the power of teaching and connecting with the military community.
Her military service expanded beyond teaching—as an enlisted reservist, she created visual information and art for the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), bringing military stories to life through design. Currently serving in the US Army Reserves, Pinghui brings a rare blend of artistic mastery and military precision to everything she creates.
The Moment That Started It All
"Why should this transformative experience be limited to military functions?"
The vision for Muse & Co was born from an unexpected commission. Lieutenant General Braga personally asked Pinghui to organize a paint and sip event for service members and families of his command.
What was meant to be a simple morale event transformed into something magical— soldiers who had never held a paintbrush discovered hidden talents, spouses found community through creativity, and children proudly showed off their masterpieces.
The overwhelming feedback and enthusiasm from that first event led to several follow-ups, each one growing larger and more vibrant than the last. Watching hardened warriors laugh over spilled paint and military families bond over blank canvases, Pinghui realized this was more than just an event — it was a movement.
That question became the foundation of Muse & Co: bringing that same creative sanctuary to all of Fayetteville.
Recognition & Excellence
While maintaining her own art studio in downtown Raleigh, Pinghui achieved a career milestone when her work "The Seasons" was featured on the North Carolina Museum of Art park billboards in 2021.
The success of her Raleigh studio and museum recognition, combined with the overwhelming response to Lieutenant General Braga's commissioned events, crystallized a vision: merging professional artistry with the welcoming, transformative atmosphere of those military paint and sip gatherings.
This fusion of high art accessibility and community connection became the blueprint for Muse & Co.
Credentials & Experience
- Lu Xun Academy
- Fine arts degree
- Traditional Arts
- Oil & watercolor
- Digital Design
- Graphics & film
- SWCS Instructor
- Language & culture
- USASOC Artist
- Visual information
- Museum Artist
- NC Museum of Art
Military Service Through Art
Pinghui's artwork for the US Army Special Operations Command, honoring service members and commemorating significant moments in military history
Black History Month Painting
Created for USASOC
Commemorating Black History
Honoring contributions to military service
9/11 Remembrance Painting
With Lt. General Braga and CSM Naumann
These commissioned works reflect Pinghui's deep connection to the military community
Our Vision Today
Muse & Co has evolved into more than Pinghui and her husband Isaac could have imagined—a creative crossroads where military precision meets artistic freedom, where boba culture blends with canvas dreams, and where every person who walks through our doors becomes part of our story.
Whether you're a soldier seeking stress relief, a parent looking for family bonding, or an artist chasing inspiration, you'll find your place here.
Pinghui brings the artistic vision while Isaac, an active duty service member and University of North Carolina graduate focused on technology and marketing, ensures Muse & Co connects with the community through innovation and outreach.
What Makes Us Special
A unique blend of boba tea culture and creative expression
Premium Boba & Fruit Tea
Expertly crafted boba milk teas and refreshing fruit teas to fuel your creative sessions
Fruit Tea Selection
Fresh fruit teas with real fruit pieces and customizable sweetness levels
Art Supplies Provided
All materials included for painting, sketching, and sculpting
Where Military Meets Artistry
Born from a Lieutenant General's vision and nurtured by the Fort Bragg community, Muse & Co stands as a testament to what happens when military discipline meets creative freedom.
Whether you're active duty seeking stress relief, a military spouse building community, or a civilian curious about creativity, you'll find your inspiration here. This is where warriors become artists, where families create memories, and where Fayetteville comes together —one brushstroke at a time.