Born Don Xin Xu, Ling was the oldest child in an exceptionally artistic family. What should have been a nurturing creative upbringing was stunted thanks to the Cultural Revolution. When she was nine years old, Ling was separated from her family to work on a farm. Though she was denied a formal education, Ling would listen to illegal western news broadcasts and sitcoms in English. When the Cultural Revolution ended ten years later, Ling decided to become and English teacher. While teaching, Ling remembered her passion for drawing and art and soon decided to pursue art professionally. Ling is known for creating pieces that seamlessly blend Western and Eastern artistic styles.