My love of art began when I was a child growing up in South Korea. I loved drawing and painting from an early age, but when it came time to choose a career, I followed a very different path. I pursued science and moved to the United States in 1997 for graduate studies at Texas A&M University, where I eventually earned my Ph.D. I went on to work as a research scientist and lecturer, while art remained an important but quieter part of my life.
In 2011, I felt a strong desire to return to painting and began pursuing it seriously, without knowing where it might lead. I took classes, explored different media, and spent a great deal of time experimenting and finding my own artistic voice. A major turning point came in 2012 when I discovered watercolor batik. I became fascinated by the process of layering watercolor and melted wax on paper and began experimenting with different papers, colors, and techniques. Over time, I developed my own approach to the medium. My Korean heritage and my life in Texas both influence the way I create. I am especially inspired by nature and the Texas landscape—trees, wildflowers, water, parks, and the changing light and colors around me. Rather than simply painting what I see, I use color and texture to express how a place feels to me. I have also learned to embrace the unexpected qualities of watercolor batik. Wax drips, irregular lines, and unpredictable movement of color are not necessarily mistakes; they can become some of the most interesting parts of a painting.
My career as an artist developed gradually rather than according to a plan. I kept painting, experimenting, entering exhibitions, and taking opportunities as they came. Along the way, my work has received awards and been included in exhibitions, publications, museums, and private and public collections. Being selected for the Art of Texas Parks project and recognized as a Centennial Painter was an especially meaningful milestone in my journey.
Looking back, I see that my background in science has also shaped me as an artist. Science taught me to observe, experiment, solve problems, and stay curious—qualities I use in the studio every day. My path from South Korea to Texas, from scientist to professional artist, has certainly not been a straight one, but each experience has contributed to the artist I am today.
I continue to explore new ideas, materials, and ways of expressing what inspires me. Perhaps the most important thing I have learned is that it is never too late to return to something you love. I could never have predicted where painting would take me when I began again in 2011. I simply kept creating, learning, and following the opportunities that came my way, and I am grateful that my childhood love of art eventually became my life and career.
