I have been drawing ever since I was a little girl. I was very sick as a young child and, as a result, spent much of my childhood in the hospital. Drawing was my only outlet to give me peace and joy from loneliness. As I grew up, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be an artist. I studied oriental painting extensively as a college student in South Korea. After graduating with a degree in oriental painting, I wanted to share the therapeutic effects of art I experienced as a child with others, so I studied art therapy in graduate school. Throughout my studies, I met with many patients who had emotional scars. By experiencing art with the patients, I began to understand art at a deeper level, and my paintings began to be more honest and expressive of my inner self. Instead of painting simply for aesthetics and beauty, conveying honesty and a quiet image of my soul became more important. I use Korean mulberry paper and pigments mixed with a glue base. These materials are perfect for preserving the process within the painting itself. Each layer of paint soaks into the paper, adding its own influence. I paint the backgrounds with many layers and colors until I find the shade I want. The solid color backgrounds represent my life and are a new world for the subject of the painting. By taking the subject out of its native environment and placing it in mine, I am able to project my emotions and feelings. As an artist, I will continue to listen to my emotions and quietly tell my story. I want people who see my art to get a glimpse into my soul, my story, and to experience healing.