NASCAR PAINTINGS
On the day before the stay-at-home orders began in L.A., I rushed to the art supply store. With an indefinite lockdown period beginning, I channeled all my anxiety into these crashing NASCAR paintings. The idea has since expanded into a zine that will be released in 2021.
MINHWA
Ink and traditional Korean paint on Korean paper. Mounted on scrolls.
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles I found the K-Art Center, a small group of traditional Korean painters in K-Town. Sofia Kim, the founder, welcomed me into this tight knit group and I’ve been practicing this art form since January 2018. At that time, I was suffering from reverse culture shock and found solace quietly painting as they gave me painting instruction in broken English and Korean. We were able to overcome language barriers through a love of art. I’ve completed many Minhwa paintings now, but these scrolls are what I’m most proud of.
UNSANCTIONED ART IN KOREA
While teaching English in Korea, I discovered a massive tunnel system nobody had ever painted before. I spent quite a few weekends here with local and international graffiti writers. Inspired by Minhwa, a traditional Korean art form, I tried something other than letters. There’s also a graffiti production I did with 3 friends, our names busting out of the wall.
RAW CANVAS PAINTINGS
I moved to L.A. without a plan and randomly ended up living in an artist compound in Chinatown. In-between freelancing gigs, I did these paintings using raw canvas, acrylic, enamel, and dye. I was pretty stoked when they all sold and paid my rent.
BRASS KNUCKLES AND SPOONS
Michelangelo saw an angel in marble. I saw a more efficient way to eat cereal in a 2 x 4.