Lydia Kim
Duluth, Georgia
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Favorite Coffee Joint: Hansel and Gretel Bakery
Drink of Choice: Rooibos Tea
Favorite Cartoon Character: Spiderman
Stolen Artwork of Choice: "Nana" by Niki de Saint-Phalle
Favorite Museum: Tate Modern
Dream Vacation: France
Breakfast of Choice: Open-Face Smoked Salmon Bagel
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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 all my 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 and 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, it became more important to me to convey honesty and a quiet image of my soul.
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 it’s own influence. I paint the backgrounds with many layers and different colors until I find the shade I am looking for. 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.
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