Recently, my work has been about building the “muscle” for daily painting. I have returned to creating small watercolor pieces in order to paint as many beautiful things in the world as possible. My recent mission is to capture beauty at a glance, often within just 15 minutes.

This kind of practice helps me create watercolor paintings that are clearer, more transparent, and filled with light. As I continue this training, I can feel myself improving. Areas that once felt blocked begin to open naturally. Along with that breakthrough comes a deep sense of fulfillment, and the paintings themselves become softer, brighter, and more effortless.

I focus on the natural brilliance of color itself and try to respect the organic flow and blooming that watercolor creates. When this balance is achieved, watercolor no longer becomes muddy. Acrylic and oil painting each have their own strengths, but watercolor possesses something uniquely beautiful — freedom, the poetry of flowing color, and the space that allows those beautiful accidents to happen.

When transparent layers of color overlap to create new colors, the luminosity becomes extraordinary. Sometimes I wonder if there is any medium that can express light as beautifully as watercolor. This light is not artificially scratched onto the surface with a brush; it is an unexpected gift naturally created by pigment, water, and paper together.

Working with watercolor also reduces the exhaustion of painting. I simply allow the water and pigments to do their work for me. The water continuously creates marbling effects, gently blending colors and settling them softly into the paper. When the pigments are absorbed well, they shine like morning sunlight. Seeing such paintings brings me immense joy.

For now, I want to continue painting the beauty of the world through watercolor. I want to capture as much beauty as I possibly can. I feel excited wondering what kind of art lovers I may meet through this journey. Just as people discovered and cherished my earlier works, I believe there will once again be those who recognize these paintings and welcome them into their spaces.

As artists, we often develop a desire to paint larger works. Large paintings carry a powerful presence. They feel grand, impressive, and somehow more professional. They are also better suited for competitions and exhibitions. In reality, painting these small studies may not directly advance my career in any dramatic way. But my goal this year is simple: to paint as much as possible.
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Without limitation, I want to continue capturing the beauty of the world.

Recently, many of my watercolor paintings have begun as postcard-sized works. Although they are small, I try to capture as much beauty, light, and atmosphere as possible within that limited space. These daily exercises and paintings have become deeply meaningful to me. Some of these cards are later given to friends as birthday or thank-you cards, while others are sold at outdoor art shows. Creating the delicate feeling of watercolor in such a small format is never easy, but it is always joyful. Each tiny painting feels like a miniature world of its own, filled with quiet beauty and peaceful landscapes. That is why I truly love this process.

Life can often feel exhausting and heavy. Recently, our community experienced a frightening situation when a fifth-grade student made threats involving a possible school shooting. Many parents, neighbors, police officers, and school staff were thrown into panic. It even appeared in the news. Whenever I witness events like this, I cannot help but feel heartbroken for children growing up under so much stress and emotional pressure.

For many years, researchers and educators have studied the positive effects of arts education on children and communities. Studies supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and youth development organizations have shown that participation in art programs can reduce aggression, improve emotional regulation, and lower delinquent behavior among at-risk youth. Other long-term studies have also found that children who regularly participate in arts and cultural activities tend to show lower levels of antisocial behavior and stronger social and emotional skills. Art gives young people a healthy way to express themselves, develop confidence, and build meaningful connections with the world around them.

Whenever I read these studies, I am reminded again of the importance of arts education. Children need joyful and creative lives filled with culture, imagination, and beauty. They need opportunities to explore who they are and to become deeply absorbed in something meaningful. I believe this is important not only for children, but also for adults.

There is something incredibly valuable about creating a single painting, feeling a sense of accomplishment, improving little by little each day, and sharing beauty with others. I understand deeply how precious that kind of life can be.
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I feel very grateful that God gave me this artistic gift. Because of that gratitude, I always try to share it through teaching and through art itself. Even these small daily postcard paintings are an extension of that thankfulness. Each tiny card may look simple, but to me, it represents a quiet celebration of beauty, growth, and hope in everyday life.

This recently completed watercolor captures a spring day on the Stony Brook campus. It began with a simple but strong desire I’ve held this year—to paint works that feel brighter, more luminous, and full of gentle radiance.

When winter fades and spring arrives, nature unfolds its colors with quiet confidence. What moved me most was the way the trees seemed to hold light within them. The central tree in this painting is not just a tree—it feels like a living presence embracing the season. Its blossoms burst into soft pinks, scattering into the air like light itself, blending with the sky.

In this piece, I focused less on precise details and more on atmosphere and emotion. Rather than capturing an exact scene, I wanted to express how spring feels—the way light spreads, how colors dissolve and flow into one another. Watercolor, with its natural softness and fluidity, allowed me to follow that intention.

Beneath the tree, a small figure sits quietly on a bench. Perhaps it is a reflection of ourselves—pausing, even briefly, to take in a moment of beauty. In the midst of busy days, these quiet pauses become something lasting.

This year, I hope to continue painting scenes like this—brighter, warmer, and filled with light. Paintings that allow us to set aside the weight of reality for a moment and simply rest within color and light.
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I hope this piece brings a small sense of spring to you as well.