Why Summer Vacation Matters for Artists | Rest, Reflection, and Creativity“Why Summer Vacation Matters: The Importance of Break Time for Artists”: Why Summer Vacation Matters: The Importance of Break Time for Artists As summer arrives, many people look forward to vacations, family trips, or simply slowing down to enjoy longer days and warmer nights. For artists, this season offers something even more precious: the opportunity to rest, reflect, and recharge the creative soul. While art may seem like a profession born purely of inspiration and passion, it also demands a tremendous amount of emotional labor, mental focus, and often physical energy. That’s why summer vacation—and any intentional break—is not just a luxury, but a vital part of an artist’s life. I Have a Good Chance to Relax and ReflectThis summer, I find myself grateful for the chance to step away from my daily routines. After months of teaching, painting, storytelling, and managing my creative commitments, I finally have some breathing room. It’s not just about sleeping in or enjoying a cup of tea on the porch (though those are lovely too)—it’s about giving my mind the spaciousness it needs to process everything that has happened over the past year. Sometimes, when we’re caught up in our busy schedules, we don’t even realize how cluttered our thoughts have become. Summer allows me to declutter—not just my home or studio—but my inner world. I take this time to look back on the projects I’ve completed, the students I’ve taught, and the stories I’ve told. What worked? What didn’t? What made me come alive? What drained me? These are the questions that arise when there is time to think without pressure. Without this reflection, I’d likely repeat the same cycles without growth or change. Why Break Time is Essential for Artists Here are a few deeper reasons why breaks are so essential for creative people: 1. Creativity Needs Stillness Inspiration doesn’t come from constant output. It often comes in moments of quiet—walking by the ocean, watching the light change through the trees, listening to birdsong without rushing off somewhere. The brain is not a machine that can keep producing endlessly. Rest allows ideas to rise naturally to the surface, often when we least expect it. 2. Prevention of Burnout Artistic burnout is real. Whether you're working on commissions, teaching, preparing exhibitions, or even creating content for social media or blogs, the constant demand to “make” can be draining. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion, self-doubt, or even disconnection from why you started creating in the first place. Taking a break—whether it’s a week off or a slow-paced summer—protects your long-term wellbeing and helps you sustain your practice for years to come. 3. Space for Exploration When we’re not focused on productivity, we have room to experiment. During vacation, I might pick up a new medium, try a new recipe, or read a book that has nothing to do with art. And yet, somehow, all of these experiences feed back into my creative life. Exploration without pressure is how we stay fresh and inspired. 4. Healing and Reconnection For many artists, the act of creating is intertwined with healing. Whether we’re processing personal experiences, expressing emotions, or making sense of the world, art is often deeply personal. A break offers time to reconnect with ourselves—not as creators or performers, but simply as human beings. Nature walks, naps, family meals, or even boredom—all have healing power. From that healing, new artistic energy can grow. Summer as a Sacred Pause I’ve come to see summer not just as a season, but as a sacred pause. In Korean, there is a saying: “쉬는 것도 일이다,” which means “Resting is also part of the work.” This has become one of my mantras. Taking time to rest does not mean I am falling behind. It means I am preparing for what’s next. When I rest deeply, I return to my work with a clearer mind, a fuller heart, and hands ready to create again. This summer, I hope to give myself permission to enjoy the small things—sunsets, sketching with no purpose, listening to stories, or just watching clouds pass. These small joys are where I find the spark of life again. And from that spark, art is born. So if you’re an artist—or even if you’re not—take this as your invitation: make space to pause. Protect your break time. It is not laziness. It is a wise investment in your inner life. Because creativity, like nature, needs its seasons. 
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How I Appeared on Google Knowledge Panel as an Author | Myungja Anna KohMy First Step Toward the Google Knowledge PanelBy Myungja Anna Koh Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to see my name appear in a special box on Google — the Google Knowledge Panel. When I searched “Myungja Anna Koh Hello My Robin,” a section titled “See results about” with my name and the label “Author” appeared. Under that, Google also listed my published book, Hello My Robin, along with the option to claim this knowledge panel. What Is a Google Knowledge Panel?A Knowledge Panel is the box of verified information that appears on the right-hand side of Google Search when someone looks up a known person, organization, or creative work. It gathers details from trusted public sources such as:
How Did I Appear on the Panel?I believe several factors contributed:
What Happens Next?I haven’t claimed the panel yet — but I now have the option to do so! Claiming it would allow me to:
Final Thoughts This moment reminded me that consistent effort, honest storytelling, and sharing creative work really do add up. I started with watercolor sketches and a dream. And now, Google recognizes me by name. I’ll keep going — with painting, writing, and sharing. One day, I hope my work continues to touch more people’s lives. Discover how watercolor artist and author Myungja Anna Koh appeared on Google’s Knowledge Panel with her book Hello My Robin. Learn how local recognition, consistent online presence, and creative publishing helped her gain digital visibility.  How I Learned Why My Name Appeared with a Search Card on Google A few years ago, when I searched for my own name--Myungja Anna Koh—on Google, something strange but exciting happened. Alongside the usual search results, there was a highlighted box on the right-hand side that read, “See results about Myungja Anna Koh.” At the time, I didn’t understand what it meant. Why was my name appearing like this? Was it something I did, or was it just a coincidence? At that point, I had no idea what a Google Knowledge Panel was, let alone how to claim or manage it. I wasn't a tech expert or SEO professional—I was (and still am) an artist, educator, and writer simply trying to share my work and connect with the world. But everything began to change as I continued blogging regularly on my site. Through this process, I slowly began learning the mechanics of digital presence, search visibility, and how Google recognizes entities (such as people, organizations, and creative works). I realized that these visible search cards are generated when Google’s systems detect consistent, credible information about a person across various sources—websites, books, galleries, and social media. In my case, I had published a children’s book titled Hello, My Robin, participated in local exhibitions, written artist statements, and maintained a website with a clear identity and regular blog updates. Over time, this created enough online “signals” for Google to associate my name with an author identity. Eventually, I discovered that the search card I saw was a type of author entity panel—Google's way of organizing and connecting search results around my creative work. I was also introduced to platforms like Wikidata, Google Books, and structured data tools that helped me understand how authors, artists, and creators can gain more visibility online. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: you don’t need to be famous to be seen—you just need to be consistent, intentional, and open to learning. Through years of blogging, publishing, and showing up as an artist, I slowly became “discoverable” online—not because I chased fame, but because I shared my work with care and authenticity. Today, I’m grateful that I didn’t give up on documenting my creative journey. These little signs—like seeing my name highlighted in a Google search—remind me that every small step we take in building our presence does matter.  Starting a Blog? Why the Silent Phase Matters More Than You ThinkHave you just started your blog? Did you recently sign up for Weebly and publish your first post? If so, it’s no surprise that you’ve landed here—on my site. You see, I’ve been running my Weebly blog for years, documenting every problem I encountered, the solutions I discovered, and the emotional highs and lows along the way. If you’re new, I want to begin by saying: Congratulations. You’ve made a wonderful decision. Just started a blog and feel like no one's listening? You're not alone. Here's why every successful blogger goes through a silent phase—and why it's the most important time to keep going. The Courage to Share Your StoryMaybe you started your blog to promote your work, build a brand, share your art or ideas—or simply to tell your personal story. Whatever your reason, the truth is: The decision to put your voice out into the world is already something meaningful. The world is ready to hear what you have to say. Whether You Got AdSense Approval or NotMaybe you've already been approved for AdSense. If so—congratulations again! It’s exciting to see those ads appear on your site. It feels like a milestone. But maybe you didn’t get approved. That’s okay too. Honestly, most people don’t get approved the first time. But rejection doesn’t mean failure. It just means not yet. Keep trying. You’ll get there. And even if you’re already approved, you might still be feeling disappointed. You might feel like AdSense is “broken”—like nothing is happening. I’ve been there too. The Period of SilenceIf you’ve just started blogging, you’ll almost certainly go through a period where nothing seems to happen. No comments. No traffic. No clicks. No income. It might feel like you’re speaking into a void—like no one’s reading, no one’s listening. But here’s what I want you to know: Even during that silence, people are reading your posts. Google is indexing them. They’re being quietly discovered. One day, they will reemerge. Loudly. You Have to Get Through This PartHere’s the thing: This “silent period” has nothing to do with how good your writing is, how many posts you’ve published, or how hard you’re working. It’s just a natural part of the process. And yes—this is the phase where most people give up. Because it’s hard to stay motivated when you feel invisible. But if you keep going, keep writing, and keep sharing-- you’ll look back on this time and realize how necessary it was. I used to describe it as talking to a wall. But now, I know—my words were seeds. They just needed time to take root. The Tunnel Will EndThis may feel like a long, dark tunnel. But it doesn’t go on forever. Sometimes, one of your old posts—one you’d completely forgotten about-- suddenly starts getting traffic. It appears on Google. It gets shared. And it brings people to your site. When that happens, it feels like magic. Like all those quiet hours finally come back to greet you—with joy. If You’re on the Edge of Giving UpIf you’re feeling discouraged—if you’re wondering whether to keep going-- I want to say this to you:
Keep GoingYou’ve taken the first step—and it’s a big one. The internet is flooded with people competing for attention, but few have the patience to build something real, something lasting. You do. And that makes all the difference. If you’ve just started your blogging journey, Welcome. You’re not alone. I've been where you are, and I’m still walking this road too. Don’t quit now. The breakthrough often comes right after the silence. And when it does—it’s worth every moment of waiting. Written with care, AnnaKoh.com  Scam Awareness for Artists – Blog Series by Anna Koh
In today’s hyper-connected world, artists are more visible—and more vulnerable—than ever. With the rise of online exhibitions, social media, and direct outreach platforms, many creatives now face a growing wave of scams that target their passion, trust, and desire for opportunity. From fake gallery invitations to fraudulent PayPal notices, these deceptive schemes are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.
This blog series gathers key posts I’ve written to document and share my experiences and insights as a working artist. It includes real examples of scam emails, warning signs, and responses that helped me—and hopefully, will help you too. Whether you're just starting your creative career or already established, learning to recognize red flags can protect both your art and your peace of mind. Let this be a resource for awareness, support, and empowerment—because no artist should feel isolated or ashamed for being targeted.
Toward New Horizons – A Watercolor Card to Celebrate Graduation and Studying AbroadA student who once helped me with my work from time to time—always so bright, kind, and thoughtful—has just graduated from high school and is preparing to enter Stony Brook University. Even more impressively, she has decided to study abroad, stepping into a new world full of opportunity and discovery. When I heard about her decision to pursue college overseas, I wanted to give her something meaningful to mark this big transition. I chose one of my original watercolor paintings and turned it into a card. The image features a misty seascape with distant buildings and flowing colors—symbolizing the feeling of leaving the familiar and setting out across the ocean into the unknown.  Inside the card, I wrote: Dear Yilin,  I also tucked in an Amazon gift card—just a small, practical gesture to help her as she prepares for this new beginning.
The gift bag, boldly marked with “2025,” felt like the perfect final touch. I hope this simple yet thoughtful package reminds her of all the people cheering her on as she embarks on her journey. To Yilin, and to all students stepping into the future: may your path be filled with light, growth, and wonder. |
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