Learning is not simply the accumulation of knowledge. It is a transformative force that has the ability to renew, restore, and give life.

In times of difficulty, the act of studying can provide focus, purpose, and hope. Challenges in coursework may be demanding, yet within those challenges, there is often a sense of progress and inspiration. Many people discover that when they engage deeply with learning, they feel more alive, more confident, and more connected to their future.
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Education, at its best, is not limited to information or skill-building. It is a process that strengthens resilience, heals inner wounds, and opens new possibilities. To learn is to believe that growth is still possible, no matter one’s age or circumstance.
This is why learning remains such a powerful gift. It does not simply prepare us for careers or achievements; it restores the human spirit and reminds us that we are capable of renewal.

In just a few days, summer break will come to an end, and a new semester will begin. Soon I will reopen my classes and return to the rhythm of everyday life with my students. As I prepare for this transition, I cannot help but feel that time has passed far too quickly. I can almost still feel the cool breeze from the ocean on my skin, and the sparkle of sunlight over the water remains vivid in my mind. It seems as if those summer days were only yesterday, and yet autumn is already upon us.

Looking back, however, I feel grateful for this summer. Above all, I am glad that I allowed myself to rest fully and without guilt. It is never easy to slow down and step away from daily responsibilities, but this summer I made a conscious effort to create space for rest. Because of that choice, both my body and my mind feel lighter, and I now feel prepared to move forward with renewed energy toward new goals.

Even while resting, I never completely set aside my art. I picked up my brushes here and there, making small sketches and watercolor studies whenever inspiration came. These moments were not about productivity or volume but about joy—simple, quiet reminders of why I love to paint. In fact, those scattered drawings became some of the most meaningful memories of my summer. They gave me a sense of connection to creativity without pressure or deadlines.
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As the semester begins, I know the days will grow busier, filled with lessons, preparation, and the steady flow of responsibilities. Yet the memory of summer will remain within me, like a gentle rhythm underneath the noise of daily life. The rest I enjoyed is now a source of strength, and the quiet moments of painting have become seeds for future growth. With the ocean breeze still fresh in my heart, I am ready to take my next steps into this new season.

On August 17, we held the second Plein Air Collective gathering. Yet, something unexpected happened: no staff from Gallery North came to open the space. Artists who had arrived with anticipation soon found themselves turning back home. Still, a few chose to remain and paint. I, too, set up my spot and began to work.

But it was difficult to stay long. Painting for three continuous hours without access to restrooms created an underlying sense of unease. At that moment, I realized how truly fortunate we had been to work in comfortable and supportive environments before. What we often take for granted—a safe, open, and welcoming space—revealed itself to be a blessing.

This experience also made me reflect on the idea of perseverance. To keep working until the very end, despite discomfort or unexpected obstacles, is no small challenge. It was inspiring to see the two artists who remained focused until the end. Their quiet dedication reminded me that persistence, not convenience, is what sustains creativity.

In art, as in life, expertise comes not from one burst of inspiration but from steady, daily practice. To become a professional in any field—painting, music, or beyond—requires consistency above all else. As the saying goes, “If you keep doing something little by little, one day you will become an expert.” This gathering, though disrupted, became a lesson in just that truth.
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Though I wasn’t able to paint for long, the day left me with lasting reflections. It reminded me that true growth often comes not from ease but from challenge. I look forward to our future gatherings, hoping for better conditions, but also with a deeper respect for the strength it takes to keep going, brush in hand, no matter the circumstances.

Here's one of the nice comments I received today.

This is a post I wrote about what happened when my child first drew a rose with me when he was five years old. I remember how difficult it was for him to draw a rose for the first time, and I documented that process.

​So, I wrote this very short and simple post, wondering how I could help a five-year-old understand and confidently draw the complex rose.

​This article, though short, was well-received because it was based on real-life experiences. However, after a recent comment, I went back to the previous page and discovered that several images had been replaced with incorrect ones, so I made corrections.

Clearly, it was a rose before, but I was surprised to suddenly see snow. And I feel sorry for visitors who might have thought it wasn't a rose. However, the fact that the image changed like this without my knowledge is due to a fatal flaw in Weebly.

​The simplest way to avoid overwriting when saving images is to use screen capture. If you download images directly, you'll need to name them each time, and if you save them with the same name, the previous file will be overwritten by the new one. However, screen captures automatically generate file names, and they're usually numbered with the date and time of capture, preventing duplicate names. Therefore, using the capture method allows you to safely and continuously save images without file name conflicts.

One of the trickiest parts of teaching kids figure drawing is poses. It’s easy enough to draw someone simply sitting or standing, but when it comes to big movements—jumping, stretching, twisting the body, or showing flowing hair—children often find it overwhelming. That’s why it’s better not to start with complicated anatomy or proportion lessons. Instead, we can guide them to experience natural, lively movement playfully.

That’s when I realized how useful animation can be. Animated characters are always full of energy, expressing emotions through exaggerated gestures. This makes even complex poses feel much more approachable. Since kids are already familiar with their favorite animated characters, they can naturally observe and ask themselves: “How does this character move when they run?” or “What lines appear when they stretch their arms?” and then try to capture it on paper.

Recently, I tried this approach with my students using the book “Mastering Manga” alongside animation references. We started with the basic guides from the book, then moved on to studying animated scenes. One student drew a jumping pose with long hair flowing in the air—something far more exciting than just sitting still. Another student tried a confident stance with hands on the hips, and in the process began to understand balance and weight distribution without even realizing it.

The best part is that they never get bored. Kids don’t see the poses as “assignments” or “studying”—they feel like they’re capturing snapshots from an animated story. Each time they finish a pose, they light up with excitement: “Wow, this really looks like a manga character!” That joy keeps them motivated and builds their confidence.

Animation is also a great learning tool because of its exaggeration. A stretched arm, for instance, isn’t just a straight line—it’s a sweeping curve full of energy. By practicing this, kids naturally develop a sense of line flow and rhythm, skills that will help them later when they move on to more realistic figure drawing.

I plan to keep incorporating animation into my lessons. By analyzing favorite cartoon scenes together and sketching the poses, the classroom becomes a space where learning meets play. Kids stay engaged, their creativity blossoms, and they gain a deeper understanding of how to express life and movement in their art.
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Figure drawing, after all, is not just about technique—it’s about capturing motion and emotion. And if animation can make that process fun and accessible, children will not only keep drawing, but may even grow into young artists who create their own characters and stories someday.