Expanded Print Shop. Now!
New Prints! To be honest, it took the longest time to realize and admit my prints are important part of acquiring Yubi Studio’s pieces. I had to repeat some markets and getting advice from trustworthy fellow artists to bring in really all the artworks as much as I can to give the audience widest choices to take some piece home. Through preparing the print shop and expanding it it did take a loong while, finding old works, sold works, sketches, I realized prints are definitely an amazing way to archive my works forever. I want to do as best I can to provide many ways as possible to take my piece of soul for you - please check out the updated print shop! 🩵
Rest
I am currently on like a phase 4 or 5 now on my personal collection- I lost count. It’s definitely the longest and most intense personal collection. I still don’t see the finishing line but I am happy to be in the zone under the world swimming in my world still. I know my timing and the timing of the world will clutch like the clock and will be able to take these works to the world.
The most important theme I have been exploring during this collection is Rest. I have been listening to Alex Soojung Song-Pang’s audio book “Rest” since September, heard it over and over again, now on his second book, “Shorter.” It has changed my routines completely. I see my work and rest totally differently. There are several elements in Rest that I already apply in my life with my creative work but just the idea itself Pang brings it’s brain shifter. Rest should be a good friend to work, and work should be a good friend to rest. Work cannot exist with rest, rest cannot exist without work. How beautiful is that? Never knew. But a life savor for sure because creative work is another intensity of “work” that rest is crucial.
I take naps now everyday when I never napped until I cannot stand tiredness, workout with intention not just because I want to be fit but for mentality. I wake up early as possible because I had to admit my creative brain is freshest right after dawn, and I work 4-5 hours a day max. And I take 3 days off during the week (I am still trying this!).
I used to feel a slight bit of insecurity when I think about walking into my studio. I don’t know why, it was a similar feeling between reaching expectations and also a fear my work will never end. But such restful routines faded that away, I know it will finish today and I have enough to recharge, and be happy on my next studio day.
Studio Life Everyday
I have recently heard from people around me they would love to see when I actually paint in the space. I never thought such natural state of mine could be such curiosity of others. Because it is just part of me it is so natural, but because of that it is certainly private and personal. However, rooting in home for a while and expanding my world here in Oklahoma living with a family member definitely have made me grow into a comfort zone where I am okay when someone may be watching. But I do admit, when I am in the flow and ready to dive in I usually do not dive in with someone which having another person would be an external element to consider. My process is when I need to focus the most to my senses, touches from my end of my fingers, thoughts that constantly make conversations for the best creative output and of my aesthetic attraction.
It was after my long trip overseas Korea + Europe in July I realized that painting is not just a hobby or talent anymore, it is a commitment. Work. But in a good sense. Healthy work should give me sense of drive, fulfillment, and that work should actually cycle me back to wanting to do more and challenge in different ways. I think it took me half a year or more to gain such sense of that healthy work identity as I jiggled my rest routines, finding best time slots to paint, traveling in between to balance connections with my loved ones. Which, then, my studio practice - full time artist identity - work - becomes part of my life. Just so naturally blending into my everyday. It’s not about clocking in or out, because even when I clock out my brain is still actually working unconsciously even when I stop painting (this is why Alex Pang says activities that give good rest is so important to get your unconscious work from then!). This feels similar to having someone intimate in my life and getting used to their routines, communication styles, sharing enough so our hearts align together. Being patient. And finally, art has become not just the love of my life, but a faithful company I can trust all the moments I live everyday. Art is with me like the air that I breathe. It is one with me.
I know this is true love because it is making me healthy. Art is transforming me not just a better person but a person who knows that is best for me. More vulnerable, more open to challenges, more brave to dive into the unknown. It’s powerful what love can do. It changes my old thoughts that I had about freedom and responsibility. When love enters, responsibility and commitment are not a sacrifice anymore. But just another beautiful way to portray and express my passion towards what I love.
I am searching more time to sew and quilt my own clothes to extend my sewing skills. I want to go hiking more often because hiking in strange, mysterious mountains all over Korea, Japan, and Europe was something I miss and I would like to find more magical lands here. I am excited to collaborate with a Hanbok studio in New Jersey and I want to make it happen in anyways next year. I was told there was a ceramics course here in Tulsa for 7-8 weeks. I would love to take a course! I am getting back to violin lessons next month. I am figuring out a plan to find an airbnb that will allow me to paint for few weeks, because I want to go no small scale, might make a mess. Finally, I trying to imagine how it would be like to have my own dedicated studio/gallery space on Cherry street (a decision to come!).
Confidence Built
Studio used to be like a runaway from the world, people, the internal chaos. A sanctuary where I can encounter the wars inside me so I can find my true self and my inner child. After becoming a full time artist, I realize that now I sink into the studio beyond measures of self; but to gain power so I can go out to the world. And there is this healthy tension between the world and my inner sanctuary: when I am out in the world I gradually become so ready to go back to my sanctuary and create because I actually also receive such energy and power from the world, when I am floating in my sanctuary I am counting down the days so I can take myself and my works to the light of the world. Whichever I am, I cannot live without both. I know I don’t want to be an isolator artist nor a superficial show window artist. Which, such balance I have gained between the two and amazing books I have been reading about confidence, have given me such confidence that I am okay wherever. The essence never changes, and I just had to see and experience myself in numerous places. And it took time and patience but it was worth it.
This draws back to the same idea of rest, as our brain cannot work on one thing for long time, but need to switch up the button (our nerves). And the exposure in the world does it for me. It’s such a rest. Doing markets, being in exhibits, traveling, everything. I would used to think if I am not painting I would think “non-painting” activity, but now I think all those “non-painting” activities are just not literally holding a brush, but falls into “unconsciously painting” activity that accumulates in hundreds of layers and ultimately leads into painting. So they are mandatory. All the life elements should, for an artist. If it does not serve you to be inspired or push you to be back to hold a brush, maybe two reasons: The action really does not serve you anymore as a creator, or you just have not created that sense of connection realizing your creative work has not dominated your non-creative activities in life. If so, make it work. Take time to build that art overcome your life no matter what you do wherever you are. That’s what I have gained the past half of the year.
It’s Thanksgiving and I am very thankful where I am. I am very astonished how I got here. It feels like a while after I graduated but it’s only has been a bit more than a year… Nevertheless, I have lived my best and accelerated as an artist as much as I can. I am very thankful for the community, people, the neighbors that always encouraged me to be “Yubi.” Whatever I paint, wherever I am traveling over seas, what kind of decision I am trying to make they have just trusted who I am and who I have been already. I have received a quote from a fellow artist that really echoed me and will root my next season with light and salt.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Creating! 🩵
xx Yubi