Artist’s Journal: Reflections on Resilience
In this essay, I share how my view of nature changed. Back in Korea, I barely noticed the plants around me, but in the New Mexico desert, I found deep meaning in the life that thrives there. As I document how this dry landscape reshaped my life and my art, I reflect on the quiet strength it takes to survive and bloom in even the harshest places.
A New Perspective from New Mexico
When I lived in Korea, I didn’t pay much attention to plants. Flowers were simply seasonal decor, and trees were mere scenery. However, moving to New Mexico, the dry winds that carried sand taught me how extraordinary green life truly is. My view shifted from passive observation to active appreciation. Nature was no longer just a backdrop, but a source of awe and respect.
Have You Ever Seen a Lotus in the Desert?
The Rio Grande is the lifeblood of New Mexico, nurturing native vegetation in an otherwise arid climate. In August 2020, while visiting an old house near the river, I encountered a sight I never imagined: lotus buds growing in a corner of still water.
Seeing a lotus bloom in the desert was striking. It did not look perfect; in fact, it looked as though it were struggling. Yet it was more than just a plant to me. It represented a quiet and fierce power, the kind of strength needed to break through countless limitations. That beautiful energy captivated me. Perhaps I resonated with it because I, too, was struggling to survive and find my place in this unfamiliar land.
Why I Chose to Paint Flowers
After moving to the U.S., I stopped creating altogether for a while. Weary of making images that demanded ‘correct’ answers, I questioned if I should continue creating at all. However, after finding peace by watching the moon in New Mexico, I realized I wanted to create art that didn’t need to be evaluated by anyone else.
Link: Follow the Moon in New Mexico
The moon alone could not capture the full depth of my emotions. I searched for a companion to that image to express the awe and sincerity I felt. The first piece I created featured peonies. I was not a ‘plant person,’ but even I knew the peony as a symbol of elegance. To me, that large bud felt like an oasis in the desert, its endless petals like a prayer sent to the moon.
The lotus I encountered in the desert confirmed that this was not just a fantasy. It turned my vision into reality, showing me that beauty holds incredible energy. I had an intuition that I would be painting ‘The Moon and Flowers’ for a long time. My heart grew, and I ordered large boards. Unfamiliar with the materials, I cradled the canvas in my arms as if it were a living thing, painting with a gentle and caressing touch.
Read my thoughts on ‘Standing at the Edge’ on my About page
The Message Within the Drought
In the summer of 2025, I read that the Rio Grande had dried up. Human greed and environmental change are reshaping our world, and this brutal drought may only be the beginning. It is a painful reality to accept. Yet, I hold onto hope. I once read about lotus seeds in Japan that were 2,000 years old and bloomed again after centuries. Even in this harsh drought, nature continues to send messages to those standing at the edge of the world.
