“Songs of the Earth”, a series of black & white photographs are quiet meditations on nature, live or inanimate, its rhythm, force, harmony, joy and wonder.

“In the Presence of... “ is a series of color photographs that reflects "Presence" in the universe, connection with inner and universal spirits, and yearning for that connection.  The images emerged in my mind in spring when new life shows as I was deeply grieving and longing for my mother who died three years earlier.  My heart was aching mixed with joy and wonder – these images are my attempt to connect with her spirit.

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers", Claude Monet said.  I, too, owe them for becoming a photographer.  They are continuous sources of wonder and joy, and sustain my passion in the visual arts. "Sheer Delights and Beyond" is a series of colorful floral images.  In figurative and abstract manner, capturing flowers’ prime moment of blossom, I express and share my feelings of beauty, wonder, love, just sheer delight.  

 “Songs of the Earth”, “In the Presence of...”, and “Sheer Delights and Beyond”.   These photographic series were exhibited at the Kerrytown Concert House (2005 and 2006) and the University of Michigan Pierpont Commons, both in Ann Arbor, MI in 2006.

“Phoetry” (Photographic Poems)  

Most images in “Phoetry I and II” are from my immediate surroundings, my home and garden, and from neighborhood walks in Michigan where I lived for many years.  They are my visual musings, lyrical mindscapes, songs of admiration, delights, gratitude, love and connection through all seasons.

"Phoetry III - Abstract"   are mostly abstracted images from nature or man-made structures. They are simplified forms/shapes or close-ups of representational reality or visually ambiguous ones. The images may convey certain notions, serve as metaphors or give new meanings, and often are just visually pleasing and interesting.

Phoetry I

Phoetry II

Phoetry III - Abstract

"Field Study"  

Most images in Field Study are “after bloom” findings in my garden - soon to disappear and be forgotten.  They are common, trivial, seldom noticed or often ignored and in transition.  I want to highlight them in close up view to show their beauty in these states.  In the spirit of wabi sabi, this is my homage to the wonder of their existence, the ephemeral nature and randomness of life, and the hope and promise of eternal renewal.

“Mandalhwa” 

A note on “Mandalhwa”, Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit and is a spiritual symbol in Indian religions representing the universe.  It has become a generic term for any pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically.  Hwa means painting/image or flower in Korean and is part of my first name.  I created photographic images of floral arrangements in mandala form for their inherent visual appeal and symbolic meaning.  Hence my title, “Mandalhwa”.

Through flowers I express my love of nature and life in its totality, and in the mandala form I represent the infinite cycle of life.  The process of artistic concinnity (harmonious arrangement) is my meditation. Immersed in creating, I feel one with the intricate design and experience connection and unity among the images and a universal whole.  This state and process brings me serenity and joy.

" Way of Flow"

These are photographs of my acrylic abstract flow paintings. I pour several acrylic colors in various combination on canvas and make them flow in different ways. The resulting paintings created partly by design and mostly by serendipity are abstract fantasy pieces of rhapsodic nature and they delight me. They look very organic with their cells full of life and movement - they remind me of many things, e.g., elemental forces of nature such as ocean waves, fire or lava flow, layers of geological strata, images of our cosmos, even the complex layers within our own minds, indeed how life flows and unfolds.

" Flow~er"

These are photographs of my acrylic abstract flow paintings that evoke flowers. I try to express the lively energy that resides in living organisms and celebrate those dynamic flowing spirits that emerge in growing and blooming.

One a Day

Daily personal project, 2020 ~

From my photo archives, I select one image a day that reflects my sentiment of that day.  This is an exercise to write a visual poem to refresh and nourish my spirits.....

Wide View

These are mostly wide angle/panorama photographs.

Floating Still

These are polaroid emulsion transfer images that I experimented with in the mid-1990s.  Seeing captured images stored in an old box evokes nostalgic feeling in 2020 Covid time.  It comforts me that I still find them beautiful after 25 years and I give silent nod to myself.   Bygone time/memory still fluctuates in diaphanous form of my own space/time fabric.

Woven Paper Art

These images are based on pictures of woven paper art made with my watercolor painted paper.  I find weaving a metaphor for understanding the workings of the universe and our place in it.  We are woven into this world and connected to one another through multitudes of different threads across time, space and other beings. Our own thoughts, behaviors and life histories are products of myriad interwoven elements.  I enjoy watching and creating the emerging pattens and connectivity the weaving offers, through blending different colors, shapes and arrangements.  

Whispers of Love: Greeting Cards

These are handmade greeting cards, mostly with a floral theme.  Thinking about people who have entered my life, friends, and many anonymous, I say hi and express my thanks. These are my whispers of love made in a quiet moment in my private corner.  My gentle nods of affirmation extend to the forces in nature, coincidences, beauty and inexplicability that I encounter, appreciate and wonder.  Greetings!