The Golden Ties

The sheer cliffs and crashing waves of Big Sur, California—a landscape that once claimed a piece of my life. Standing there, the scenery held my footsteps for a long time, evoking a profound sense of awe, as if returning to the primordial wilderness of creation. The depth added by the achromatic tones of the rocks, cliffs, and waves felt like witnessing a page from Genesis, where God first breathed life into the world.

Around that time, I happened upon a photograph of the mist-shrouded Baobab Avenue in Madagascar. Remarkably, it stirred the same mysterious sensation I had felt in Big Sur. I wondered for a long while why these scenes from different times and places resonated so deeply within me. Driven by a persistent desire to weave these two worlds together, I began this painting.

Between these two contrasting yet harmonious worlds, I have carved a path for the Little Prince and the Fox. Under the warm glow of the setting sun, they step forward into the misty horizon—toward a place where all longing and hope are fulfilled in a perfect, golden union.

At times, the crashing waves drench my feet, and a dense fog obscures the way ahead. Yet, I continue to move forward, embracing the unseen with faith and patience. Knowing I cannot walk this path alone, I hold tightly to the golden tie provided by the Divine, stepping out with courage.

This painting speaks to me in a constant whisper: “It is alright if you cannot see. You are not alone, and the light of the setting sun—the light of His love—is already illuminating your way.”

My prayer is that this golden resonance, born of my tears and devotion, reaches the hearts of those wandering through their own mist, offering them a glimpse of Divine love and the peace of the beginning.

The Golden Resonance: From Big Sur to Madagascar 40×30×1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas

The process of creating ‘The Golden Ties’ series was a source of profound joy. In this work, the Little Prince and the Fox take their first vibrant steps into the heart of Baobab Avenue. To walk together, gazing in the same direction—it is through this shared time that they weave the delicate threads of their relationship.

This painting was inspired by the sense of euphoria found in photographer Shin Mi-shik’s work, where clouds swell beautifully over the Baobab road. To bring the earth to life, I mixed authentic loess (natural earth) powder into paste, layering it meticulously with a palette knife to recreate the tactile essence of the soil. The trees and clouds were rendered with spontaneous acrylic brushstrokes, built up layer by layer to achieve a rich and profound density.

Upon completion, the lush and “chewy” texture provides a sense of fullness that resonates throughout the canvas, bringing a deep feeling of satisfaction and artistic fulfillment.

[Quotes from The Little Prince]

“To win someone’s heart is the most difficult thing in the world. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world.”

[Bible Verse]

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor... A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12)

Baobab Avenue 24×18x1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas

The Little Prince and the Fox gaze toward the horizon, far beyond the mist-shrouded Baobab Avenue. At times, the future remains hidden, as if trapped within the fog, making it impossible to discern what lies ahead. Yet, from where they stand, they continue to live with faith and patience—embracing even the things that remain unseen.

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” — Romans 8:25

- 안개 너머로

어린 왕자와 여우는 안개 자욱한 바오밥나무 거리, 그 너머를 응시합니다. 때로는 짙은 안개 속에 갇힌 듯 앞날에 펼쳐질 일들을 가늠할 수 없지만, 그들은 지금 서 있는 이 자리에서 보이지 않는 것들조차 믿음과 인내로 마주하며 나아갑니다. 안개 때문에 아무것도 보이지 않는 것 같지만, 사실 우리는 안개 너머에 있는 가장 눈부신 것을 이미 마음으로 보고 있습니다. 아직 손에 닿지 않았기에, 우리는 오늘도 다정하게 서로의 손을 잡고 ’참음‘으로 기다립니다.

“우리가 보지 못하는 것을 바라면 참음으로 기다릴지니라.” 로마서 8:25

Beyond the Mist 24×18×1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas

The reflection of the trees on the water is like a decalcomanie, where heaven and earth face each other in perfect harmony. This serene landscape invites a deep contemplation of ‘self-reflection’ and ‘friendship.’ The Little Prince, who has a special love for sunsets, says: “One day, I watched the sunset forty-four times... You know, when one is so terribly sad, one loves sunsets.”

The image of the tree shimmering beneath the surface resembles our hidden ‘inner child.’ To that child, I gently whisper:

“You don’t have to strive to prove yourself. You don’t have to achieve anything great; you are already radiant just by being who you are. Close your eyes and feel this warmth embracing you. This is the unconditional love of God that flows regardless of your flaws or merits. The entire universe is holding you in that light. I love you, just as you are.”

나무들이 수면에 비친 모습은 마치 하늘과 땅이 데칼코마니처럼 마주 보고 있는 듯하다. 이 평온한 풍경은 우리에게 ‘성찰’과 ‘우정’의 의미를 고요히 되새기게 한다. 석양을 유난히 사랑하는 어린 왕자는 이렇게 말한다. “어느 날 나는 해가 지는 걸 마흔네 번이나 보았어... 알지? 아주 슬플 때는 해지는 모습이 보고 싶어지는 법이야.”

수면 아래 비친 나무의 모습은 겉으로 드러나지 않은 우리의 ‘내면아이’와 닮아 있다. 그 아이에게 나는 조용히 말을 건넨다.

“애써 증명하려 하지 않아도 괜찮아. 무언가를 잘해내지 않아도, 너는 존재만으로 이미 충분히 눈부시니까. 눈을 감고 너를 포근하게 감싸는 이 온기를 느껴봐. 이것은 너의 어떠함과 상관없이 흐르는 하나님의 무조건적인 사랑이란다. 온 우주가 그 빛으로 너를 안아주고 있어. 사랑해, 있는 그대로의 너를.”

Decalcomanie 18x24×1.5” Mixed Media on Canvas

Navigating through the golden hour of life. A story of healing, connection, and the courage to face our true selves. Inspired by the painterly photographs of Photographer @shin_misik I place my Little Prince upon a small sailing boat. As I paint him navigating alone under the setting sun, the ocean waves become a chaotic yet beautiful smudge of vibrant pigments. The fox, who once spoke of “taming,” is nowhere to be seen; only the Little Prince remains, continuing his voyage in silence.

There are moments in life when we must endure time entirely alone, without being “tamed” or connected to anyone. Through the torn and patched holes of the worn-out sail, a warm light begins to seep in. Because of that healing light, even the scars on the sail shimmer with breathtaking beauty.

From The Little Prince: “What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”

홀로 가는 항해, 그 사이로 스며드는 빛

신미식 작가님의 그림 같은 사진에서 영감을 얻어, 나의 어린왕자를 작은 배에 실어 보낸다. 석양 아래 홀로 항해하는 어린왕자를 그리다 보니, 어느새 바다 물결은 석양에 비친 색색의 물감으로 뒤범벅된다. 길들임에 대해 이야기하던 여우는 온데간데없고, 어린왕자만이 남아 묵묵히 항해를 계속한다.

때로는 누군가에게 길들여지지 않은 채, 오롯이 혼자서 감내해야만 하는 시간이 있다. 낡은 돛의 상처 나고 기어진 구멍 사이로 따스한 빛이 스며든다. 그 치유의 빛이 있기에, 아픈 상처마저도 아름다운 윤슬처럼 반짝인다.

”사막이 아름다운 것은 어딘가에 우물을 감추고 있기 때문이야.“

A Solitary Voyage - Light Seeping Through 18x24×1.5” Acrylic on Canvas