For artist Bokyoung Kim (11), art began as a summer experiment and quickly grew into a defining passion.
“It was during the summer vacation that I thought I should paint aggressively,” Kim said. “I thought that I needed a different experience to apply for college, and I started it.”
Only six months later, Kim earned the title of September Artist of the Month, a recognition that she describes as both unexpected and rewarding.
“I was a little surprised and happy,” Kim said. “I felt like I was being recognized by others for my paintings, so I felt good.”
Though she began drawing recently, Kim has already noticed her style becoming more refined.
“I think it is a lot more sophisticated than it was at the beginning,” Kim said. “The view of painting is more mature than it was when it just started, so you can do a little more detailed work.”
Her preferred medium reflects that precision.
“I prefer to use a pen to curl my wrinkles,” Kim said. “The charm of pen drawing is to describe each painting in detail, which takes a long time but I think it is the coolest when I have finished it.”
Kim’s process begins long before she touches the paper.
“When I think of something, I sketch it in an idea book and draw it with a pen,” Kim said. “This idea book is used to draw pictures that will go into a real portfolio later on.”
Music, too, plays a vital role in her creative rhythm.
“I have a habit of listening to music with my Airpods on when I draw,” Kim said. “I usually listen to band music, but it helps me focus more on drawing.”
Despite her fast progress, Kim acknowledges that the artistic journey is not always easy.
“The most difficult part was completing the drawing,” Kim said. “Unlike sketches, paintings that will be written in a portfolio require more than a certain quality, so I think it is a little hard to draw until I see it.”
But through that persistence, Kim learned to embrace both patience and precision.Kim credits her time in the school’s Drawing and Design class with deepening her interest in art and refining her skills.
“Drawing classes at TP are a lot of fun,” Kim said. “You can increase your interest in art while working on various projects.”
As she continues developing her portfolio and preparing for college applications, Kim’s intricate penwork reveals not just growing technical skill, but a love for the craft.