From Overseas to St Paul: My Journey as a Christian Artist

I was born in Tennessee and lived there with my parents and two brothers until 2009, when we moved to Seoul, Korea. It was a difficult transition, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Since we didn't know a soul on that side of the planet, my family became my closest friends, and I still cherish that closeness, though it has evolved with adulthood. After two and a half years in Korea, we moved to Japan, and a year and a half later to Sicily, Italy, where I spent most of my adolescence and completed high school.

My dad giving me octopus is Korea

Growing up overseas had a profound impact on many aspects of my character, and I sometimes find it challenging to separate myself from the experiences that shaped me. Do

I crave adventure because I grew up living one, or was I merely hardwired that way? Of course, my argument has always been that I must be some ghastly amalgamation of both.

Whether it was my childhood overseas, familial influence, or simply that God built me this way, this is what I am. Though considering I have at least one more year left to cook up a full frontal cortex, I doubt this is the final product.

My Identity as a Christian Artist

All that being said, who am I? First and foremost, I identify as a born-again believer, a child of the One True God, saved by none other than the unconditional love and grace of my Creator and the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of my sin and the curse I and the world are born into. I am a creative. Drawing and sketching since I could hold a pencil (incorrectly, I have come to learn oof). In high school, I sacrificed my love for creating to try sports, but abandoned that interest to pursue my true passion by studying art in college.

I started school as a Graphic Design major even though I knew little about it, and only chose it because I thought I could find a job quickly after graduation, as opposed to Illustration, which is what I really enjoyed. After my first semester, I recognized that I was only trying to hold onto some semblance of control over my future. By spring, I switched to Illustration, accepting God's will and allowing myself to enjoy creating using the talents he gave me.

My work often portrays vintage inspired art motifs, blending traditional and experimental techniques with age-old faith-based themes. This approach allows me to express my creative whimsy with meaningful art as I pursue my calling as a Christian artist.

Life as an Artist in St Paul

Now I'm in a very different season and relearning similar lessons. I'm out of school and living away from the art community that means so much to me as an artist in St Paul. Every day, I pray that I would do what glorifies God and relinquish my perception of control. Not only has he provided for us in the big picture, but he cares about the details, providing, in perfect time, a place to live, and all of our furniture. I look around my house and remember his faithfulness, so I know I can trust him with my future, even though it's actually terrifying.

Me at the conservatory this summer

Living in St Paul has opened new opportunities to connect with fellow creatives and explore how my art can serve both the local community and glorify my God.