stories on an easel

2012 New Year's Resolution

2012-01-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

1. reading 36 books. some of you may think the number is so easy to achieve, but for me it is like a grand slam.

2. finding a soul mate or a right man. for me it is the hardest thing ever.

3. workouts 3 times/week.

4. reading the whole bible on a daily basis.

5. hangout on every other Saturday.

6. making new friends.

7. volunteering for community.

8. no more Korean dramas. lol

9.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

Emily N.
Crayon
2011

Emily N.
Crayon
2011

mood on Christmas Eve..

the last day of winter vacation

2011-12-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

before the holiday seasons really start, i had 4 day winter vacation and did many chores i couldn't complete during work days. yes. today was the last day and i wanted to entertain myself.
Hugo 3D was my final decision. i walked to a movie theatre in downtown LA and used an unused discount ticket that i have kept in my wallet for more than a year. using up the ticket made me feel good. haha..

however, the impression after watching the movie is? well... the story was somewhat narrative and the ending was weak. however, those child actors were really outstanding. i don't know why but whenever i watch scorsese's films, i feel something missing, even though i love his epic grandeur style.

6:30PM in winter season of LA is not absolutely right time for a walk, but i just did.

today i did three things that made me feel good. first, i almost finished writing season's greeting cards. second, i watched a movie. third, i worked out. and now i'm ready to go back to work.

on my way home..

refulgent death

2010-12-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

emily n.
poster color, black foam board
2004

this was an artwork as a different way of appreciation of book. instead of using words, i used color and shape as methods of catching impression.

ghost

2010-11-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

emily n.
pastel
2004

when i am rendering costume design, i deliberately depict the face expressions of characters. often times, the mood of face features tells a lot of stories about the characters. in this rendering, i illustrated three major characters of the play and combined colors that could catch their frustration and dismal conditions.

Balzo, a headpiece

2010-11-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

countess in All's Well that Ends Well

In 2006 I participated in a USC SOT production, All's Well that Ends Well as an assistant costume designer, a draper, and a milliner. this headpiece is a replica of an Italian Renaissance headpiece, balzo. From the scratch I built this headpiece and was really satisfied with the finished product. Especially the use of translucent fabric, chosen by the costume designer, Julie Keen, resulted in outstanding stage effect.

The framework of balzo

covered with translucent fabric

i am love

2010-09-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

i liked the color choices for tilda swinton. especially the continuation of red tones such as scarlet and orange in her clothes after she began an affair with antonio was so symbolic and metaphorical. however, the haircut for emma and elisabetta was so mundane and predictable like the music by john adams.

fashion drawing 080908

2010-09-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

emily n.

pencil,colored pencil,recycled paper

2008

a pose by kate moss on a fashion magazine.

050610

2010-07-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

good for a spring day in los angeles.
i love my red dooney & bourke shoulder bag, matching with the etro scarf.
btw, the black wool sweater from club monaco has a deep v-neckline.

the servant

2010-07-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

i finally watched the servant.

what a provocative interpretation of Chunhyang!

however, i was continuously asking myself who on earth made this plan happen. was it Mongryong?? or was it Chunhyang?? definitely it was not Bangja even though he initiated the consequence. was it???

i really enjoyed watching this film, but there could be an irony in the title.

although the protagonist of this film was changed from an aristocrat to a servant, the one who really plotted this whole consequence was after all the aristocrat, Mongryong.

watch the servant at cgv cinemas in los angeles

jeanne d'Arc under an umbrella

2010-07-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

one of my stuffed toy, Jeanne d'Arc.
hahahaha.. why the name??
it just hit me!
maybe i'm reading a book by a french named english author or i watched toy story 3 on the independence day weekend??

i happen to have a japanese umbrella from a lady and decided to use it as a tent for Jeanne. she looks angry, but she is not. after i shot this picture, i combed her hair right and she found her round innocent emerald eyes.

one more thing to say is her bow and eye color go well with the color of the umbrella. i like this setting a lot.

Toy Story 3

2010-07-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

it was quite an experience.

on july 3rd i was idly killing time at home and really thought i needed to go out to refresh myself. i went to a new regal cinema theatre in downtown LA only because i had a super saver ticket from costco. even with the ticket i needed to pay $4 surcharge fee, but i was quite satisfied with this heartwarming movie.

familiar characters were coming out and i felt relieved. wait!! is it andy?? the small boy andy already grew up as a college student. wow!! 15 years have passed since the first toy story was released. can you believe it??

in toy story 3 i could meet new toys with different backgrounds. you will see how their memories with their owners have impacted their behaviors, characters and relationships. it was really amazing that this remarkably high tech film could arouse my indifference so emotionally.

maybe we all, including toys, are desperate for love.

downtown LA 070310

2010-07-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

on my way to a subway station

on my way out of a subway station

colored pencil, ink pen

2010-06-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

emily n.

colored pencil, ink pen

2010

this portrait will be given to my friend as a gift.

she was looking much joyous in the photo, but she somehow looks sad in the portrait.

it has been such a long time since i drew...

i need to hold a pencil more frequently.

regardless of its level of completion, i quite enjoyed drawing this.

saturday brunch in culver city

2010-06-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

outfit 052210

2010-06-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

this outfit was for girls' night out at one saturday night in may.

at the event we could enjoy art, music, dance, and foooooood!!!

i felt somewhat over-dressed, but it was so fun!

rust brown + metal gray

2010-06-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

a pair of dark blue jeans i bought in 2001 was chosen for roll-up style in 2010.
they were matched with studded white belt, gray wool/silk spring sweater from the late 90s, rust brown shoulder bag, and black flats.

i love the metal beach necklace matching with the rust brown beaded one.

classy vintage

2010-06-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

i found a 70s' flower printed jersey dress at a thrift store.

that matches quite well with my sepia wool cardigan.

this outfit is not too classy, not too grungy, not too formal or not too casual.

green animates the whole look of this outfit.

san francisco 051210

2010-05-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

same thai restaurant but different cuisine

same pad thai but different taste

same coconut ice cream with fried banana but different styling

same retro style building but different colors

same suspension bridge, but different sky

same downtown but different look

same alley but different brands

same city but different taste

san francisco..

spring colors

2010-05-30T17:14:00.001-07:00

there were great sources of spring colors around my neighborhood.

so.... i caught them with my camera.

lemon yellow

bruised pink

dusty orange

luxury white

mint white in contrast to terracotta

outfit 042610

2010-05-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

sometimes it's challenging to create a new look out of existing clothes,

but i should say I love it tremendously!!

autumn colors

2009-11-15T00:47:00.001-08:00

red, sepia, yellow brown

eggplant purple, almond brown, red brown, blue green

scarlet

gray brown, warm green, mauve

sand beige, sky blue, olive green

millinery for romeo and juliet

2009-02-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

a hat can be an important design statement for theatre shows.

it reveals a character's status, personality, age group, or mentality.

i love to use hats for humor. they are just fun to see on the stage.

thease are millinery for Romeo and Juliet which my teacher is designing. i participated the show as a milliner.

the show is opening on this coming friday at the MET theatre in hollywood, la.

come and see how they work.

improve yourself day by day..

2009-02-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

if you really love yourself.
if you want to look back on your life with contentment.
if you realize a day is a gift from God..

日新又日新

gratitude for sweet potatoes

2009-02-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

peeling off the skin of a sweet potato, i thought about the first moment that a person found out this amazing plant as an edible vagetable. what would have been the first impression when he took a bite of it? he must have eagerly digged them out all and elatedly gone back to his dugout for his family.

whenver i'm thinking of those creations, which might have been existing from the beginning of this world, i can't help appreciating God's creavity and generosity. how on earth he created the taste and texture of sweet potatoes just right like this??

i'm going out to buy them more..

city of entertainment apr07

2009-02-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

pen drawing using wacom

what a booth!!

the city is getting awake.

i know you've seen this so many times.
so... did you loose weight?

i can fully enjoy only with $20.

st. louis nov08

2009-02-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

dawn among oak trees

an intruder or a neighbor??

typical fall

obvious winter already..

chicago jul06

2009-02-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

first impression of the city

peeping through the city

metropolis, chicago

north beach feb08

2009-02-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

views from a room

newly born vs. archaic

the way to honolulu

nyc sep07

2009-01-31T00:12:00.000-08:00

subway station with tv monitor.

washington square arch, greenwich village, nyc

around 42nd st, near bryant park

moma, nyc

a scrabble on mar08

2009-01-26T21:56:00.000-08:00

goal..
dream..
degree..
fame..
superiority..
professionalism..

humiliation..
complex..
appearance.
age...
self-consciousness.
anxiety..
low self-esteem..
regret..

i'm laying down them...

marriage

2009-01-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

Marriage needs resolution.
You can not marry a person after you fully know him or her.
Marriage is the decision making about whom God has chosen.
You should ask God whether the person you choose is the one God himself chooses.

Just be aware that God loves you as you are.
God prepares such amazing things in your life.
God blesses you and your life.

To live as a single isn't that bad.
Regardless of your marriage, God blesses you continuously because you are the daughter or son of his own and you are the one He loves.

The ones who believe in this will get abundant blessing from God.

- translated and excerpted from the sermon by Pastor Yongjo Ha

When Sophie met Dori...

2009-01-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

Sophie is her name.

Sophie is Chihuahua, one of a Mexican or Aztec breed, and a mother of two sons.

Despite of her competitive, jealous, territorial character, she is an adorable, amusing and affectionate dog.

Here is Dori.

Dori is Sophie's mate and the father of two sons.

He is so lovable, patient, or composed.

He always yields to Sophie. What a wonderful husband!!

He likes licking and kissing at people ALL THE TIME~~.

It could be a problematic behavior, but I just loved it.

After I came back to LA, I miss them a lot.

They even made me think about having a dog, but I tried not to.

Only for my pleasure, he or she shouldn't be lonely more than 8 hours a day...

Yeah... today I truly miss them.

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-10T22:12:00.000-08:00

1. know myself more

2. do whatever i feel like to do, hesitate no more

3. create my own art work

4. design my life

5. get better everyday

6. pray for my people

7. don't do tomorrow what you can do today

Decision making is about right or left.

2008-12-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

Life starts with B and ends with D. What is there between B and D? The answer is C.
B means Birth, D Death, C Choice.

Life is a consistent decision making procedure.
How many decisions did I make?
Have I always been satisfied with my decisions? Definately No.

I've always been not sure of the decisions I made through my life. I'm even thinking what would have happened if I had made a different choice especially about my career. I like to do my work and I love to see the result of my work and I can only stay up whole nights doing my work, but I'm always unsure of what my real passion is and continuously asking myself whether it was right or wrong choice..

Today's sermon was about the decision making. The pastor said that the decision making is not about right or wrong, but about right or left. We could make mistakes, feel frustrated with our decisions, but along with the process God can eventually lead us to His path. To make decisions God wants us to make, we should seek His kingdom first. We should pray to Him, read the Bible and above all we should trust in Him. Even though we fail with the decisions, God has always been faithful and He is in control.

I believe God will lead me to His way through all the paths I took. Along with the path, even though I feel astray heading to nowhere, I will eventually find my way in God and He will use me to glolify Him and to reveal His grace.

Snowing in Seattle

2008-12-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

people said that it was so unusual to have this much snow in seattle.

a lady next to me in the airplane said, "it's more like minnesotta."
yeah.. it's all white. 7 or 8 inch-thick snow piled up in the roofs and top of the cars..

this may be my 5th trip to seattle. i always like this nurdy looking city a lot.
well developed, but still with reminiscence..
classy together with kitchy..
sophosticated, but austere..

i liked the double-sided feature of this city..
what would it be like for me to resemble this city..
nurdy and femmefatale ??

Crazy in Dream at the age of 30

2008-12-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

Title: Crazy in Dream at the age of 30
Author: Jackie Myung
Language: Korean
Publisher: Woongjin Books

The author tells us about her extraordinary success as a banker in New York.
I was not interested in her job field, but I was really curious about the paths she took to accomplish her dream.

The impression of her is that she is a woman who has such a dedicated goal with unceasing efforts.
She never stops pursuing her dream.
She is never afraid of confronting challenges.
She never underestimates her ability.

She presents useful 7 habits to realize your Dream.
1. Set the Life Goal.
2. Plan the time.
3. Practice, Practice, and Practice.
4. Be a mania!
5. Find Mentors.
6. Discipline yourself in English. **
7. Remember your Dream when you went astray.

** The author was born and raised in Korea until her late 20s.

Where am I heading to??

2008-12-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

I was so frustrated and full of complaints about everything..
and I even felt myself trivial and useless...

However, I heard a sermon today and realized that my life is what God has created and planned.

Pastor Michael Lee said that Worship is not an event with a certain time slot, instead it is a Life Style of responding to who God is and what he has done.

I decided to simply trust in the promise of God..

The Duchess of Malfi

2007-11-18T00:27:00.000-08:00

emily n.

pencil, water color, marker

2004

women in All My Sons

2007-10-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

emily n.

pencil, water color, charcoal

2004

Erma in Anything Goes

2007-10-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

emily n.

pencil, water color

2005

i designed Anything Goes for a thesis project at USC School of Theatre.

it was a really thrilling but challenging project I'd ever got as a graduate student designer.
the whole process was like delivering a child..

sometimes it was so stressful and overwhelming..

but as you guess.. after i saw the whole endeavor on the stage,

i already expected what the next would be...

Story thru Sketch

2007-10-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

emily n.
pastel
2004

i like the color choice i made.

orange and dark green balances accordingly on the light yellow pastel paper.
Most of all i like the way he smiles..

and i'm so satisfied with the way i captured it.

Empty Canvas

2007-10-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Fill it with Creativity
Decorate it with Passion
Exhibit it with Confidence..