We had the good fortune of connecting with Young Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Young, what are you inspired by?
My art is inspired by two amazing artists—John Singer Sargent and Egon Schiele. Both are known for their portraits, but they have very different styles. I started with Sargent and still admire his work, especially the way he captures people and uses color.

Egon Schiele, on the other hand, has a bolder, raw style. His powerful depictions of the human body, with strong lines and unique expression, really drew me in. Schiele’s approach is quite different from Sargent’s refined elegance, but both have greatly shaped my art.

I’m fascinated by the human experience and the mysteries of life—those things we can never fully understand. However, I think there’s something imprinted in us that pushes us to express ourselves and explore the unknown, and that feeling drives my art.

Losing my father and a close friend made me think deeply about what it means to be human and why we exist. These are the questions that inspire my work, as I try to find answers and better understand life and humanity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a self-taught artist means I face challenges and learn from my mistakes every day. YouTube tutorials and advice from artist groups have been helpful, but my biggest lessons come from my own experiments. I work with traditional materials like acrylic and oil paints, as well as paper, ink, and sometimes water-soluble oils, which allow me to achieve a variety of effects. For instance, paper adds a unique texture that paint alone can’t provide, while ink brings out fine details. By combining acrylics, oils, paper, and ink, I create unique pieces.
My work is often detail-focused and filled with patterns. I use patterned paper, gelli prints, and draw directly with brushes and rubber tips to craft intricate designs. Lines also play a key role in my art, bringing energy and movement. Inspired by my early calligraphy lessons, I use varying thicknesses and angles to add dynamism to my pieces.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love taking my friends to Korean restaurants and shops, offering them a chance to experience new foods and cultures. H-Mart in the Carrollton, TX area is full of these unique experiences for whole week, from traditional Korean dishes to K-Pop and even saunas. Some Asian gift shops have all kinds of things they’ve never seen before, plus great art supplies at affordable prices. I especially enjoy using Asian calligraphy brushes for detailed work—they’re incredibly precise and long-lasting. Asian street food and coffee are also a must-try and make for another fun experience for everyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I transitioned from photography to painting, mostly working alone in my room. In the spring of 2023, I met a group of artists at Panera in Sherman, Texas, who had been meeting for 20 years. They quickly became great friends and offered valuable feedback on my work.

In July 2023, Sparrows Gallery in Denison invited me to showcase my paintings in their gallery. This marked the beginning of my career as an artist.

After the summer of 2023, I joined art guilds in Prosper and Frisco, TX, to connect with more artists. Through these groups, I’ve met many local artists and enjoy sharing my work with them. I also became a board member of the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco (VAGF), and I’m grateful for the support from VAGF and my fellow artists in the North Dallas area.

Website: https://youngkimart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngk_painting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/young-kim-19305133a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550324987943

Other: Photography: https://www.instagram.com/youngkphotography

Image Credits
All image is created by me (Young Kim).

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