We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jean Rim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jean, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Before words found their voice, Koreans carved stories into wood—an instinctive pursuit in a country that is 75% mountainous. Born in the year of the Wood Rabbit in lunar astrology, carving became my self-taught odyssey. I was once a painter of intricate scale-like patterns, using fine brushes on canvas and wood, when a pivotal moment arose while carving a linoleum block for prints. The question emerged: “What if I layered different colors of paint and carved into it? Would it expedite the process while achieving the pattern I had been painting?”

The initial pattern of scales was a visual abstraction of “The Little Mermaid.” The story resonates as an immigrant’s story for me. The Mermaid travels from the Sea to the Land, and I, from South Korea to the United States without a voice.

As an artist, there are moments when a creative process ignites a visceral response and an obsessive exploration begins. The initial stage involved endless experiments with color combinations, thickness, and paint mediums. I explored textures, inference paint, and experimented with chrome finishes all drawing inspiration from the underwater world as a diver.

Classes on carving techniques and tool sharpening followed. Then exploring the carving tools and experimenting with sizes and shapes. Until I collected a cherished collection of chisels that I travel with and use everyday.

This technique felt infinite, allowing me to explore endless patterns. As I showed and my work found their way into homes I continued to carve a silent narrative into each mark. My work is also influenced by decorative traditional Korean design called najeonchilgi, a method where colorful pieces of shellfish are inlaid on an object. This beautiful tapestry of images can be found on furniture, keepsake boxes and jewelry. The new series of tondo paintings include collaged images of birds and florals, and these have become the Yin Series in my portfolio.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As the technique of carving paint solidified in my art practice, so did the wisdom I gained while helping people overcome pain and connect to their physical selves through touch and somatic release. I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist and apprenticed with muscle experts, doctors and shamans in both the East and West practices.

From exploring Buddhist temples to visiting churches and sacred sites in the high Andes, to encountering altars made from driftwood on beaches, I am profoundly moved and inspired by the visuals of worship. Art created with the intention for ritual and the sacred holds a power that I find fascinating. I started incorporating prayer and chanting before I start painting. A cleansing ritual is performed on the surfaces of the panels with sound or smudging with Palo Santo. I pick tarot cards to discern what the piece wants to convey. I always charge my paints, brushes, and chisels with crystals. All the way to the closing of an artwork, an additional ceremony is performed.

Intention is an active presence in my practice. I approach it with gravity, having faced my own demons. As much as I am drawn to magic and the unseen, I have also walked the path of Western psychotherapy and had many years of talk therapy. Perhaps it’s the sensitivity of a creative child with a powerful imagination that often FELT what she saw, or being an immigrant that heightened my empathy for the “other.” I have engaged in my own duet with mental health and addictions to cope with the chaos in mind and heart.

Smothering the inexhaustible critic, depression, or the fog of melancholia is not easy and can haunt me at any time. It took me years to establish my tools to survive and to LIVE. Creating the Yin and Yang series serves as pieces to be talismans for peace, serenity, hope and love.

My work can be found in hospitals, places of healing, and private collections. In 2023 J. Nunez Gallery asked me to join their roster of talented artists. It brings me incredible joy to know that the work is finding its place in the world.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

In a recent Google search, I explored the statistics on art students becoming working artists, revealing that approximately 10% succeed in this pursuit. Further inquiry into the financial aspect of success indicated that earning $25,000 is considered a benchmark for a successful artist, with only one out of six students continuing to engage in art or participate in the art world.

This cursory search provides a glimpse into the challenges artists face, and while more in-depth research can yield varied statistics to support different perspectives, my reflections bring me to a wishful stance. During my time at Parsons School of Design, a business course that covered crucial topics such as money management, basic accounting, and perhaps even an introduction to retirement planning tailored for artists would be incredible.

Fortunately, my college experience in New York City exposed me to professional artists who generously shared insights into navigating the highs and lows of an artistic career. We delved into crafting artist statements, honing technical skills, and amidst the praise, received a stark dose of reality regarding the uncertain future many would encounter.

Seeking to further my education, I enrolled in the San Francisco Art Institute to begin my MFA journey. As we critiqued and challenged each other in matters of medium, composition, and relished the luxury of creating within well-equipped studio spaces, the curriculum still lacked essential business and financial classes.

In my ongoing quest for knowledge, three books have become invaluable references:

1. “Art/Work – Revised & Updated: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career” by Heather Darcy Bhandari
2. “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
3. “Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach

These resources have provided me with practical insights, interpersonal skills, and financial wisdom, serving as a guide as I navigate the intricate landscape of an artist’s career.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One of the most profound fears that permeates my journey as an artist is the prospect of losing my eyesight. This anxiety is not unfounded, as it hits close to home through the experience of my distant uncle, Choi Duk Hyu, a highly regarded modern artist in South Korea and Europe. His world drastically changed when diabetes struck him later in his career and life and eventually took his eyesight.

The impact of his struggle triggered a profound shift in my artistic perspective. As I delved into the intricate process of carving paint and explored the nuances of different paint types, my thoughts were invariably drawn to those who navigate the world without the gift of sight. This reflection has fueled a passionate desire within me to create art that transcends visual boundaries, reaching individuals who rely on touch to connect with their surroundings.

My artistic exploration took on new meaning during visits to museums in New York City and across the globe. Witnessing the incorporation of 3D replicas for visually impaired individuals to experience art left an indelible mark on me. It was a revelation—an inspiring testament to the power of art to transcend the visual realm and communicate through touch.

Informed by this revelation, I made a deliberate choice in my artistic journey: to work with enamel paint. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, enamel paint offers the practical advantage of easy cleaning, ensuring the longevity and accessibility of my creations. With an unwavering vision in mind, I dream of hosting an exhibition where people, regardless of their visual capabilities, can engage with my art on a tactile level.

This envisioned show would invite attendees to not only witness but also physically connect with my paintings, breaking down the barriers that traditionally confine art appreciation to the visual realm. Through this immersive experience, I aspire to make my art a conduit for connection, understanding, and appreciation for individuals who navigate the world primarily through touch—an endeavor that goes beyond the canvas and seeks to create an inclusive space in the realm of art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jeanrim.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeanrimartist