​I have become fascinated by nature in Northern Nevada where I live. I watch birds, coyotes, fish, rabbits and other animals around me while I walk Cookie, my dog with whom I have a close familial relationship. As this interest has grown, I have also started to recognize animal behavior in humans. In this project I am exploring different animal behaviors, rules and etiquette and seeing how humans’ social norms align with those of the animals around us. These creatures are drawn from my imagination realizing how some people are like pigs, snakes, dogs and other animals, not only the look of them but also their behaviors interacting with others in the society. I will work, however, from my imagination and interpretation as an artist and not be mired in cliches about the relationships among animals and humans.  
 
As I create mixed human and animal creatures to express how humans are related to animals, I am influenced by Buddhist philosophy and Korean myths and culture.  I am also inspired by Min-Hwa, which is an old traditional Korean art by the working-class people. In Min-Hwa, humanized animals such as tigers and rabbits are smoking cigars; tigers interact with magpies and rabbits make rice cakes on the moon. These characters are whimsical & humorous, yet critical and satirical of the society of the Min-Hwa era.