Inspired by Revelation 1:7–8, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” this piece was inspired by a sermon from my pastor that brought these verses to my attention. The imagery of Jesus returning through the clouds stayed with me, filling me with a deep sense of awe and hope. I imagined the moment of His return as one where everyone will look toward Him in awe, witnessing His glory.

I wanted this artwork to serve as a reminder of Jesus’s promised return and the hope that comes with it. The radiant light breaking through the dark clouds represents Christ’s presence and the light He provides. The contrast between darkness and light reflects the hardships I face, while reminding me that God continues to guide me through them. Through this piece, I wanted to capture the awe of His return while expressing the hope and reassurance I find in His light.

(Oil Paint on Paper)

Inspired by Romans 8:18, this piece reflects the comfort God provides in seasons of suffering. Tears fall upon Scripture, symbolizing how the Holy Spirit continually leads me to verses that bring peace, hope, and renewed perspective. The imperfect handwriting represents my own brokenness and human imperfection, standing in contrast to the flawless truth of God's Word. Even through pain, His promises remain unchanged, reminding us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." — Romans 8:18

(Oil Paint on Paper)

Inspired by Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you," this piece was created during a season when I felt overwhelmed by stress, uncertainty, and the pressure of trying to carry everything on my own. There were moments when it felt as though I was drowning beneath the weight of my fears, unsure of how to keep moving forward. As I returned to this verse, I was reminded that God's promise is not to keep me from the deep waters, but to be with me in them. The painting reflects that tension between despair and hope, portraying Christ reaching into the darkness to rescue those who feel like they are sinking. It is also inspired by the saying, "When you feel like you are drowning in an ocean of stress, remember your Savior walks on water," a reminder that the One who has power over the storm is the same Savior who faithfully carries us through our own. This piece became both a reflection of my own journey and a testimony to God's faithfulness, encouraging others to hold onto hope even when the waters feel overwhelming.

(Oil paint on paper)

Inspired by 2 Samuel 22:2-3, this piece emphasizes the steadfast protection and refuge found in faith. Jesus is depicted as a protective and comforting presence, with light radiating from Him and reaching into the darkness surrounding me. My position beneath Him represents the despair and vulnerability I have experienced, while His embrace symbolizes the way He lifts me from those moments and reminds me that I am never alone. The contrast between light and shadow reflects the way God's presence can shine through even the darkest moments. The piece visualizes the words, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.” Through this work, I wanted to express the comfort I find in knowing that Jesus is my refuge, my protector, and my source of hope.
(Charcoal & Pencils on Paper)

Inspired by Psalm 56:8, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book" (NIV), this piece reflects the comfort of knowing that God sees and holds every sorrow. The tears are created through collage using pages of my handwritten prayers, transforming moments of vulnerability into a tangible conversation with Him. What appears as grief from a distance reveals itself as an expression of faith up close, reminding us that every prayer, tear, and struggle is seen, heard, and remembered by God.

(Oil paints on paper, Tracing paper, Colored paper)

Inspired by Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (ESV), this piece reflects perseverance and trusting God through difficult seasons. The paper cranes represent individuals carrying their faith through hardship. In the bottom right, a crane stands in the shadows, looking across a sea of dark, crumpled paper toward a crane surrounded by light in the upper left. The crumpled paper symbolizes struggles and uncertainty, while the light represents hope and God’s promises.

The lower crane can see the light even though it has not reached it yet, representing how I may not always understand what God is doing or where my path is leading. The contrast between the cranes reminds me to continue forward in faith, trusting in God’s promises even when the light feels far away.

(Acrylic on Paper)

“I Am Not Addicted” is an ironic reflection on my love for Red Bull, especially the Sugarfree Apricot flavor. Its refreshing apricot taste is perfectly balanced—not too sweet, but just sweet enough to make it hard to resist. Behind the crushed cans, however, lies a deeper meaning: the stress and pressure of school and society that build up over time. Red Bull becomes more than something I enjoy; it becomes something I rely on to push through the day. The painting uses humor to explore how easily small comforts can become part of how we cope with constant pressure.

(Oil Paint on Canvas)

“Wake Me, I’m Dreaming” explores the chaotic and uncertain feeling of a fever dream through charcoal. Inspired by a recurring lucid dream where I could fly by kicking through the air, the central scene captures the strange mix of freedom and fear that eventually turned into panic. Dark contrasts, loose marks, and spontaneous imagery create a sense of disorientation, reflecting how my dreams exist more as concepts and sounds than vivid, colorful scenes. The surrounding imagery was created intuitively, allowing the piece to develop with the same unpredictability as a dream.

(Charcoal on Paper)

“Ma-ndala,” a play on my last name, explores creativity through complete artistic freedom. The intricate mandala was created entirely intuitively, without a plan or predetermined design. Each shape and pattern developed naturally from the one before it, allowing my creativity to guide the process. Rather than focusing on a final image, I embraced the freedom of creating in the moment, letting the piece evolve organically into its complex, layered design.

(Colored Pencil on Paper)

“When We Were Young” transforms my childhood playground into a place where memories linger. Two glowing figures, connected by a ribbon of light, symbolize the bonds of love, childhood, and remembrance. I created this piece at the playground I grew up visiting, experimenting with different lights and long-exposure photography to capture their movement. The UV light from an invisible marker became a central element, drawing from a simple object that was part of my childhood. The glowing ribbon connecting the figures was created with a glow stick, another familiar symbol of childhood memories. Through repeated trials, I captured the flowing trails of light to recreate memories that are fleeting, playful, and still glowing long after they have passed.

(Long-Exposure Photography, UV Light, Glow Stick)

Inspired by my family’s tradition of making dumplings together, “Dumplings, Dumplings, and More Dumplings” explores repetition as a symbol of heritage, memory, and connection. Each handmade dumpling reflects a tradition passed down through generations, while the rows of dumplings represent the countless moments my family has shared around the kitchen table. Though distance and growing up have changed these traditions, dumplings continue to connect us, reminding me that family can remain together even when we are apart.
(Clay, Cardboard, Cloth, Acrylics)