Hyein's First Cover!

'Tis true! My illustration is on the cover of Crow Toes Quarterly 11th issue. This is actually a quite old news. If you go to bookstores now, you will see the 'November issue' instead of this one. To my shame, I've been too busy to keep up with blog posts. In this information age, updating blog regularly is a very important way to promote. I am seriously considering hiring YMI (Your Man in India) to update my blog and sort my life. ... When I get rich (which isn't going to happen anytime soon). Outsourcing is a way of life, goddammit.

In addition to my illustration work, I just started Master's program. I am reluctant to admit, but I really do like school. Ten years in post-secondary school education. Santa Maria! I feel like a total loser.

While Master's is taking my brain into the most interesting yet strange places, I've been running, running around, busy as a buzzing bee. Here are what's been happening:

- Organizing a group show to open on Nuit Blanche. Details on this show later! (I never knew organizing a show would be a full-time job) There most likely be cotton candy at this event

- Loads of new magazine illustrations to be updated soon

- Working on a music video with 3:AM Design

- Participated on the Speakeasy Illustration Show at Gladstone Hotel with fellow illustrators

- Had a table at FanExpo at the end of August

- Surpressing an urge to murderize drilling people outside

My table at the FanEx

Fellow Toronto Artists Ben and Adam

Ben is participating in some questionable film making practices

I probably should've advertise my booth on this blog before the FanEx. Oh~ all the things that I 'should've' done~

Days leading upto FanEx was an absolute chaos. Getting my comics and arts printed, and lots and lots of manual labour. I made sun dresses with my illustration on it, tonnes of little cake pins, sushi pins, sock monsters,...etc.

Getting back to the 'outsourcing' point earlier... I must tell you, craft market (and anything hand made, DIY) just sucks. I get disappointed everytime. It is extremely hard to have a feasible business with handmade items. I made a bit of money from FanEx, but only if I kid myself that my labour time doesn't worth anything. I myself cannot afford anything but cheap stuff from third world factories. I'm in no position to complain.

Anyways, an interesting news from Norway! They are resenting the current government despite of their prosperous economy. This shift came mostly from resenting immigration. Here is the article if you are interested.

Another interesting turn of politics is Japan! For obvious reasons (Koreans are afraid of Japanese' right wing politics that glorifies WWII), this is exciting. Due to the lack of strong leadership and public's frustration, the right-wing LDP has been defeated last month!

Feature at ILikeCharacters

I've been featured on ILikeCharacters.com! I thank my mama for raising me right.

The top two featured images were for my future post, but oh well... If you want to see them in person, you can pop into our SOS show in Kensington market. The very top piece is already sold. :)

I Cried a River Over You

I Cried a River Over You

Mixed Media on Wood

14"X16"

$350

It's a sad sad robot. So sad!

Needless to say, I sang "I Cried a River Over You" all the while I was working on this piece. This was done for the previously mentioned Magic Pony show. But this one didn't get sold. Oh so sad!

I'm actually in a pretty good mood today, full of optimism. I am starting Master's program at OCAD this September. I had a small chat with the Dean, Martha, and I am very excited about doing my Master's. (10 year of post-secondary education, Santa Maria!)

So it's a bit hard to post a picture with a crying robot. If you'd like to cry a river, I recommend you watch Pixar's "UP". Most people must have seen it already. Good god. I started crying five minutes into the movie, and just didn't stop. My 3D glasses were foggy from all the tears, I couldn't see very well.

Don't think I'm soft, emotional or anything. I'm tough. Here is the proof: Thug Life!

SOS Show in Kensington Tonight!

My fellow talented illustrators and I are having a show in the Kensington Market!

My pieces are inspired by my recent trip to Bruges. I'll post my art work after the opening.

Opening is tonight July 30th, 8pm at 165 Augusta Avenue. It's a month-long show so please drop by sometime. I'd love you to come and maybe buy an art or two. :D

Gallery Hours:

Mondays - Closed

Tuesdays - 10am to 5pm

Wednesdays - 10am to 5pm

Thursdays - 10am to 5pm

Fridays - 10am to 5pm

Saturdays - 12pm to 6pm

Sundays - 12pm to 6pm

I Made a Deal with the Devil

Blue Beard's Bride

9X12 Mixed Media on Stonehenge Paper

$90

Santa Mongoose!

It had been the craziest month in my life so far. The craziest! To my shame, I am hardly ever this busy. I signed up for many shows and they all happen to be on July. Four shows in July!! On top of those, illustration projects flew in. Can a mere human being pull this off? Yes, yes she can. I'm the living proof of it. Bags under my eyes, bloated from sitting all day everyday and acne... Oh I paid dearly. Worst of all, I had to cancel ever anticipated camping to Algonquin this week with friends. I'm all alone in Toronto.

There are loads of new illustrations I should be posting, but I've been too busy. So please visit again in the near future.

This week I'm participating on the "We Made a Deal with the Devil" show. Here is the road show website:

http://methinkspresents.org/expedition

The show will be on the road for a month, from Toronto to Halifax!

Above image is a preview~

One of the things that greatly effected my childhood (along with Aliens, Terminator, etc.) was the tale of Bluebeard. Such a strange story possibly inspired by a serial killer, Giles de Laval. The story book - now banned in children's section - used to give me a lot of nightmares. I always wanted to do something with this story, so here it is. I plan to do series of large pieces based on this concept.

'Vevare, Ve Very Vare' is Bela Lugosi's line.

After I submitted this piece, a friend told me 'be ware' is one word. FML.

Hyein at Magic Pony

Surely you jest! Another show?!
No, no joking around. I'm a serious, serious person.
Yes, another show next week at Magic Pony gallery on the theme of Lonely Robots!
Two of my new works are going to be there. Please come and say hello, if you are nearby.

Opening Reception: Thursday, July 16th 2009, 7-10pm

July 13 - July 19, 2009

Location:
The Magic Pony Gallery :: 694 Queen St West, Toronto, ON M6J 1E7 416.861.1684
http://www.magic-pony.com

My trip blog entry is coming, I promise! I've been too busy painting. And believe or not, more shows to come.

Oh what a gloomy night. It's a gloomy, gloomy night. World's asleep, it's just me, my failure paintings and some sad folk music. On the nights like this, I want to watch Swordsman 2.

The Good Show

Our illustration collective, "Not an Octagon" is having a show tonight at Balsam in Beaches neighbourhood. Artists Pat, Liz, Wendy and myself are going to be exhibiting. It's one night only, from 6pm at Balsam Bistro: 2343 Queen St. East (at Balsam Ave.) Balsam Bistro is a beautiful little restaurant in the Beaches neighborhood offering a delicious menu and a full bar. Local musician Peirson Ross will be performing a few songs.

Sorry for the last minute posting. My life has been out of sorts ever since I got back from my trip. Stay tuned for the trip photos and Speculoos!!!

Solo Show at Greenavi

Yesh, yesh, another show! I'm having a solo show at Greenavi organic coffee shop on Queen West.
The paintings are there for the whole month of June, so please drop by! I recommend delicious London Fog and some vegan cheesecake. It's a charming and relaxing coffee shop owned by artists.

490 Queen Street West • Toronto, Ontario • M5V 2B3
Store hours:
Monday to Friday 7:30am – 8pm
Saturday 9am – 8pm
Sunday 9am-6pm

Ok, you must be sick of Hyein's shows... but more shows are coming up. Busy busy busy...