Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Choi.
Helen, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Since I was a kid, I have always had a great appreciation for art but my parents dissuaded me from pursuing an art education and so I attended a local community college with a major in Nursing. Two years went by and I began to grow. My ideas changed, and the vision for myself as a nurse shifted when I got diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety disorder. As my symptoms got worse, I turned to what I was best at doing- drawing & painting. I left nursing school knowing I enjoyed creating art more. For a while, I felt lost because I did not know how to make this into a career. I took about two years off to work full-time to travel whenever, wherever I wanted, which allowed more time for me to create art. After saving up some money, I decided that I was ready to go to Savannah College of Art and Design to learn more about the industry, and the classical and technical processes of illustrating. The courage to battle my mental disorder and to follow my heart has lead me to share a blessed journey with a great team, the Lotus Eaters Club and with many other amazing artists in Atlanta.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m an illustrator and painter in Atlanta, Georgia. I have a fascination with understanding human nature and the way of living. It is the depth that intrigues me and fuels everything I create. Doing portraits, figures and other natural subject matters, I find my purpose in portraying the will to believe, heal, evolve and connect with each other. It is incredibly satisfying to me to use my talent to bring joy and intimacy to our existence.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I define success as a peace of mind- It is an attitude. To me, success is about taking time to allow oneself to understand to who they are and why they are here. It is about accepting the flaws and changes within ourselves and within our environment as they happen because nothing is ever constant. Therefore, we are never ever constant. Success is about the progression and not a place where you have to be or a finish line you have to cross. Accepting that you are a doing better each and every day without taking things too personally or letting the lows of your past define who you are and surrounding yourself with people who love you and encourage you is essential to success as an artist.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can follow my Instagram at helen_of_choi.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-542-7942
- Email: helen.hk.choi@gmail.com
- Instagram: @helen_of_choi
- Facebook: helen.h.choi
Image Credit:
Images are artworks of Helen Choi and also taken by Helen Choi.
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