Last Letter of 2024
moments of struggles and love
Dear Letter Drop Readers,
It's been a very strange year, filled with chaos and struggles. We're already less than a day away from welcoming a new year. In 2024, so many beautiful things happened, but unfortunately, we may have had more bad news in our world. It was impossible to escape from the events that swallowed up our ordinary lives. Wars and injustice are happening around the world, and democracy is at stake. It feels crazy to have hope now, but so many people are raising their voices and fighting for what matters to the world, so I will always keep my hopes up.
Thank you so much for sticking around with Letter Drop for those of you reading this. I’ve been away for a while, currently staying at my sweet home in Korea. Still drawing, reading, and reflecting on lots of ideas every day. Here’s what I’ve been up to this year and what I look forward to in the coming year!
Adios 2024!
World Illustration Award - Children’s Publishing
My work, “What Happens When You Read At Night” was shortlisted for the World Illustration Award 2024 in the Children’s Publishing category. Have you ever thought about what happens when you read on a silent night? Maybe there are ghosts…the friendly ones that want to join the reading.
This means a lot to me. While navigating through my illustration career in my early 20s, I realized my interest was more in narrative art than conceptual art. My early illustration career focused on editorial and advertising, which works quite differently from children’s illustrations. My art style worked pretty well as commercial illustration, so I hesitated to follow something that felt more like myself.
The question was all over my head: “Am I starting all over again? Can I?” A few years have passed since, and I finally got this chance to realize that it was right to choose this path. Things take time, and the journey is wild, but eventually, something small or big awaits me. I am so grateful to be listed along with other talented artists. Big thanks to the juries!
Making a book dummy
A popular question in the industry is: When do you know when your painting is done? The answer I have so far is: I don’t know. Yeah, I still don’t know. I sometimes feel so strongly that it’s completed, but I often don’t. I don’t know or don’t have a clear answer to explain it. I’ve been working on paintings for 15+ years now, and I still have the urge to go back to whatever I called it done in the past.
Making a book dummy is an unending process. The biggest challenge I had was not knowing when to call it done. I started with a very short and sweet idea that excited me so much, but after many months of working on it, I found myself having sleepless nights. The doubts that I might have missed something important kept me awake at night. The next day, I’ll wake up and start things all over again. Or I’ll spend a week off and then try again. Twice again. Gut it down, rebuild, and repeat. It’s still not done yet. Or it is, but I don’t know.
It takes time to create something I’m happy about and another chunk of time to feel comfortable sharing it—to feel ready-ready to share. Sleeping on it for a few days is often necessary to be sure about myself and my work. In the meantime, reality hits, and I get overwhelmed by my own thoughts.
Anyway, a book dummy is completed! After many days and nights of tears and joy! My baby is on submission. Whether this will work out or not, I’m sure the entire days I’ve spent on it will eventually be worth it. Of course, I would not want this project only to receive a trophy stamp that says, “You’ve tried hard!” I would love this book to find the right home and be read by others. I can’t imagine what that would feel like.
I'm keeping records of every step I’m going through in making this picture book, so I will eventually share more stories on my Substack. More soon in 2025!
Exploring Japanese Ink
This summer, I traveled to Japan and got many art supplies to play with. Sekaido in Shinjuku is mind-blowing. I didn’t plan to do a big shopping as I wasn’t looking for anything new, but it is very hard to resist when you are there. Holbein products are much cheaper than in the US and Korea, so I decided to make the most of my trip. Sekaido has a big section dedicated to Japanese watercolor, and this is where I found a new art medium that I fell in love with.
Gansai Tambi is a traditional Japanese pan watercolor. (In Korea, we call it Dongyanghwa paint, which means eastern paint/watercolor.) I thought it would be similar to watercolor paint, but I find it closer to gouache. One thing that sets them apart from gouache is that it dries with shine. The shining part often makes the work seem much richer in color. Depending on your need, you can water down the ink or make it opaque. White or bright colors can also be applied on top of darker colors.
I’m still exploring, but I love it so far! I wonder how I can use this medium in my work from now on. Above is my first painting done with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor.
Sojoong Things
I reflected on things that usually capture my attention, which evoke very strong emotions in me that I can’t just pass by. For now, I think the only word to describe them is: sojoong.
Sojoong is a Korean word that means precious. Something dear and special. Things I call sojoong are small, often vulnerable, with life, emotions, and intentions. I see them as just existing or doing their things calmly in their own little area, locked in their world of thoughts.
They also don’t show big actions or expressions. Despite the neutrality, the emotions are still there, quiet and subtle. I love figuring out the unseen and believe something more important might be hiding below the surface. Those are often the minds of others. I believe everything and everyone has meaningful stories, patiently waiting for the right moment to be heard and understood.
It feels like an inaudible whisper or an invisible light peeks through these gentlest things. I admire the sojoong things, and the emotions they bring out. My journey seeking sojoong things in life & art will be continued!
Goals of 2025
I have a lot on my plate for the coming year, personally and professionally. This year, I wouldn’t list goals but only set my mindset to be authentic and open-minded. I hope this works like a master key throughout all my milestones.
“If you write what you yourself sincerely think and feel and are interested in … you will interest other people.“ — Rachel Carson
I keep this quote in my sketchbook to remind myself what will lead me in the right direction. My top priority is always making good art. Being your authentic self will never go wrong when creating good art, even if it shows a slightly messy version of you.
Good luck everyone! I wish you all stay happy and healthy. Hope you have a wonderful start to the new year! 🩵
Sincerely,
Cindy