Today we’d like to introduce you to Yunhee Kwak.
Hi Yunhee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I studied Fine Art in South Korea, attending both an arts high school and university. After graduating, I worked as an artist and later moved to the United States, where I continued my creative career as an independent designer and participated in exhibitions.
My journey into art education began after I became a mother. My first child was a little cautious about touching unfamiliar things. Knowing the importance of art, I introduced him to different creative activities using colors, textures, and materials. Through art, I saw him slowly build confidence and find a comfortable way to express himself. Now he loves art and we often find him painting, building, and creating on his own.
That experience changed my life. I began thinking, “What if more children could experience this?” I wanted children to use art not only to make beautiful pictures, but also to express their emotions, understand themselves, and connect with the world around them. I started with a small group of students at home, and this was the beginning of my journey as an art educator. To my surprise, I gradually had parents lining up to come to my art classes.
As I was raising my children, I also realized that many parents, especially mothers, needed a place to slow down and care for themselves. So, I began offering art classes for adults as well—a peaceful space where they could set aside their daily responsibilities, focus on themselves, and find healing through creativity.
This eventually led me to open Petalsalad Art Studio in Burke, Virginia.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. There have been many challenges along the way, and one of the biggest has been keeping students engaged in art over the long term.
As children get older, they naturally spend more time on academics, sports, and other activities, so continuing with art can sometimes become difficult.
For me, art is something that grows through consistent practice and experience. A child’s creativity, confidence, and ability to express themselves develop gradually over time. So I’ve continued to think about how I can help students enjoy art for as long as possible and grow at their own pace. At the same time, I’ve had to keep working to reach and connect with new students.
Another challenge was reaching students from a wider range of backgrounds. I wanted children from different cultures and backgrounds who love art or could benefit from a creative space to have the opportunity to experience my classes. So I’ve put a lot of effort into reaching and connecting with a more diverse community.
As a woman running a small studio, building trust and introducing my work to new communities has also taken time and effort.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work as a painter, exhibiting my work internationally, while also running my own art studio and teaching art.
My specialty is fine art, particularly painting. I have worked primarily in oil painting for many years, and through my work, I explore the small moments of happiness and emotions we experience in everyday life, as well as the meaningful moments that stay with us.
In my teaching, I believe art is about more than simply learning how to draw well. I focus on helping each student experience and express themselves through art in their own way. Every child has different strengths and areas where they need support, so I take the time to understand each student and provide the skills and foundations they need while helping them develop their own ideas and stories through their artwork.
What I am most proud of is that I have never stopped painting, even while running a studio and teaching. I continue to work as an artist and exhibit internationally, and continuing to grow through my own practice is very important to me.
I think this is also what sets me apart from other art educators. I am not only teaching art; I am also an active working artist. I can share with my students how an artist actually observes, thinks, and expresses ideas through art—not just how to follow a set way of making a picture.
Ultimately, I want my students to use art to express themselves, discover their own voice, and genuinely enjoy the process of creating.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t consider myself someone who takes reckless risks. I tend to think things through carefully, prepare as much as I can, and then move forward if I believe the risk is something I can realistically handle.
One of the biggest risks I have taken was expanding my art business from a small home studio into a larger studio space. It was a major decision because I didn’t know whether my existing students would continue coming, how many new students I would be able to attract in the new location, or whether I could sustain the increased monthly expenses.
At a certain point, however, I realized that my current environment could no longer support the kind of work I wanted to do or the future I wanted to build. I thought about either quitting completely or continuing to move forward and expand. I didn’t want to stop, so I chose to take the next step.
I knew I would do my best to work through whatever challenges came my way. When I make an important decision, I prepare and think through it as carefully as I can, pray about it, and then trust God with the things I cannot control.
When I consider taking a risk, I first ask myself whether it is something I can truly afford to take—financially, in terms of time, and in terms of what it would mean for my family. If I have thought it through carefully, prepared well, and believe I can handle the added pressure, I am willing to take that risk.
To me, taking a risk means stepping outside of what is familiar. It may feel a little uncomfortable or even frightening, but it also means continuing to move forward and grow.
Pricing:
- Art Classes: Starting at $40
- Private Lesson: Starting at $50
- Birthday Parties: Starting at $280
- Adult Art Classes: Starting at $54
- Seasonal Art Camp: Starting at $390/week
Contact Info:
- Website: https://petalsaladart.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ps__artstudio/
