Story behind the art of Yoona chea

27th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Illustrators

Columbine

Aquilegia oxysepala

The columbine is a very common flower in South Korea. I first noticed its beauty in my mother-in-law's garden when my eyes were drawn to its pink patches. I could see the various stages of the flower, from budding to blooming to fading away. Even slightly withered, it seemed unbelievably majestic to me. This painting is special to me because it captures the flower in every moment and stage of the blooming process.

My mother-in-law has a green thumb, and her garden is always filled with fascinating blooms, including wildflowers. I don't have a talent for growing flowers, so she always leaves me in awe. During the spring of 2019, I gazed at her columbines for a while before taking several pictures. After moving to the USA in 2020, I forgot about the columbine flower until I rediscovered old photos in 2023 and decided to paint it.

In the Korean language, the columbine flower is called "mae-bal-toop flower." Its upper part resembles the sharp curved claws of a peregrine falcon; “mae” means peregrine falcon and “bal-toop” means toe or claw. The distinctive shape of the flower caught my attention, and upon closer observation, I learned that it has five nectar spurs to attract insects, thus making pollination more efficient. I was intrigued by its exquisite appearance, and even more intrigued when I learned about its evolutionary adaptations.

The columbine holds cultural and historical significance, rooted in Greek and Roman mythology, inspiring humanity with its beauty and symbolism. In ancient Greek mythology, it was a sacred flower of Apollo, symbolizing his love and longing for Hyakinthos. In Roman mythology, it similarly symbolized love and beauty. During Medieval European times, the columbine was also revered, associated with receiving drops of blood during Christ's crucifixion. Due to these cultural associations, it was often used in religious contexts, and adorned churches and cathedrals.

While painting, I found the gradients of white and pink in the columbine petals distinctive and eye-catching. Despite my efforts, the right leaf was wrinkled by my six-year-old child, who accidentally smudged it with a water brush; I tried my best to restore it. Balancing parenting and art is challenging, yet I believe my children can learn perseverance from watching me draw. This imperfection in my painting will be a cherished memory, when my children grow up and pursue their own dreams. 

Recently, during an exhibition in my area, I was asked about my painting mindset. I replied, "Nature is the perfect art. I always find inspiration from nature. Capturing plants in their beautiful, fleeting forms is challenging but essential. Nothing lasts forever, so painting the beauty of each moment is meaningful. While photos bring instant joy, drawing is a meditative reflection that leaves a lasting impression. Through painting, I realize how infinitesimally small I am in front of nature. I deeply appreciate the greatness and beauty of nature through botanical art. I am happily living and painting every day."

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Read more about this artist's work: 26th Annual