Tag: long island art

What Lies Within Us

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Art, Inspiring, Long Island, New York, The Hamptons

(This article first appeared in the April 26, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)

If a single image boasts a thousand words, than artist Asia Lee is a photographic novelist. Her upcoming exhibit “What Lies Within Us” will run at the White Room Gallery in Bridgehampton this Friday through May 3 with an opening reception on Saturday from 6 to 8 PM.

A Jeju Island, South Korean native, Lee has spent most of her life living on Long Island. Being Asian in a predominantly white population left her feeling estranged. After years of internal conflict, with several near death experiences, Lee found her inner light through holistic healing, with traditions such as Reiki and ho’oponopono.

Each morning she posts a photograph of the sunrise on her social media accounts.

“When you start the day with something positive, or gratitude, it can change the entire day. The world is really within our head, what we perceive what we think,” Lee expressed. “I’m not trying to heal other people. I healed myself and because I am healed I am able to see things differently. I am sharing that. Hopefully other people are inspired and when they are healed they can give to others.”

Her premier exhibit in the Hamptons is a multi-sensory show of her subliminal work. On display she will show fine art photography ranging in size from 4″x6″ magnets to 40″x72″ digital C prints on plexiglass, all with a focus on the majestic beauty of nature “that you feel like you can step into.”

Inhale as you walk around and you will be soothed with aromatherapy by Chris Kirschbaum of doTERRA. In addition to visual and olfactory senses, an audio-tape of music created in 528HZ will echo throughout the room. The 528HZ is a love frequency that’s been claimed to heal the heart and connect it to the realities around it.

“The goal is to reset who we are, who we are meant to be. Which is pure love,” Lee stated. “There is only love and all the other emotions are the lies. So, ‘What Lies Within Us’ — that’s where the title comes from — is where you get rid of all the lies and go back to love.”

Lee sees herself as a conduit artist rather than a traditional photographer. She encapsulates nature in a single image as a means to present it to her audience, allowing them to interpret it however they choose.

“Every day the sunrise is different. The beauty that’s there, it’s just incredible. I feel incredibly grateful that my life is where it is and I’m able to give back. And I want to give back even more. I’m thrilled when people say they’re inspired,” Lee humbly admitted.

Before concluding this interview, Lee decided to play a game of “What If,” something this author hadn’t done since grade school. We went back and forth with phrases of realities until she paused and said, “As children we dream, we imagine possibilities. As adults we see hurdles, we’re too quick to point out what could go wrong. The universe hears you, so you have to stop telling her the negative.”

“What If” her show inspires you? “What If” you fall in love with her work? “What If” we all told beautiful stories through our own images?

Chalk Art: Long Islands Latest Masterpiece

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Art, Inspiring, Long Island, Misc.

(This article first appeared in the August 24, 2016 issue of The Independent Newspaper- as a prequel to the post write up seen here)

 

Picture the word “love” drawn out in front of your eyes on a black chalk board. Waves, underwater creatures, and flowers all morphed to form the letters L, O, V, and E using every color in the rainbow.

In a single image, that would be artist Kara Hoblin. This Sunday her first chalk art show “The Art of Letting Go” will be held from 6 to 10 PM at the Heron Suites in Southold where guests can view her work while enjoying snacks and refreshments as music plays in the background.

In a continuously growing artistic community, the show at Heron Suites will also include a sign-up sheet for the North Fork Art Collective. In its initial stages, it will be a space for gathering artists to create, discuss, and discover art of all mediums.

“The Art of Letting Go” is appropriately titled after Hoblin’s firm belief in life’s most important lesson.

“[It’s about] the ephemeral nature of chalk and the act of letting go. As an artist to let go of my work, as a lover to let go of heartache, as a person to let go of insecurities, pain, loss, etc.,” she explained.

In keeping with the theme, at the end of the show Hoblin will erase most of the displays with help from the audience as a way to encourage mindfulness and love.

By erasing the chalk guests have an opportunity to experience letting go themselves through this physical outlet. Behind these images will reveal hidden phrases aimed to inspire those in the room. “You can’t have positivity without love. Love of oneself, of everyone around you, of the environment.”

More than chalk, Hoblin explores illustration of all kinds.

“I recently started to get really involved with typography. I find it therapeutic and powerful since language (of all types) is the connecting factor for our species, and communication is both beautiful and necessary.”

Her work is whimsical in style, which she aims to remain true to. While she tries to take on as many projects as she can, they must coincide with her vision.

A native Long Islander from Blue Point, Hoblin worked in New York City at a photo and styling agency after graduating from SUNY New Paltz. While so many are tempted to leave home, Hoblin’s love for the community and nature has been her sense of gravity to the area. In returning back to the island she managed Harbes Vineyard tasting room along with handling their marketing and social media. Her first chalkboard design was at First and South Restaurant in Greenport back in 2014. This spring she has became a full time artist.

Living on the North Fork has become a sanctuary to her. Whether it be swimming at one of the local beaches or going on a peaceful walk through one of the many preserves there are endless locations to relax, think, and draw.

Hoblin’s most beloved activity is simply being outdoors, riding her bike.

In gearing her life’s work to her community, she has compiled dozens of hand drawn sketches of locations throughout the North Fork in a coloring book. Each location is depicted as Hoblin imagines it, a magical collection that’s due to hit shelves in September.

“One of my favorite swimming spots has these large rocks in the water and in the coloring book there’s a mermaid sitting on the rock. I’m really excited and I’ve put a lot of time and effort into this coloring book. I think that coloring and any type of art is really beneficial and stress relieving for the soul.”

In hopes that her first coloring book is successful she plans to release a second edition including various towns across Long Island and even offer customized versions in the future.

In a world where love is as much a vision as it is a feeling, letting go is a form of art.

For artist Kara Hoblin, Long Island is her inspirational masterpiece.