As a kid, I filled my head with so many cartoons, comic books, and video games that this is now how my subconscious naturally speaks to me. All my dreams, thoughts and feelings manifest in my head as fantasy creatures.

In my early 20’s, I trained at the Joe Kubert school in northern NJ for illustration and comics. But soon after became interested in gallery art, specifically surrealism.  I feel like Cartooning is the perfect medium to communicate my ideas since that’s how my mind works anyway.  

We are so excited to display the subtle and whimsical watercolors of Jeehyun Hoke. Her show opens December 5th and will be up until December 27th.

My name is Jeehyun Hoke, an author and illustrator for Children’s Books. With my whimsical and playful art, I have been working with self-published authors, publishers, and companies. I illustrated My Lemonade Stand Can’t Stand Me, published by Peak City Publishing, LLC., and self-published Boy & Little Violet Flower. My most recent project was concept and character design for an electronic game company, Want. I am also often involved with local art scenes, like Sparkcon, Woman Craft Gallery, and Cafe Driade.

I am originally from Korea and came to America in 2006 to achieve both love and dream. I studied Visual Communication with a focus on Illustration at the University of Kansas. After moving to North Carolina in 2010, I have owned many titles: a member of illustrator groups like SCBWI and Sangrim, a freelance illustrator who is seeking commissioned project, an author creating stories, and most importantly a mom of two kids and a wife.

Artist Statement

2015 is coming, and the Chinese Zodiac for 2015 is sheep, specifically blue sheep. Inspired by Chinese Zodiac and the nursery rhyme Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, I created a Baa, Baa, Blue Sheep calendar series. With a hope of a little fun and happiness for people around me, I painted blue sheep who find fun and peace from each month’s events and seasons.

Cute, comfortable, whimsical, fun are usual adjectives that go through my works. I believe these words for feelings are part of happiness. Working on images and stories that are kids-friendly, it becomes important to bring the content feeling of happiness not only to kids but also to adults.

We’re looking forward to this! Their music is harmony driven, Eagles, Beatles, Zac Brown, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Gin Blossoms. Voices Carry tries to chose songs people have not heard over and over but recognize and sing along with.