pikaole
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Old drawings and story
🕑 Added 2019-03-25 09:49:34 +0000 UTCThis post was written on March 25, 2019!
I personally still find it funny now! My English skills have improved a bit since then, I've reposted it after correcting some awkward sentences and adding a little more detail. What was added in 2025 is underlined.
Let's start the trip down memory lane~!
First of all, the GIF above is my old study notes on marine life.
It's just a copy drawing of a biology/science guidebook.
Now we can easily find this kind of material, but back then it was hard and most of the professional materials were in English. And it was a bit expensive to buy with my allowance... So I borrowed it from the library and wrote down the important things in my notebook.
When I was a student in Korea, there was a very popular learning method called spoon-fed education, one of the important things was memorization. And one of the easiest ways to memorize things is to write them down.
Thinking back now, I'm not sure if it was effective, but it probably helped somehow 😅
I've moved around quite a bit. Every time I moved, most of my old paintings got thrown away. And my old digital photos got lost in accidents. But I still have a lot of paintings left, and I've chosen a few of them.
1996 (7 years old)
It seems like a depiction of the traditional fairy tale of the 'Hare’s Liver'.
My mother said that I was easy to raise as a child. She said that when she gave me paper, pencils, and scissors, I would play quietly in my room by myself for hours.
1999 (9 years old)
It was 100 points!
Teacher: I'm taking off 3 points because it was roughly drawn.
Please draw more hard in the future!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I think it was probably a picture of 'Simchong'. There was a traditional fairy tale book about filial piety. Thinking back now, it must have been shocking when I was young because it was a story about human sacrifice 😅
2005
I lost most of the drawings I made in middle school. Digital technology seems to last forever, but it seems easier to lose.
Japanese culture was allowed to be exported to Korea in the 90s. That's when I started watching Japanese animation and comics. I think I became an otaku around this time 😎
Before that, drawing was just a hobby, and I didn't know what I wanted to be. However I wanted to major in art because the act of drawing was more fun than studying. Before that, my parents had high expectations for my studies 😂 And they were strongly against my going into art major. But I'm stubborn, lol, so in the end my parents allowed me to draw 😆
2006
I decided to major in art in high school.
I fell in love with Hollywood movies at that time. And I started listening to Britpop. - On the other hand, I lost all interest in Japanese anime 😂
I wanted to go to the US to study and become an art director. I spent all my allowance and went to the movies almost every day. And there was an aquarium next to the movie theater. Sometimes I watch movies two or three times a day... In the remaining time, I went to the aquarium and drew a lot of fish.
2007
My mom got a guppy from a friend. We did not know about fish at all, so we raised them in a big, flat pot. (My mom's friend raised them that way too.)
I have a habit of digging into one thing, and that's when I started learning about fish and aquariums.
It completely changed my life.
During this period, I had a lot of concerns about my art style. There was quite a bit of psychological pressure here. I tried to find my own art style. I used various drawing materials...
I had a sign on my bed that said, “If you sleep one less hour, you can draw one more hour.” 😂
2008
I was interested in Korean traditional painting.
Pregnant fish means good luck.
I met four corydoras adolfoi this time (Three of them still alive!)
That was probably the time when I was most crazy about fish, and no matter who I met, all I talked about was fish. so even my parents advised me please don't talk about fish outside.
(Acrylic Gouache and watercolor)
(pencil and watercolor)
My shrimp tank.
I miss them.
pastel
This was based on the idea that fish could be on land like puppies. It was a fall day, but it was really hot like midsummer, and my mom helped me take the photo. It was for my art college portfolio, but I failed the first exam, so it was never used. 😂
During this time, I wanted fish and shrimp-related products but I had no way of getting them, so I started making things by hand.
I drew them one by one by shrimp with acrylic🤣
I needed some pocket money, so I made something like this and sold it to the fish community. I don't remember how much I sold it for, but it was probably around $10.
Now I run a POD platform store. Sometimes editing and updating the shop takes a long time and sometimes it doesn't sell at all, but I try to update almost everything because I think there must be someone out there in the world who wants this kind of product like I do.
2009
This was a character concept art portfolio for a job at an animation company. At the time, I think I mostly used gouache and pastel for the drawings.
I joined an animation company in 2009 and drew almost a thousand hand drawings in half a year. It was my first job towards my dream and I was so excited.
I didn't think about rights, money, or contracts..
Now I can't upload any of this because of copyright issues. I tried to resolve this issue, but the last thing I heard was that the boss was in jail and it was best not to contact her. - - Now that I think about it, I don't think it has any legal effect because I didn't write the contract myself. But now, I already have a lot of portfolios, and I don't want to leave even the slightest possibility of getting tired 😉
I was able to learn a lot about reality. It was something I had to experience sooner or later. Maybe it was fortunate that I was able to experience it sooner. I think my illusions about the industry were shattered at that time 😭
Because of this experience, I started taking lectures related to art law. I also learned how to create contracts.
Like most people who care about animals, I started to worry about environmental pollution. I guess it was around this time that I started thinking about what message to convey with my drawings.
People were shocked when they saw a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose. But they still want to use plastic straws instead of paper ones.
And animals that are not popular don't get attention even if they are in a more difficult situation.
I realized that the public doesn't want to see uncomfortable things.
But if people love sea turtles more than plastic straws, it can change. This problem is so difficult... I keep thinking about it over and over again. What can I do?
It's a story about the drawings I had in the past and the thoughts I had at that time. These things came together to make me who I am today 🤭
Comments
pikaole
Haha, thanks for liking this post. Hmm... maybe I should write a part 2 someday 😁👍 I think I started writing it last year, but I'm not good at writing, so I can't finish it 😂
Sofia Poe
This is one of my favorite posts I've ever read :) so lovely to learn about your journey and see how your art work has evolved
pikaole
Oh what a coincidence. Please thank him too! I bought myself an axolotl blanket hehe. Aquatic creatures are the best. Thanks again for reading this post, loving aquatic creatures, and supporting me!
Emma-Jane Sadler
Intereting to see how you have developed as an artist, and pleased you are there to design cool stuff for the rest of us! My partner got me a blanket with your cuttlefish design for Christmas (and didn't even know I follow you on Patreon/ FB... he just knows I love anything aquatic!)
pikaole
OMG I love that you were a Team Shark when you were little 😆 It's so great to think that someone who loves fish like this looks at my drawings on phone theme every day. Thank you for using it! Fish love - forever!
Bobbie
I loved reading about your journey! I also love fish. They're mesmerizing. My obsession began at age six when I saw Jaws for the first time. Unlike most little girls, I loved it and was rooting for the shark! 🦈 I have traveled all over the USA to see different aquariums. I have used your phone themes since I first discovered them two years ago. Thank you for creating products for fellow fish-lovers! 🫶
pikaole
That's right! I need to draw more fish!
pikaole
Thank you for reading my old post 😆
pikaole
I'm so glad you found me through the Galaxy Store! I'm so happy that the bat theme is getting so much love :) My ultimate goal is for real animals to get more attention and love through my drawings, and I feel rewarded when people tell me that they love/learn these animals. Thank you!
Kammy
Pikaole + fish + art = meant to be 💚
pikaole
I just republished the edited version! I guess patreon suggested it because you set up notifications for edited posts. Fish and shrimps merch - It used to be really hard to find, but I think these days there are more artists drawing shrimp and fish ☺️ It is still more often treated as food but hope this will change - until the day fish becomes mainstream popular animal...!
Candi
Loved reading about (and seeing) your journey! Thank you for sharing with us!
Bonnie Russell
I'm so glad I found your work (I was searching for bats on the Galaxy Store!). Thanks for sharing this and sharing your work with us. What you do draws attention to all the animals and how they are all important and deserve to be protected.
Thanh Le
I don't know why but patreon only suggested this post for me now xD Wanting to have fish and shrimps merchandise but couldn't find them anywhere is so relatable. Thank you for your arts of all the wonderful animals ❤️❤️❤️
pikaole
Thanks for reading Jellywish 🥰
Jellywish
Thanks for sharing this part of your journey!
pikaole
Thank you for saying that! it is really cool to educate about it. I often despair, but I am encouraged again by the fact that there are people who do the same think as me. I hope our efforts will help people get to know our planets and animals better and change their perception. Thank you, R.H.!
Rhica H.
I have a hard time finding ways to help the planet too. I live in a land-locked place, so no oceans, just small lakes. We don't see the impact we make on the oceans u less we watch documentaries about them. Most people don't know much about our oceans. I try to educate, and your art plays a large role in that! Thank you!
pikaole
Thank you so much for reading!
Dragonsmirk
These older drawings are so great to see. Thanks for sharing them!
pikaole
Yees! That's my ultimate goal. I'm so glad you think so. Thank you for reading Rax!
Rax
I’m sorry you got exploited! I love your pictures from when you were very young. you always loved fish! we all have to protect the ocean and I think your pictures inspire people to love ocean animals
pikaole
I really hope so. Thank you for your kind words! I used to like all animals, but somehow water creatures feels more special to me. like frogs! (I'm preparing animal drawing post now and already sketched some frogs drawings you requested :D )
pikaole
I feel same way that most people are not interested in sea life. But now I found out that there are still people in the world who love marine life, including you. Thank you Worldwide internet for connecting us! It's still a minority, but I want more people to know the attractiveness of water creatures. Thanks for liking my shrimp sticker💕 I will prepare a new shrimp stickers for summer soon.
Utopia Coll
I love your art so much!! I love fish just like you and it makes me so sad that nobody else loves sea creatures! "please don't talk about fish to your friend" made me laugh. I annoy all of my friends with pictures of my fish. I loved seeing your shrimp tank too, shrimp are my favorite ocean animals (I use your shy shrimp stickers for everything)!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your work and drawing sea creatures for the people who love fish <3
Udina
Thank you so much for sharing! <3 Wow, such a long time loving water creatures. So many drawings and products! That's dedication! Hope more people can love animals, and that we are in time to stop the plastic and reach a better future for Earth and all the creatures.
pikaole
Hehehe thank you so much Alaska! I'm so glad you found me from shrimp and cory products..! Now I want to make more XD
Malika Alaska
I actually found you because I wanted more shrimp and Cory catfish products!!! Your art is so pleasing and wonderful to look at and wear :D <3
pikaole
Hehe You knew that! Before I started this, everything looked very simple, but... It really takes much more time than I thought. I will continue to paint the fish that I love until i can. Thank you, Suzume S.!
pikaole
Yes. It's sad.. There are difficulties to continue to keep environmental protection because of human convenience. It's inevitable that there will be trash in our life.. and even I don't think I can be perfect forever. But still there are something we can do too :D Thank you for reading Elaori!
pikaole
Glad you like my shrimp tank. Adult shrimp are about 1.5 to 2inchs tall! Baby shrimp are smaller. Everything that shrimp are so cute. Thank you for reading, Mo!
Suzume S.
Wow, you've loved sea creatures for so long! When you described yourself and your relationship with your RedBubble site - "Sometimes editing&updating for shop takes more times than painting." - I couldn't help but laugh! I feel that way about my Etsy shop sometimes! ^^; You've drawn shrimp and turtles and fish all through these years... You've got such a neat and narrow focus!
Elaori
What an amazing journey so far! I'm sorry you've had difficulties. It's great that your passion for fish and aquatic life has been with you for so long! It makes me really sad thinking about how most people don't care to change the smallest thing even if it means helping animals. I'd like to do more too. Thank you for sharing! <3
Mo Ranyart
Thanks for sharing all of this; it's interesting to see how your art has evolved over time while your enthusiasm for sea creatures has remained the same. I love that picture of your shrimp tank, I didn't realize that kind of shrimp are so tiny! That makes them even cuter.
pikaole
Thanks for reading, moonchu! Glad it made you laugh:D Now I can control myself, but sometimes it's still hard to don't talk about fish🤣🐟
kt c
this was so lovely to read and inspiring about how passionate you are for your craft and the ocean life. thank you for sharing. i also super laughed when your parents told you not to talk about fish LOL
pikaole
I guess every parent's mind in the same mood😂 I'm glad you found me:) I can't get shrimps tank now because my room goes up to 90 to 97 ℉ in the summer😭 I have some air fans, but it didn't go below 82 ℉. As you know, shrimp are quite sensitive to high temperatures. I'd like to start a shrimp tank again someday. I'll post the picture when that day comes.
pikaole
Thank you for reading Tony!
pikaole
Thank you for reading my journal! Today I saw a '#oldmiddlenew ' hashtag on Twitter and I thought I'd share this story :D
Tony Richmond
I'm so happy you shared this. 😍
Chrissy
I’ve been told the same thing by my parents, “don’t weird people out with your fish” 😩. I originally found your artwork when I was looking for cute things related to shrimp and it actually inspired me to start a second mini shrimp tank. Please post pictures if you decide to start yours again!
Aluvian
Thank you so much for sharing all this with us! You've been on quite a journey! It's awesome, seeing where it all began and how things changed as time went on. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art and talent with us!
pikaole
Thank you for reading, Michelle! Luckly, my friends didn't give up me even i talk about fish all days🤣
ShellShaded
Thank you for sharing! I laughed out loud when your parents said "don't talk to your friends about fish". You are inspiring :)
pikaole
Thank you Maria!! It would not be fun if there were no difficulties😆Thanks for reading!
Maria Picassó Piquer
Wow this is such a rich, interesting path. I am sorry that you found difficulties, but I'm happy to see that now you're doing what you love <3 Thanks for sharing this!!!!
![ルンバ[v] from fanbox](https://leaqio.com/kistorage/29688.jpg)
