[INTERVIEW] HOF FEBRUARY 2025 @SUNNY_

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→Go watch now a video of 'February HOF @sunny_'

Auguste Renoir is famous not only for painting women but also for his flower paintings.

He would observe flowers for a while to capture their essence, then paint soft and warm-colored flowers with meticulous expressions.

The flowers that appear in Renoir's works are said to reflect his will to preserve the beauty of the moment, allowing us to feel the shape and fragrance of the flowers vividly even today.

Artist @sunny_, who was inducted into our Hall of Fame this February, also makes us feel the vitality of nature using dandelion flowers.

The artist's feed is full of flowers.

It captures the beautiful curves and bright scenery shown by flowers to express the harmony of nature.

The artist also paints various animals and depicts people living their own lives.

We have to ask the artist how they came to draw these works.

So, let's start the interview with the artist.

Q1. @PENUP

Hello, @sunny_.

On behalf of everyone at the PENUP team, we’d like to congratulate you on being inducted into our Hall of Fame in February 2025.

Please briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your thoughts on selection.

A1. @sunny_

I’m your regular homemaker living in Seoul, South Korea.

I do help my husband with his business here and there, but it doesn’t take up too much of my time.

I’m so grateful that I have enough time to paint.

I was so happy when you selected me for the Hall of Fame.

I think it's the most precious and biggest gift of the year for me.

Q2. @PENUP

You first post dates back to July 2024.

How did you find out about PENUP, and what inspired you to share your work on PENUP?

A2. @sunny_

I love drawing and used to buy small sketchbooks to draw with pencils.

But then, my daughter introduced me to this app called PENUP.

When I first saw it, it felt like looking at a vast ocean.

Everyone seemed to be happily surfing there, enjoying themselves with their own colors and talents.

Although I haven't formally studied art, my daughter, who majored in music, has a great interest in art as well.

She gives me advice from time to time and encourages me to keep going.

Q3. @PENUP

Your paintings have beautiful colors and artistic expressions.

What kind of devices and apps do you use to create your artwork?

A3. @sunny_

I used to have a Galaxy Tab 6, but now I use a Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

At first, I used the Sketchbook app as well, but now PENUP is the only app I use.

I really like how PENUP continues to upgrade the app and add new tools.

Q4. @PENUP

Your feed captures beautiful natural landscapes.

What inspired you to start painting?

A4. @sunny_

To be honest, I used to live thinking that I was far from being artistic.

When I was in the first year of middle school, I was taking a practical art exam in the art room.

The teacher approached me, called my name, and said, “You're the worst in here,” and all my classmates heard it.

Perhaps that did it.

From that moment, a cold nail was driven into my heart, and it kept reminding me I was the worst at art.

Now, I've met so many wonderful friends here, and I find comfort in seeing their amazing work.

Thanks to those positive experiences, I feel like my heart has been healed.

Q5. @PENUP

We see dandelion flowers in your artwork.

Can you tell us why you draw dandelion flowers?

Also, what do you find attractive about flowers?

A5. @sunny_

All flowers are beautiful, but I like to draw dandelions the most because it's a flower that has a special place in my heart.

In April one year, when everyone was admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms and magnolias, I happened to see a dandelion peeking out from between the grass under my feet.

It seemed to be speaking to me, saying, "I'm a flower too."

The yellow flower blooming brightly on the ground seemed to be smiling at me.

I found the dandelion so beautiful, blooming in its own way whether in the shade or in the sun.

Q6. @PENUP

We see cute little animals in your feed as well.

Why do you enjoy painting animals?

A6. @sunny_

I used to have a pet parrot for eight years, but it's no longer with us.

Right now, I have a new friend, an 8-year-old dog.

I began drawing the birds and dogs I've lived with, and that naturally led me to draw a lot of animals.

Q7. @PENUP

We’ve noticed various landscape paintings, from scenes you can see around us to scenes from just nature.

What inspired you to paint these landscapes?

What kind of landscapes do you mostly paint?

A7. @sunny_

Wherever I go, I find myself looking for dandelions, and as I've grown to love them, it seems that nature, light, and color have found their way into my work a little more.

The nature that exists for us and that we enjoy is so beautiful, and when I look at nature, it warms my heart.

Q8. @PENUP

We can also see works capturing various moments with people.

We’re curious as to why these people become a part of your paintings.

A8. @sunny_

Drawing people still feels difficult to me.

I’m hoping I’ll get better at it if I keep painting. Haha

So, every once in a while, I try drawing people, and then I try again.

Q9. @PENUP

Your feed has works with abstract expressions.

Can you tell us why you use these expressions?

What subject would you like to paint about in the future?

A9. @sunny_

I don't intentionally try to draw abstract things.

But I am curious about what colors I have inside me.

I enjoy expressing the colors inside my heart outwardly, to see what’s expressed when those colors come together.

So, like a child, I like the colors that come from within myself.

Q10. @PENUP

Last question.

Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see improved while using PENUP, or if there is anything you would like to say.

A10. @sunny_

I want to cheer on everyone who’s decided to start drawing or painting.

I'd advise them to freely express the colors within themselves, no matter what they draw.

Personally, without the support and encouragement of my friends, I would have found it difficult to draw on my own.

I'm grateful to my PENUP friends who shared and enjoyed my journey together, and I'd like to thank once again the staff who chose me for the Hall of Fame.

What did you think of our interview with @sunny_?

Renoir painted so many flowers throughout his life, and he said that painting flowers was a form of relaxation.

The artist has also been expressing the beauty of small things in nature by drawing flowers in her works.

If you’re reading this post, try capturing the flowers you can see around you in your drawings.

From the wildflowers blooming along the road or your favorite flowers, you might enjoy coloring them with your own hues.

We’ll look forward to your flowers for a more vibrant and fragrant PENUP.

Thank you.