#6The First Painting I Ever Collected — A Moment That Touched My Heart
The First Painting I Ever Collected — The One That Moved My Heart
In my previous blog post, I talked about the importance of not falling too deeply in love with a piece of art — meaning, when it comes to collecting, it’s better to stay objective rather than be swayed entirely by emotion.
But… life isn’t always that rational, is it?
Sometimes, like a sudden traffic accident, you find yourself unexpectedly struck by a moment — and your heart is gone before you even realize it. That one encounter can change the course of your life entirely.
Today, I want to share the story of the very first painting I ever brought home as a collector — the moment I truly fell in love at first sight.
A Restless Heart, A Lost Season
At the time, I was feeling adrift. I knew I needed to start painting again, but I had no idea what to paint or how to go about it. I couldn’t bring myself to quit art entirely, so I kept circling around the art world, lingering at its edges.
One day, I visited a gallery, as I often did. Usually, if the art works weren’t to my taste, I would take a quick look and leave.
But that day was different.
From a distance, I saw a single painting that seemed to pull me in. It’s hard to describe — but it was as if the painting was glowing. Out of all the works in the room, that one stood out unmistakably, and before I knew it, I was standing right in front of it.
Stillness in Motion — Quiet Courage
Jang Hyun-joo — “Somewhere In-Between”_41x 56inch_2008
Photo by ©Christine Bae
At first, it was the overall mood of the piece that drew me in. But the closer I looked, the more its hidden beauty revealed itself.
The palette was calm and subdued, almost like an ink wash painting, but within it were bold, courageous brushstrokes.
It was the visual embodiment of the phrase “stillness in motion” — quiet on the surface, yet charged with a condensed, powerful energy. Let's take a closer look.
Close-up of the work
I found myself scanning every inch of the painting — left, right, top, and bottom — as if I were exploring a new world. Before I knew it, I had been standing there for over 30 minutes, unable to walk away.
But a friend of mine, who had come with me, was waiting. Reluctantly, I had to leave.
A Painting That Wouldn’t Fade From Memory
I returned to my daily life, but strangely, I couldn’t get that painting out of my mind. Not after a day, a month… even a year.
Finally, I made up my mind.
“That painting needs to be in my studio.”
But when I went back to the gallery, it had already shut down. I felt crushed, but I couldn’t give up so easily. I scoured the internet and eventually managed to track down the artist — and to my relief, the painting was still available.
The Unexpected Link That Led to a Fateful Reunion
It turned out I was able to find the artist thanks to the blog of a framing shop owner who used to frame works for various artists during exhibitions. The artist herself was humble and kept little to no online presence.
The shop owner had posted photos of works they had framed, and among them, I spotted the artist’s name. It was such a common name that I wasn’t sure at first — but the moment I saw the painting, I knew.
It was like a fingerprint — impossible to mistake. Her work had a unique sensibility and touch that no one else could imitate.
Jang Hyun-Joo weed_13_105x149cm_2014
Image source:www.gallerychosun.com
Jang Hyun_Joo
Image source:www.gallerychosun.com
Painting That Pierced My Inner Thirst
I asked myself why I was so drawn to that painting.
I think it was because it visually embodied something I had long wanted to paint — but didn’t yet know how to express.
Art, after all, is a kind of visual language that quenches an inner thirst. This painting felt like a catalyst, awakening a dormant visual sense within me.
How It Naturally Wove Into My Own Work
Christine Bae — Quiet#1(yellow circle) 76W x 100.5H cm 2021
Photo by ©Christine Bae
Of course, I never set out to imitate her work. In fact, I think what I fell in love with wasn’t the entire painting, but a particular quality within it. People often ask, “What exactly was it?” — but that’s not something words can fully explain.
Still, having that painting beside me as I worked allowed me to refine my own style. The pieces I create today grew from that influence: layered see-through effects, ambiguous boundaries, and overlapping drawings — all part of my current visual language.
And at the root of it was the painter Jang Hyun-joo’s painting.
Emotional Collecting Isn’t Always a Bad Thing
I once said, “Don’t let your emotions lead you when collecting.” But looking back, I realize that’s not the whole story.
Her work became a kind of milestone for me, bringing positive change to my artistic world. That painting pointed me in the right direction.
Some moments may pass unnoticed for one person, yet become life-defining for another. For me, meeting that painting was the latter — and I have never once regretted it.
Where Does Inspiration Come From?
People often say artists must be “original.” Sometimes, that feels like a pressure to create something that has never existed before.
But through this experience, I came to understand: art is not an isolated act of creation — it’s a continuous chain of influence.
In my next post, I’ll dive deeper into this topic:
“How Do Artists Influence One Another?”
What Memory Does Your First Artwork Hold?
Whether you’re an established collector, just starting out, or simply an art lover — your first piece is more than just an object you own.
It can be an intimate conversation with yourself, and the beginning of a personal journey.
What was that first encounter like for you?
And how has it shaped you since?
Share your story in the comments below — I’ll be sending postcards to a few selected readers.
Author: Christine Bae
Who is Christine Bae?
I’ve been working as a full-time artist for seven years now.
As a professional painter with a passion for collecting great artwork, I’m excited to connect with people who share that same appreciation.
I don’t sell originals online, but I do offer art prints as a way to share my work more widely.
↓↓↓↓↓
[See My Art Prints]
[Browse Original Works]
[Read the Artist’s Story]
[Support the Artist]
Connect with My Art
Follow me on Instagram: @christine_baeks
Watch more on YouTube: Solo Exhibition Video
Originally published at Christinebae.com
This article was written by Christine Bae.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. All copyrights belong to Christine Bae.
Copyright © Christine Bae.
Thank you for reading
Thanks for reading Christine’s Article
Subscribe for free to receive new posts
and support my work.
I want to chime in and say thank you to all the new subscribers here
and encourage all of my free subscribers to please consider supporting my work here
on christinebae.com with a paid subscription.
For as little as $5 a month or $50 a year, you can help sustain my work here.
Other ways to support my work here include include donating to my paypal account
