“Dreaming Above the Clouds” Acrylic on Canvas – February 2020 48×48 inches / 122×122 cm This painting is about wanting to escape the contains and barriers of reality. Of wanting to rocket through the clouds and sit on the tops of them staring into the great beyond. What would it be like to stare directly at [...]

“Turtle Season” Acrylic on Canvas – 2020 48×48 inches / 122×122 cm In the beginning of 2019, we moved to our 3rd official home together, in the state of Florida. Growing up, going to the beach had always been a special thing for my family and myself. Some of my fondest memories are of walking along [...]

“Lotus Pond” Acrylic on Canvas – June 2021 20×24 inches / 51×61 cm Richard loves it when I paint Asian scenes and cherry blossoms. It seems as though every time when I find myself stumped as to what to paint, this suggestion comes up. This painting is almost my tongue in cheek way of putting all [...]

“Dancer in Motion” Acrylic on Canvas – May 2021 24×20 inches / 61×51 cm This canvas was a process of a lot of layers and feels. I use art as a form of meditative therapy, and sometimes things can look rather messy or ugly before the real beauty emerges. Much like life, it is in that [...]

“Gisaeng Drumming in Spring” January 2020 One of the most fascinating things about Korea to me as an American is the historical culture. There are many things that I have found myself drawn to over the years within the culture! For instance, I LOVE the use of color in architecture, and I adore the patterns [...]

Metamorphoses Ondine (Mermaid) – Mixed Media and Acrylic on Canvas November 2019, 24×49 inches / 61×122 cm Inspired by folklore, this large mermaid underwent many transformations over the better part of 2019 until she came into her final form. For many months she was my quiet protest over the plastic that litters our sea as [...]

Cherry Blossom Gate – Acrylic on Canvas October 2019, 12×24 inches / 31×61 cm I’m a dreamer. For as long as I can remember those whom I love have gotten frustrated by my “head in the clouds” approach on life. But when I paint is the time when  I can truly just tune everything out [...]

Cat at the Ocean – Territory – Acrylic on Canvas October 2019, 36×48 inches / 91×122 cm I have a cat who loves water. Everyday he demands to splash in the sink, and for 3 years I’ve rarely had a shower in peace without him either jumping in to run around my ankles or trying [...]

Untethered – Acrylic on Canvas November 2019, 36×48 inches / 91×122 cm A finger paint created live at an art festival in Florida near the Gulf of Mexico. I wanted to create a serene happy cloud painting that completely contradicted my inner turmoil. To be honest, a lot of my paintings are created in order [...]

Americana – Pickup Truck full of Hunting Dogs 2019 Acrylic on Canvas – 24×36 inches / 61×91 cm I was going about the modern All-American activity of scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed one day, when I spotted a photo that someone had posted of dogs that made me think – “yes”. What I have painted [...]

Lucky Cat – Turkish Van Original Acrylic on Canvas 8 x 10 inches / 20 x 25 cm “Can we go swimming?” Lucky Cat paintings are all original artworks created exclusively by artist Steph Ishler of Hallyu Back. All artwork is for sale unless otherwise specified. If you are interested in purchasing this original painting, [...]

Lucky Cat – Sprocket Original Acrylic on Canvas 8 x 10 inches / 20 x 25 cm Likes to tinker. Mildly destructive. Tries to put things back together – Fails and needs hooman assistance. Meow! Lucky Cat paintings are all original artworks created exclusively by artist Steph Ishler of Hallyu Back. All artwork is for [...]

“Lucky Cat” Acrylic on Canvas – 2019 I love cats and this painting was so fun to make I want to create a whole series of them. I’ve been collecting lucky cats for several years now (though my collection remains small). At our new place, I want my kitchen to have a lucky cat theme, [...]

“Blue Sunset” Acrylic on Canvas – 2018 This was the last painting I made at my father’s house in 2018. It really reflects my state of mind at that time. I had been through a very rough year and was having a hard time finding joy in things that previously I was in awe over. [...]

Woman From Oz Acrylic on Canvas – 2019 The Wizard of Oz. A story that I was all too familiar with as a child and one that I found myself struggling to resonate with. It all seemed odd and out of touch. I ended up asking more questions in my head than was acceptable to [...]

God’s Country Acrylic on Canvas – 2018 This is a large painting that I made in response to seeing the most beautiful sunset driving through Pennsylvania on the best day of the summer and perhaps the year. We had stopped at Sheetz to get gas on my way home from my uncle’s house where I [...]

“I wish every night could be like Tonight” Acrylic on Canvas – November 2018 Does there come a point where it ceases to one up the last? Will that be hitting a stride or the beginning of a downswing? Maybe this is why I like to paint a variety of topics. That said, I do [...]

This painting is extremely special to me. It’s my last memory of my Nana. She was this extraordinary woman who was my role model and encouragement. She believed in me and cheered me on, realizing that I was never going to be “the normal” grandchild. But loving me as I was. She was a woman [...]

Blue Skies, Happy Clouds Acrylic on Canvas Large painting of some clouds in a blue sky This artwork is a one of a kind piece hand painted by Stephanie Ishler of Hallyu Back. All artwork is for sale unless otherwise specified. If you are interested in purchasing this original painting, contact us here!

“Wonderland” February 2018 Sometimes we need to escape reality. Most often that happens to people when they sleep but sometimes it creeps into everyday life. Whether it’s something people watch on television, on YouTube, a game, a movie, music or a good book – escapism is an integral part of our society at this point. [...]

“Cherry Blossom Date” Acrylic on Canvas – December 2016 This painting is based on a memory I have of a cherry blossom date that I had with my now husband Richard. We went every year of our time together to go and see the blossoms and walk underneath their branches during the day and also [...]

“An Evening in Color” Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas – March 2016 This painting was actually fairly simple and straightforward. I was trying to paint a landscape, trying to make it as colorful as I could. In the process I played a bit with various techniques of layering and blending color, light and reflection. And [...]

“Dancing in the Rain” Fingerpaint Acrylic on Canvas – September 2017 This is a fingerpaint done in triptych style that to me symbolizes freedom and healing. Painted during a week which is very emotionally difficult for me each year, it is my rising above it all with the help of friends, and learning to dance [...]

Fallen Star (Howl’s Moving Castle) Acrylic on Canvas – May 2017 There is a part in Howl’s Moving Castle (my favorite Ghibli anime) where Sophie witnesses the story of Calcifer falling from the sky and landing on earth and the interaction that Calcifer has with Howl. I would say more but if you’ve watched the [...]

“Bul Ja So” (Phoenix) Acrylic on Canvas – June 2017 This one started off as an abstract that I then asked myself where I was going with it and realized I had asked myself that question in Korean. So I started to paint the mountains of Korea and it turned into a bold and vibrant [...]

“New Year” Acrylic on Canvas – January 2017 This painting is based on a photo and a memory of my hometown in Korea, and my overall interpretation of the two meshed to create my feelings surrounding the place. The photo that was used as a reference is one taken in February of 2014 during the [...]

Urban Grit (Set of 2) Acrylic on Canvas – October 2017 I painted this in an abandoned underground subway tunnel in Rochester, NY. I was inspired by the graffiti around me, and the fact that the tunnel is also a bridge that spans the river that runs underneath it. The sounds, the frequencies and the [...]

I love our Maki girl. I think she makes a great subject to paint, as she’s a gorgeous cat and very expressive. This is an adaption of a picture I took of her running about our house shortly after we first moved in. In the actual photo, she was perched on the side of the [...]

“Possibilities” Acrylic on Canvas – September 2016 This painting to me has a very similar feeling as ‘Child of Light’. Both have the little shadow dancer that to me expresses my pure inner feelings. This one may not look like much from an initial glance but working up from the bottom of the painting, it [...]

“Maki and Minho Christmas 2016” Acrylic Painting on Canvas – October 2016 This is our Christmas card this year. I got the idea after hand sketching a ton of cards last year and realizing that the number to do has grown immensely. I can’t do it – my hand will fall off! Not really, but [...]

“Rainbow Minho” Acrylic on Canvas – July 2016 I wanted to do a good painting of Minho that really captured his colorful personality. And so I turned to a more Fauvist style to showcase his handsome good looks. And I am so in love with this painting and how it turned out. It does reflect [...]

“Serenity” Acrylic on Canvas – June 2016 This was the last painting that I have from my 20’s. There are a lot of feelings that I have going into this new decade in my life. I know that a lot of things will happen and change – as they have in the last 10 years. [...]

“Channeling Happiness” Acrylic on Canvas – April 2016 This painting was an effort to paint something to cheer up the hubs and I.  For some reason, the end of March was what seemed to be a rollercoaster of emotions within the course of a couple of days.  We were both worn out physically and emotionally [...]

“Positive Vibes” Acrylic on Canvas – September 2015 This was painted in an action painting style and now that I have it I almost wished that I would have filmed its creation. Created with glow in the dark and neon paints its inception is a culmination of my thoughts on what it would be like [...]

“With Heart” Acrylic on Canvas – June 2016 I painted this with a pained heart. A heart that ached for all of the violence in this world. My paint cried. It cried for those who no longer had a voice. It ranted for those that are afraid to speak out. It screamed out for my [...]

“Seryu-dong” Acrylic on Canvas – April 2016 This abstract was created thinking about our time in Korea and all of the many happenings that brought my husband and I together.  It truly was a home to me.  A place where I discovered a lot about myself and over the course of 6 years grew and [...]

“Maki for Spring” – Acrylic on Canvas Seeing my little girl’s eyes shining as she ran around her grandparent’s house and watched the birds outside the window, she indeed fulfills her name, which means hope.  I have hope for spring, for our life here in New York and look forward to when I can see [...]

“Autumn Soul” Acrylic on Canvas – October 2015 In painting this piece I thought of many things. For one, my own self and spirit. I love autumn and the changing leaves. Because of this it’s my favorite season and October happens to be one of my favorite months of the year. In thinking about it [...]

“Embrace” Abstract Acrylic on Canvas – Summer 2014 This painting is a physical representation of my idea of what the embrace of love is like.  It’s colorful, it washes over you like a wave and it’s all encompassing.  Sometimes it’s a bit messy and doesn’t make sense and certainly there are many layers and levels [...]

“Maki in Red (Connection)” Acrylic on Canvas – October 2015 This is my 4th piece in my Maki collection – a collection based on our cat who’s named Maki. While she’s a Russian blue, I decided to go opposite of the blue that I usually paint her in and go with a red shade. She’s [...]

“CCTV” Acrylic on Canvas – September 2015 This is a statment piece. It’s is one of my most artsy – least attractive at first glance pieces. I know that. But it sums up in a picture how I feel of the big brother state that I found myself wholly in while I was in Korea. [...]

Missing You (Korean Drama “Missing You/보고 십다”) Acrylic on Canvas 21in. x 25.5in. June 2013 I don’t quite know who I am anymore. Fragmented from the reality of what once was – a pretty face, that’s what the world sees. But inside I’m fragmented, scarred and bruised from life and the wicked turns that it [...]

This was the last painting I made at 28. And it’s a finger paint. Lol! But this painting is special. I started painting it as a meditation, unaware of where it was going to turn out or what it was going to be. I turned on some ambience music on my radio and just started [...]

“Liberty” Abstract Acrylic on Paper, 2013 This painting was created.. by accident.  I was actually using the paper that this one was created on to protect the floor as I was painting.  When I removed the initial canvas painting though I saw an image through the blobs of color on the paper.  And so I [...]

“Hope” Abstract Acrylic on Canvas – November 2013 The alternative title to this one is Maki.  Because when I first looked into her eyes I saw love and felt hope.

“The Artist”Acrylic on Canvas 15in. x 18in.  June 2013 Nongae, Who Died For Her Country – Yung No Pyun The noble indignation Fiercer than religious faith; The burning passion Stronger than love. O, a soul redder than poppies flowed On waves bluer than cornflower. The fair eye-lashes trembled; The pomegrantate lips kissed Death. O, a [...]

                  “Quantum Love” – Acrylic Abstract on Canvas. 2013 Arang and the Magistrate is about two people from very different worlds – one a ghost and the other human who are battling for truth and love in a world that’s full of darkness and trying to tear [...]