a good morning, 2022

“I’ll call you right back. Just a moment,”

I told my mother.

It was late at night in Korea, but morning for me when I received her call. After a moment, I called her back to find out why she’d reached out at such a late hour.

“I’m pretty okay,” she said. “But I went to the hospital, and they say I have blood cancer. The good news is, they usually don’t catch it this early. I’m grateful they found it now. I just need to take medication and monitor the cancer cell levels. I’ll be okay.”

Later that day, after work, I recalled our conversation. My heart sank—heavy with emptiness. Everything suddenly felt meaningless. If life could be taken so easily, what was the point of it all? All the effort, the hard work, the laughter, the struggle, what did any of it matter if you’re no longer here?

That hollow feeling brought me back to the days when I used to struggle in depression and suicidal crisis. I felt I had to guard my heart, or I’d slip back into that dark, familiar place. I fought hard not to let the emptiness and depression take hold of me again.

One early morning, I woke from a dream I can’t remember. A soft light filled my room—sunlight pouring in from the bathroom door. The doorway was aglow with warm, orange light. I couldn’t believe it. It was still early and dark, and my room never gets direct sunlight. I squinted, stunned by the soft, abundant radiance. I just stared at it, wondering what was happening. I still regret not taking a photo. This is a photo I took from Trader Joe’s, something like this moment but even more brighter.

In the months that followed, many things changed. Because of our mother’s illness, my older brother decided to finally hold a wedding ceremony. He and his partner got married on their 10th anniversary—a Thursday, which made many guests grumble. “Who gets married on a weekday?” they asked. We laughed.

During my visit to Korea, I took a morning walk with my mother along a quiet trail. We spotted a small, delicate flower. She asked if I knew its name. I didn’t. She told me it was called “evening primrose” because it blooms at night when the moon rises, then hides away by morning. In Korean, it’s called “달맞이꽃,” [Dal-maji-kkot] which means “moon-welcoming flower.” I thought it was such a cute name.

Hearing that, I thought about the life of the moon-welcoming flower—how it waits for the night to come. And I wondered why wait for night, not morning? Had it lost almost all the hope it once held, now seeking just a drop of water—enough to be grateful for? Did it wait for the moon to rise, to feel the cold moonlight upon its head? Because even that, even the faintest glow, might be enough to warm a cold heart?

a good morning, 2022

“I’ll call you right back. Just a moment,”

I told my mother.

It was late at night in Korea, but morning for me when I received her call. After a moment, I called her back to find out why she’d reached out at such a late hour.

“I’m pretty okay,” she said. “But I went to the hospital, and they say I have blood cancer. The good news is, they usually don’t catch it this early. I’m grateful they found it now. I just need to take medication and monitor the cancer cell levels. I’ll be okay.”

Later that day, after work, I recalled our conversation. My heart sank—heavy with emptiness. Everything suddenly felt meaningless. If life could be taken so easily, what was the point of it all? All the effort, the hard work, the laughter, the struggle, what did any of it matter if you’re no longer here?

That hollow feeling brought me back to the days when I used to struggle in depression and suicidal crisis. I felt I had to guard my heart, or I’d slip back into that dark, familiar place. I fought hard not to let the emptiness and depression take hold of me again.

One early morning, I woke from a dream I can’t remember. A soft light filled my room—sunlight pouring in from the bathroom door. The doorway was aglow with warm, orange light. I couldn’t believe it. It was still early and dark, and my room never gets direct sunlight. I squinted, stunned by the soft, abundant radiance. I just stared at it, wondering what was happening. I still regret not taking a photo. This is a photo I took from Trader Joe’s, something like this moment but even more brighter.

In the months that followed, many things changed. Because of our mother’s illness, my older brother decided to finally hold a wedding ceremony. He and his partner got married on their 10th anniversary—a Thursday, which made many guests grumble. “Who gets married on a weekday?” they asked. We laughed.

During my visit to Korea, I took a morning walk with my mother along a quiet trail. We spotted a small, delicate flower. She asked if I knew its name. I didn’t. She told me it was called “evening primrose” because it blooms at night when the moon rises, then hides away by morning. In Korean, it’s called “달맞이꽃,” [Dal-maji-kkot] which means “moon-welcoming flower.” I thought it was such a cute name.

Hearing that, I thought about the life of the moon-welcoming flower—how it waits for the night to come. And I wondered why wait for night, not morning? Had it lost almost all the hope it once held, now seeking just a drop of water—enough to be grateful for? Did it wait for the moon to rise, to feel the cold moonlight upon its head? Because even that, even the faintest glow, might be enough to warm a cold heart?

1 3

But those souls who wait for the moon to rise, who lost hope, who lie still as though dead, waiting for the wind to stir the water, from early evening through midnight, till dawn, and into the bright morning, the hint of the warmth shall rest upon the heads of weary souls.

And now, shall the hint grow in full abundance.
Shall the Light spill upon the heads of the lost and the weary.

Shall the night fall,
and a good morning rise.

Shall they receive the Light,
Healed,
and Praise.

···

Isaiah 30:26

Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun,
And the light of the sun will be sevenfold,
As the light of seven days,
In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people
And heals the stroke of their wound.

···

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

···

Malachi 4:1-3

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch.

But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

···

But those souls who wait for the moon to rise, who lost hope, who lie still as though dead, waiting for the wind to stir the water, from early evening through midnight, till dawn, and into the bright morning, the hint of the warmth shall rest upon the heads of weary souls.

And now, shall the hint grow in full abundance.
Shall the Light spill upon the heads of the lost and the weary.

Shall the night fall,
and a good morning rise.

Shall they receive the Light,
Healed,
and Praise.

···

Isaiah 30:26

Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun,
And the light of the sun will be sevenfold,
As the light of seven days,
In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people
And heals the stroke of their wound.

···

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

···

Malachi 4:1-3

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch.

But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

···

1 6

Edition of 50

a good morning

Artwork Print only

Frame Style -

Size 28H x 21W in

Looking for a custom size or frame?

Quantity

$850.00

Sale Sold out

Artwork Information

a good morning, 2022 | Edition of 50
48H x 36W in (Original Artwork size)
Giclée print on archival fine art paper / UV print on acrylic primed canvas

Process Video
Watch full digital painting process video

Paper
Hahnemühle Photo Rag Matte 308gsm, 100% cotton, acid-free

Canvas
15oz Acrylic Primed Canvas, matte, 100% cotton, UV print

Custom Framing Available
• Handcrafted Maple Wood Frame in NY
• Acrylic glass available in
— Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic
— Acrylite Gallery UV filtering OP3
• Dry mounted on Sintra/archival board (acid-free)
• Foam core backing and strainer

Shipping Information

All purchases are made to order shipped from NYC

Print only ships within 1-2 weeks
Framed ships within 2-4 weeks

Custom Order

We have wide range of custom options for sizes and materials. Please reach out for more information.

hey@itisoukay.com

Refund Policy

At Itisoukay, we take great pride in the quality of our artwork and craftsmanship. We are confident that you will be delighted with your purchase. However, we understand that sometimes issues may arise during shipping. Our return policy is as follows:

1. No Returns for Change of Mind
We do not accept returns or exchanges based on a change of mind, personal preference, or if you have simply decided you no longer want the item.

2. Damaged Items During Transportation
If your item arrives damaged due to shipping, we will gladly address the issue. Here’s what you need to do:
a. Inspect your package immediately upon receipt.
b. If damage is found, take clear, well-lit photographs of:
• The damaged packaging
• The damaged item
• Any visible defects or issues
c. Contact us within 48 hours of receiving the package, providing:
• A detailed description of the damage
• The photographs as mentioned above

3. Evaluation Process
Upon receiving your claim and photographic evidence, we will evaluate the damage. If the claim is approved, we will, at our discretion, either:
• Send a replacement item
• Issue a refund for the damaged item

4. No Return Shipping
As we do not accept returns for undamaged items, we do not provide return shipping labels or cover return shipping costs.

5. Custom Orders
Please note that custom or personalized orders are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances.

We reserve the right to deny any claims that do not follow this policy or lack sufficient evidence of shipping damage. Our goal is to ensure you receive your artwork in perfect condition, and we appreciate your understanding of this policy.

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