RTDM: Sumi Burge
Sumi Burge
Artist
Charlotte , NC
We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
Seoul Korea; Toronto Canada; Silicon Valley, California. These are the cities I have lived before. I am trying to live every day as the last day of my life. Do what makes me happy and what I like to do in my own stylish way.
My Artist Statement:
The art works that I create are a result of a passion, which reflects moments during and after a shared romance with my art.
Love between me and my ART can be the most beautiful part of life. It comes with strong waves of uncontrollable passion, offering a taste of what heaven is like on earth, but then suddenly disappears without notice causing grief and pain.
I have asked myself many times if it has been worth it to go through this much pain and sorrow for the past 20 years... And my answers were always, yes.
The trail it leaves behind is so vivid. I can relive the moments every time I visit that piece and feel it all over again, at my leisure. Like a familiar song that brings you back to a specific place in time, my art does that for me.
Although my love affair during the creation of my piece consistently ends in a painful manner, it's the anticipation of the next creation that lures me back into the cycle again. The next one comes with even greater passion and joy... well worthwhile to learn to live with.
How do you define success?
Live life by my choice. Not because I have to do, but because I want to do.
What did it take to make your dream happen and how do you make it sustainable?
I believe in me. I try to do my best in whatever I do and have fun doing it and I let others know my goals and what I like to achieve so I have liability. I always do what I can do and the rest will follow. No point to worry about something I can't help or do something about it. However, the key is that I am ready for it!
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
Mother of my 2 beautiful boys. Mike, my husband, loved me and I was there for him all the way. I have no regrets on things I did.
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
My husband's death was a turning point of my life. He left me with chance to live life all over again with passion and living my dream. Live as a painter. Through this hard time he made me realize what is important in my life and I found love all over again.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
Do more, see more, learn more, alway smile and laugh more. Treat yourself as a Queen, always.
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
Thinking today is my day of my life.
Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.
My husband's death and not leaving life insurance, because of that I had to work again.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
I love hanging out in my bed. I love my bed^^
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
Losing weight.
What’s MOST important to you right now?
My happiness.
Share 1-2 books that have impacted you the most:
Gone With The Wind
What have you learned to say no to?
I don't have a problem saying "no".
What's something surprising about you?
A lot of things that I thought I liked because I was good at but turned out that wasn't what l liked. I still got it!
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