about Zin Lim
Biography
Zin Lim's passion for art began in his hometown of Seoul, South Korea. He was drawn to the world of drawing and spent countless hours studying basic drawing and color theory to prepare for his entrance test at an art college. Eventually, he majored in industrial design with an emphasis on Environmental design at Hong-Ik University, situated in the vibrant cultural and academic district of Hong Dae in Seoul.
Zin's exposure to the indie culture and artistic diversity in Hong Dae led him to develop a broad range of artistic perspectives. Seeking new challenges, he packed his bags and embarked on a new adventure in 2000, moving to San Francisco, California, to study 3-D Animation at the Academy of Art University. The transition was not easy, but Zin's past majors in environmental and product design, and animation, which are all human-related studies, allowed him to gain a basic understanding of human circumstances and the human body.
During his foundation studies, Zin discovered his love for humanity itself. To him, fine art was the perfect medium to observe people, interpret them through his personal philosophy and express aesthetics through visual messages. His time at the Academy of Art University was an enjoyable one, allowing him to continue studying, update his thinking, and create art. In 2006, Zin completed his MFA with distinction at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, receiving numerous top awards from the most prestigious national and international competitions.
Zin is now passing on his passion for art by teaching painting and drawing courses at the Graduate School of Fine Art/Illustration at the Academy of Art University. His teaching has even extended to workshops in various cities worldwide and video lectures through YouTube channels online. When he's not teaching, Zin spends his days creating stunning paintings, drawings, and art videos at his studio in Alameda, CA.
Artist's Statement
My artistic practice is an immersive experience that captures the interplay between my senses and the world around me. Like a conductor orchestrating a symphony, I use charcoal strokes as my instruments to capture the dynamic fluidity of perception in motion.
By embracing the ephemeral nature of perception, I create paintings that are not only visually striking but emotionally resonant. Each stroke is a testament to the fleeting nature of perception and the beauty of the ever-changing present moment.
My process is a constantly evolving improvisation, shifting seamlessly between different techniques and styles. Like a jazz musician, I embrace the freedom to explore new expressions and hybrid forms, pushing the boundaries of traditional charcoal techniques.
With my ID series, I delve deeper into the complexities of human identity. I draw on my personal experiences and memories to create portraits that go beyond mere physical likeness, capturing the essence of each individual's unique personality and spirit.
Through my art, I strive to create a shared experience that transcends the boundaries of language and culture. My paintings are a celebration of the human experience, a testament to the beauty and complexity of perception, and a bridge that connects us all.
CV
Summary
Teaching & Lecture
12 years at The Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
75+ lectures at schools, companies, and organizations across the globe.
120+ online art classes and workshops.
Awards
7 'Best of Show' awards at international and US-national competitions.
Exhibitions
50+ solo & group exhibitions at galleries and Museums in the USA, South Korea, & UAE.
Educations
MFA in Fine Art, Academy of Art Univ. San Francisco, CA, US
BFA in Industrial Design, Hong Ik Univ. Seoul, South Korea
Teaching & Lecture
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR & LECTURER (2017–Present)
Workshops and Masterclasses at colleges, institutions, and companies across the globe.
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Expressive Portrait Drawing.
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Expressive Portrait Painting.
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Expressive Figure Drawing.
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Expressive Figure Painting.
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Composition for Oil Painting.
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Composition for Charcoal Drawing.
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Plein-air Painting.
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Portfolio Development.
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Portfolio Review.
Upcoming class and workshop list
2025
Hawaii, USA, 2/
San Francisco, USA, 2/
Sydney (Hornsby), Australia, Hamley Studio, 4/11-13
Adelaide, Australia, Gallery One Mitcham. 4/18-20
Scottsdale, AZ, USA, Scottsdale Artists' School, 4/28-5/2
Lowell, MI, USA, Franciscan Life Process Center, 5/7-10
Bologna, Italy, Italiana Tour, 9/15-21
2024
Doha, Qatar, The Art Academy. 2/1-6
Scottsdale, AZ, USA, Scottsdale Artists' School. 2/19-23
Sydney, Australia, Hamley Studio. 4/12-14
Adelaide, Australia, Gallery One Mitcham. 4/16-21
Hong Kong, China, The Living Light Art Studio. 5/4-5
San Francisco, CA, USA, The AZ Gallery. 5/10-12
Seoul. South Korea, The Seoul Art Center. 7/6-27
Melbourne, Australia, Atelier Melbourne Art Academy 9/6-8
Brisbane, Australia, Bienarté, 9/13-15
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT, USA, WorkshopSLC. 10/18-20
Mexico City, Mexico, Classes Pintura Condesa. 10/25-27
San Antonio, TX, USA, Coppini Academy. 11/1-3
Dubai, UAE, The Art Academy, 11/25-30
2023
Seoul, South Korea, Workshop with Zin Studio. 11/18-12/17
Tuscany, Italy, Art Retreat with Art Escape Italy. 11/2-8
Cologne, Germany, Workshop with Freihand Atelier of Fine Art. 10/27-29
Launceston, Australia, Workshop with Leoni Studio. 10/16-21
Melbourne, Australia, Workshop with Zin Studio. 10/14-15
CDMX, Mexico, Workshop with Classe Pintura Condesa. 9/22-24
San Miguel de Allande, Mexico, Workshop with Eventos Tierra Dorada. 9/19-20
San Francisco, CA, USA, Workshop with Zin Studio. 9/16-17
Seoul, South Korea, Workshop with Class One. 8/13-9/3
Online Workshop with Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ, USA. 6/2,9,16
Doha, Qatar, Workshop with The Art Academy. 5/25-28
Salt Lake City, UT, USA, Workshop with The WorkshopSCL. 4/14-16
St, George, UT, USA, Lecture at Utah Tech Univ. 4/11
Online Lecture at Soon Cheon Hyang Univ., Seoul, South Korea. 2/10
10+ Online Workshops with Zin Studio.
2022
Scottsdale Artists' School, AZ, USA, 4/18-22
(Online) Scottsdale Artists' School, AZ, USA, 8/13, 20, 27
Soon Cheon Hyang Univ. Online. 2/8-9
10+ Online Workshops with Zin Studio.
2020-2022 (During the Pandemic)
50+ Online Workshops with Zin Studio.
2020
Paris, France. 2/8-9
London, UK. 2/15-16
Zurich, Switzerland. 2/22-23
Amsterdam, Netherlands. 3/25
Berlin, Germany. 2/29-3/1
Oslo, Norway. 3/6-7
Mexico City, Mexico. 3/11-14
Scottsdale, AZ, USA. 3/16-20
San Francisco, CA, USA 3/22
Cupertino, CA, USA. 3/23
Sandiego, CA, USA. 3/27
Los Angeles, CA, USA. 3/29-30
Seoul, South Korea. 4/10
2019
Lecture at NCSOFT, Seoul, South Korea, 10/21
Denver, CO, USA. 11/1-3.
Vancouver, BC, Canada. 10/27.
Seattle, WA, USA. 10/25-26.
Tokyo, Japan. 9/20-21.
Changsha, China. 7/26-28.
Seoul, South Korea. 7/19.
Seoul, South Korea. 7/6.
Sydney, NSW, Australia. 6/22-23.
Launceston, TAS, Australia. 6/20-21.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 6/7-9.
Fresno, CA, USA. 5/17.
Toronto, ON, Canada, 5/5.
Boston, MA, USA. 5/4.
Alameda, CA, USA. 4/26-28.
Amsterdam, Netherland. 4/13-14.
Berlin, Germany. 4/7.
Barcelona, Spain. 4/5.
Dubai, UAE. 3/29-30.
London, UK. 3/23-24.
Scottsdale, AZ, USA. 2/16-17.
Burlingame, CA, USA. 1/12-13, 19-20.
2018
Tustin, CA, USA. 12/1-2.
London, UK. 11/3.
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. 10/25-29.
Palo Alto, CA, USA. 10/13.
Houston, TX, USA. 10/6.
Atlanta, GA, USA. 9/29.
Montreal, QC, Canada. 9/15.
New York, NY, USA. 9/8.
Denver, CO, USA. 9/1.
Seattle, WA, USA. 8/25.
Burlingame, CA, USA. 8/19.
Taipei, Taiwan. 7/14.
Hong Kong, China. 7/7-8.
Seoul, South Korea. 7/4.
Seoul, South Korea. 6/22-23.
Seoul, South Korea. 6/15-16.
Valley Glen, CA, USA. 6/3.
Oakland, CA, USA. 5/26.
Fremont, CA, USA. 5/19.
Oakland, CA, USA. 5/12.
Burlingame, CA, USA. 3/24,31, 4/7,14,21.
Los Angeles, CA, USA. 3/10.
Burlingame, CA, USA. 2/3,10,17,24, 3/3
VIDEO CONTENTS CREATOR
Creation of art video demos, editing, and management.
(January 2017 – Present)
Zinlimpresent (YouTube Channel),
Zin Studio (Vimeo Channel)
DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT
Building mission statement, bylaw, art curriculum, and art critiques.
Atelier 209 (March 2022 – Present)
Zin Studio (June 2012 – Present)
Co-Op Art (June 2017)
ART COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR
(September. 2006 – 2017)
MFA drawing/painting courses at the Graduate School of Fine Art and Illustration Dept.
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Directed Studies Advisor for graduate seniors.
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Expressive Drawing.
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Expressive Painting.
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Portrait Painting.
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Figure Drawing.
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Figure Panting.
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Chiaroscuro.
Awards
2013
Best of Show, Peninsula Art League Annual Open Show
2010
Best of Show, Coleman Fine Art National Juried Exhibition
Best of Show, Fiesta de la Paloma National Juried Art Show
Honorable Mention, Santa Cruz Juried Show; Go Figure
2009
Best of Show, Midland Art Association 2009 National Juried Show
2nd Place, in Oil/Acrylic, Midland Art Association 2009 National Juried Show
2008
Best of Show, Emerald Spring National Juried Show
Honorable Mention, American Splash 2008 National Juried Show
Portrait Award, American Splash 2008 National Juried Show
2007
Hoffman Trust Award, 49th International Award Exhibition
Special Recognition, 9th Annual Realism International Juried Show
2006
Best of Show, Salon International 2006
Exceptional Merit, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition 2006
Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America, 15th National Exhibition
Second Place, Expressions West 2006
Portrait Award, American Splash National Juried Show
Degrees
2006 MFA (Fine Art), Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2003 BFA (Fine Art), Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2000 BFA (Industrial Design), Hong Ik University, Seoul, South Korea
Membership
2006- OPA Signature Member, The Oil Painters of America
Exhibitions
2023
Opening Show, MRK Gallery, Dubai, UAE
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Cartridge Project, Amore Pacific, Seoul, South Korea
2022
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Sokcho, South Korea
Art Fair, Art Gwangju 22, Gwangju, South Korea
International Contemporary Artist Association Juried Show, Seoul, South Korea
2013
Peninsula Art League Annual Open Show, Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor, WA
Cumberland Society National Exhibition, Richland Fine Art Gallery, Nashville, TN
2D-3D Works: National Art Competition, LH Horton Jr Gallery, San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, CA
Return to Simplicity, Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont, CA
2010
Coleman Fine Art Juried Exhibition, Fine Art League at Coleman, TX
Go Figure, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA
2-Person Show, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Charleston, SC
The Great American Figurative Artists, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
2009
San Francisco Art Fair, San Francisco, CA
Oil Painters of America 18th National Juried Exhibition, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Salon International 2009, International Museum of Contemporary Masters, San Antonio, TX
Artist Association of Northern Colorado 18th Annual National Art Exhibition, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Midland Art Association 2009 Spring Juried Art Show, Museum of the Southwest, Midland, TX
The Great American Figurative Artists, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
2008
The Great American Figurative Artists, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
7th Annual Small Works Exhibition, Addison Gallery, Boca Raton, FL
2-Person Show, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Charleston, SC
Figurative Beauty, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Charleston, SC
PaperWorks National Juried Exhibition, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Hamilton Field, CA
Bay Area Influence, Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Emerald Spring National Juried Show, Emerald Art Center, Springfield, OR
American Splash 2008 Juried National Show, Old Post Office Museum & Art Center, Graham, TX
2007
Oil Painters of America 16th National Juried Exhibition, Whistle Pik Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX
The Great American Figurative Artists Show, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
49th International Award Exhibition, Museum of Living Artists, San Diego, CA
9th Annual Realism Juried International Exhibition, Upstream People Gallery
Small Painting Annual Show, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
2006
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Salon International 2006, International Museum of Contemporary Masters, San Antonio, TX
Portrait Society of America, 8th International Conference, Dallas, TX
Oil Painters of America 15th National Juried Exhibition, Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
Expressions West 2006 Juried Exhibition, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR
American Splash 2006 Juried National Show, Old Post Office Museum & Art Center, Graham, TX
2005
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Juried Spring Show, Academy of Art University Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2004
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Juried Spring Show, Academy of Art University Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Spring Show, Academy of Art University Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2002
Solo Show, Zin Lim's New Works, Atelier209 Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Juried Spring Show, Academy of Art University Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Featured
The Artist’s Magazine; Annual Competition Winners
The American Art Collectors Magazine, New Paintings of Zin Lim
The International Artist's Magazine, Master Showcase-The Art of the Portrait
The Southwest Art Magazine, The Grand Prize Winner of Salon International
The Portrait Society of America, International Portrait Competition Winners
The World Link, Award Winners of Expressions West 2006
The International Artist's Magazine, Award Winners of Competitions
The New York Elite Magazin, Artist Interview
The Saatchi Art, Artist Interview
Recent Activities
Instagram @zinlimart