Soul Safe : I started my second drawing pad this year (2-ply bristol paper). I bought my first britol paper pad in Jan. 2001.

The femme here is wearing a semi-traditional hanbok, except for the two strips over her shoulders which are generally reserved for royalty. Clothing very rigorously defined social status in Old Corea.

The face on her right shoulder is a simplified mask of the Nun Kumjoggi ("The High Monk"). Apparently it was supposed to ward off evils from local government offices on the lunar New Year's Eve. Not all Korean masks were supposed to "ward off evils." Most were just for dances and plays. I felt this one would be appropriate for defining this femme's role of guarding the strange door behind her.

I like details. For instance, I saw a picture of an old-style Korean lock and drew that. I make sure to draw the hanbok folding over to the left with the intricately folded ribbon hanging to the right as well. I try to understand why this person's eyes look differently than that person's.

The cartoons of the people on the door behind her were taken from some wall screen paintings. It was a lot of fun to draw them loosely and sloppily for a change. They represent the souls kept safely in the room beyond. Sort of a spiritual morgue, or tomb.

She's a little bored and hence is listening to the latest style of walkman I saw in Korea. I like the fusion of old and new.

I was toying with the idea of showing dozens of hatch marks on the door behind her suggesting the fools who tried to get past our High Monk here. But I showed restraint this time. (We know she's really a bad-ass though.)