“A picture is worth a thousand words; one stare more powerful than hours of sermon, in the silence of a dark corner of a small gallery.”
Hi, I’m Jai.
Welcome to Christian Living Art.
My name is Jai Ho Kyung. I was born in Korea in 1947. I came to the States in 1969 for graduate study in Chemistry. I liked to draw ever since I was a child, but I gave up art in high school because I was planning to be a professor in science. With a PhD in organic chemistry and MBA in strategic planning, I worked 35 years for two companies and retired in 2008. Even though I gave up art work at 15, it has brought me joy and comfort all these years.
In 2000, I encountered a painting by a Russian painter Victor Bregeda, titled “Eucharist.” This picture by a painter I never heard before turned my life upside down spiritually and in every other way. I rediscovered passion for creating art buried deep inside for almost half a century. At the same time I was afraid, but I sensed a new calling that blended my love for Jesus and my passion for art! They were finally fused together as my final life purpose which sparked the creation of Christian Living Art.
As Mother Teresa said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” I want to be “A Pencil in His Hand”, carrying the Gospel message to those who seek to live a life of Coram Deo in Christ.
It is my hope to get to know every visitor of this site and be a help in their spiritual pursuit.
Who I am
My name is Jai Ho Kyung. I go by “Jai” (pronounced like “Jay” bird). This is a more detailed story of my life which may help you know my intention behind each drawing.
Growing up in Korea
It was a difficult time for every Korean and everyone has a story to tell.
My Career
I was still a weekend Christian, living just like everybody else during the week, trying to survive and win at work.
A New Life
A time communing with Him and His new way of sanctifying me.
Spiritual Journey
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A Humbling
1947-1972
When I sat alone on the Brown beach in Block Island, I felt like a little boy picking up grains of sand into a bucket. “What’s the point of doing it?”
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Ten Years to an Epiphany
1973-1983
Not knowing anything about God or prayer, all I could do was recite the same thing, “God, if you are there, please help us.”
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Bootcamp
1983-2000
After we returned from Friday night prayer meeting, I heard the voice of God shout into my ears, “Go down and kneel.” Then I had a vision of Jesus drenched in blood. He spoke to my soul, “When I suffered like this for you, can’t you bear it for me?”
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Sanctified
A wanted to create art that helped people to feel the presence of God just by looking at it for a few minutes; a visual sanctification.
What is in a name?
My family name “Kyung” is a very rare surname in Korea, which originated from my ancestor who immigrated from China to Korea over one thousand years ago during Koryo Dynasty, from which the name Korea came from. “Kyung 경” in Korean or “Qing慶 ” in Chinese means “celebration” or “auspicious, joyous occasion.”
I did not think much of my first name “Jai Ho” until I saw the 2008 Academy Award winning film “Slumdog Millionaire.” In the final scene, the crowd were singing and dancing at the train station, shouting my name, “Jai Ho.”I learned that “Jai Ho” means “May victory be yours” or “Let victory prevail” in Hindi.
As I was growing up, I did not like my name because a lot of people confuse my family name with another common Korean name, Chung. Now I know my name “Jai Ho Kyung” means “Let’s celebrate this joyous occasion! Let the victory be yours!” in two languages spoken by 2.8 billion people in two most populous nations in the world.
It is my prayer that this website may help bring to you many joyous occasions to celebrate victories in your walk with Christ.