Trail behind the School

• Written by Yeong-deuk Lee
• Painted by Soo-ye Park       
• Bi Ryong-so                              

Let me introduce Trail behind the School, the picture book of series of the subject, "Nature is Close" of Bi Ryong-so, which I painted.

Yeong-deuk Lee, a children's stories writer and ecology writer, wrote books about nature, including this book. The background of the story in this book was the local mountain hill in Kimhae, Gyeongnam, where the writer lived. So, I went down to the place and investigated. When I began to receive the book script, I cannot decide if I should draw pictures in this book. Born and raised in an urban city, I had no confidence to perform the work, well, which cannot be painted without having deep knowledge about nature. Yet, since I met Writer Lee, I have got to admire him and work up my courage to perform the work. 

This is a lyrical picture book that describes through the family of swans the images of four seasons that Korea's local mountain hills show. In those days, I lived near M. t Bonghwa, where I frequently climbed to observe and record natural scenery, thereby, coming up with the ideas of a new mountain and a town for this book. But, I had to gather substantive historical research data about ecology, and study Eastern painting styles. Thus, it took four years until I completed drawing only pictures. 

Nature is a great gift that God gave. While drawing the pictures in this book, I gave thanks to God for having made me born in Korea which has beautiful nature. From the second book, on, I have been drawing churches in books. It is no a big deal that churches are painted in scenes that need background, regardless of work subjects. In the case of Korea, church crosses are found wherever I go. I believe that God made our human beings in order to let us live as those who testify God, whatever job we get. Let's find where a church in this book is! 

Writers: Soo-ye Park(Sysop)
Publish: Bi Ryong-so(2018)