Upcoming: Koo Hon A Solo Exhibition
Whispers of the Earth
Opening reception on April 15th
Presented by St. Johns Cultural Council at St. Johns County Administration Building, St. Augustine FL
Whispers of the Earth explores the beauty and interconnectedness of earth and nature.
Join me on Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30 PM for an opening reception at the Rotunda Gallery in the St. Johns County Administration Building. Enjoy the art, music and hors d'oeuvre will be served.
Whispers of the Earth features the paintings of contemporary realist, Koo Hon as she captures moments in time.
The exhibition presents a collection of 23 artworks including still life, flowers, figurative, and animals.It also draws inspiration from my childhood memories and the sense of home that has always been rooted in the natural world.” – Koo Hon
Whispers of the Earth is on display from April 15th til May 29th, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. Please check the St. Johns County calendar for holiday closures.
Koo Hon
Born and raised in Sarawak, Malaysia, Koo Hon is an impressionist realism artist celebrated for her lush, vibrant oil paintings and occasional charcoal works. With a decade of experience in graphic design in Singapore, she brings a strong foundation in visual aesthetics and composition to her fine art practice.
Koo is particularly drawn to the range of human emotions and facial expressions, capturing their complexity and subtle nuances on the canvas.
A turning point in Koo’s artistic journey came through studying under Maestro Artist David Leffel. His teachings on attentive still life set-ups gave her invaluable insight and a new perspective. She further honed her skills as an online member of East Oaks Studio Atelier, where she immersed herself in workshops with renowned artists such as Alex Venezia, Louis Carr, Ruth Fitton, Caroline Nelson, and Tina Figarelli. These experiences continue to deepen her technical skills and expand her creative boundaries.
Koo’s paintings are also deeply influenced by nature and her early life. Growing up with parents who came from a farming background and were devoted gardeners, she developed a strong connection to the natural world. This love of nature flows through all her work—in the richness of color, organic forms, and quiet stillness captured on the canvas.
“While I strive for harmony and accuracy, I also embrace the unpredictable,” Koo says. “Sometimes, the most unplanned paintings turn out to be the most powerful—those spontaneous moments often carry the truest expression of my voice.”
Exhibitions
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2025: 26th Annual American Impressionist Society (AIS) National Juried Exhibition – Bunnies from Quebec, Casssens Fine Art Gallery, MT
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2024: Juried Exhibition, History Through the Lens of the Artist, St. Augustine Art Association, FL – Group Show
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2023: Solo Show – Symbiosis, Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, St. Augustine, FL
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2023: Collaboration: Love Note to the Next Generation, Southlight Gallery, Jacksonville, FL – Group Show
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2022: Solo Show – Southlight Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
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2022: Paper Craft, CoRK Open Studios, Jacksonville, FL – Invitational Show
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2022: Face & Figures Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association (STAA) – Group Show
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2022: OPA National Convention Exhibition
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2021: Art in the Garden Festival, Jacksonville Zoo, FL – Art Fair
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2021: Spring Members Show, St. Augustine Art Association, FL
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2021: Faces & Figures Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association – Group Show
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2021: Annual Fall Members Show, St. Augustine Art Association – Group Show
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2020: Fall Associate Member Online Showcase, Oil Painters of America, OPA
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2020: Fantastic Florida Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association – Group Show
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2020: Summer Associate Member Online Showcase, Oil Painters of America, OPA
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2020: Spring Associate Member Online Showcase, Oil Painters of America, OPA
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2020: Plein Air on the Porch Paint Out & Online Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association – Second Place
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2019: Cutting Edge Art Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association – Group Show
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2019: Spring Associate Members Online Showcase, Oil Painters of America, OPA
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2019: Summer Associate Members Online Showcase, Oil Painters of America, OPA
Education
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2024–2025: East Oaks Studio, Atelier Online Course + Atelier Live
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2023: Bright Light Fine Art, Gold member Online Courses
Publications
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2025: Guidebook of Art 2025, presented by Art of the West – Artist Showcase, p. 14
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2023: St. Johns Magazine, October Issue (The Art Issue) – Artist Profile, p.18
Awards
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2024 BoldBrush – Jury’s favorite 15%, February art Contests – Bee Symphony
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2023: Second Place, Affection, Art + Architecture + AI, AIA Jacksonville, FL
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2020: Second Place, Plein Air on the Porch Online Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association, FL
