A Letter to Visitors

Find Your Unseen Beauty through My Artwork

Welcome to my official website, all visitors. My name is Danielle Haelen Bae. I currently have three careers: As a pharmacist, I heal people’s physical bodies with medicine; as an artist, I heal people’s souls and hearts through my artwork; and as a preacher, I heal people’s spirits through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I was born in Florida, United States, and was given the middle name Haelen. The term Haelen most commonly refers to an Old English and Anglo-Saxon root word meaning “to make whole”. It is the etymological origin of several modern English words, including heal, health, and whole.

Thanks to technological advancements and changes, the world has become more convenient and our lives more comfortable; yet, conversely, the spirits and hearts of those living in modern society are becoming increasingly isolated and exhausted. Self-assurance wanes, confidence vanishes, and people live lives focused on loving themselves rather than loving their neighbors. Although their lives are filled with uncertainty, small or big anxiety, conflict with others, endless competition, and prejudice, people feel an obligation to answer “I’m fine” when asked, “How are you?”.

In the beginning, the devil led Eve to ruin herself by distorting the image of God. But do you know this? That same devil, who distorted God’s character and led humans into misunderstanding, continues to distort people’s self-image in modern society today—just as he leads many living in modern society to believe they are unloved, abandoned by God, and powerless to do anything about the hardships the world throws at them. 

Human beings were originally created to be the most beautiful. Yet as they grow up, I often sense—when painting portraits—that the eyes of many are filled with sorrow and anguish, and their faces have darkened with worry due to the world’s hardships and negative emotions. However, as I paint them realistically, I devote a great deal of energy to bringing out each person’s unseen beauty. This is because every person was created to be beautiful.

In modern society, the devil will highlight your weaknesses and distort your self-image, making you feel powerless. But remember: “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13). In modern society, the devil will distort the image of God—who is full of love and mercy—into that of an exclusive, punitive, and strict deity. But remember, Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). When a patient whose body is ravaged by cancer comes to a doctor, the doctor hates the cancer (sins)—he does not hate the patient suffering from it (not sinners). 

When painting in oils, there is an “ugly stage” in the process of sketching and applying color. It’s a stage so embarrassing that you wouldn’t want to show it to anyone. Every single piece of art you see has gone through this “ugly stage” without exception. As I paint, I sometimes make mistakes, but the more layers of oil paint I apply—and the more I go through that process of making mistakes—the greater the depth and nobility of the painting become. Life is the same. Everyone’s life has an “ugly stage” that would be too embarrassing to show to others with confidence. But I hope you realize that this entire process is the journey through which your life becomes a masterpiece in God—a journey that adds even greater depth.

All of my works here capture the full spectrum of life’s joys and sorrows—including isolation, loneliness, regret, anger, gratitude, joy, peace, and a sense of accomplishment—that I experienced during my life time. I hope that today, through my art, your soul and heart will find rest and healing. 

Best regards, 

Danielle Haelen Bae