Art major Areum Finley wants her growth from the trauma of her past to be reflected through her self-portrait. As she prepares to start the outline, she reflects on the lotus flower and its ability to overcome environmental challenges. As she thinks of a meaningful title for her self-portrait, she remembers that the flower can blossom in muddy water, symbolizing resilience. She grabs her pen and titles the portrait “Inner Lotus.”

“I want to demonstrate to viewers that despite the hardships and sacrifices I’ve endured in my body and mind, I’ve transformed into a strong woman, like a lotus flower,” Finley said. “Whenever I am painting, it makes me feel proud of myself.”

In 2019, Finley left South Korea to join the U.S. Army. She worked her way up to leadership roles like Platoon sergeant, where she cared for and led 20 or more troops by the end of her service. It was physically and mentally demanding, she said.

“Being in the Army was not easy,” Finley said. “I had to be a strong woman.”

Finley’s strength stuck with her when she left the military. Adjusting to civilian life can be hard for all veterans. Upon joining the military, habits and routines are stripped away, replaced with a new lifestyle and identity. However, once their service is complete, veterans must leave those new habits behind and re-assimilate into the world. She hopes to draw more portraits of both younger and older veterans to tell their stories.

When Finley left the army behind, she struggled with depression and anxiety. Her therapist suggested drawing to help her cope. Finley discovered a newfound artistic identity outside of the uniform and enrolled at SMU in the fall of 2024 to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist.

After enrolling, she heard about SMU’s Student Organized Art Collective, a student-run initiative that sought to support new artists. Finley’s self-portrait was showcased in “The Space Between” exhibit that ran from February to March in the Jordan Gallery in the Meadows School of Arts. The exhibit was put together by SMU’s Student Organized Art Collective, a student-run initiative supporting new artistic voices.

Finley credits her professors at SMU for helping her realize her potential. SMU art professor David Challier inspired Finley and many of her peers to explore their inner selves through art.

“I would say Areum has made amazing progress,” Challier said.

Challier praises the Meadows School of Arts for allowing professors to teach students in ways that help them find themselves.

“I think this is the place. Look at all the professors’ backgrounds,” he said. “We come from all over the world, from different cultures, opinions and religions.”

Finley’s self-portrait expresses her resilience and transformation into the person she is today: a strong, independent woman. Finley’s painting shows her with medium-length brown hair. The dark blue water behind her represents the depression she was drowning in, while the two pink lotus flowers blooming from the water symbolize rebirth.

Finley left her past behind her. She wants her portrait to give others hope to overcome obstacles holding them back from achieving their full potential.

“My painting aims to portray a beautiful and resilient woman who has overcome her life’s journey,” she said. “I hope it inspires people.”

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” inspired Finley to also add a necklace of thorns around her neck in her self-portrait. The thorns symbolize pain and suffering throughout her life.

“Even though I have a cut around my neck, I’m still strong,” she said. “I can survive.”

After creating her portrait, she came up with the idea of drawing other veterans to help keep their memories of service alive.

“Many veterans get forgotten by this world,” she said. “I want to make portraits of them and share their life.”

She brought her idea to former Marine Corps veteran Brandon St. John, an SMU junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a real estate specialization.

St. John enjoys seeing Finley’s work and is now working with her in hopes of telling his story through a self-portrait.

“It was special because no one’s ever drawn a piece of art of me,” St. John said. “Being in the Marines, every day was not peaceful. Every day was always hectic and stressful.”

Finley said art has been a form of therapy for her.

“Since I was little, I was taught to always help others and help the community,” she said.