As an imported Korean, meaning I was brought to the US and sold to a white family for adoption, my work revolves around themes of transracial identity, Asian American women's issues, reproduction, marriage and family life in America. My drawing process is meditative and intuitive, informed by patterns in nature and a visual symbolic language that has evolved over the past 20 years. Language philosophy, mythology and near eastern religions have also influenced the themes in my work as they have provided guideposts and filters for my own existential reflections. Drawing and making art is and has become my prosthetic for breathing and living in this translated space.

Drawing From Life
As a species we are driven to reproduce. This reproduction is facilitated through biology, science, culture and force. As a woman and a mother in the 21st century I reflect on how my life story is ruled by this imperative. Complementary to this desire to reproduce biologically is the desire to replicate one’s ways of thinking. The population of ideologies is an alternative and sometimes more effective way of reproduction. My current body of work represents meditations on the personal, scientific and political demonstrations of this reproductive imperative. 

My drawings are informed by my fascination with microorganisms and biological systems, but are unique reflections of subconscious patterns. Whereas most of my early work begins in graphite gold is also an important symbol in my work. Gold is a symbol of power, dominance, corruption, desire as well as reverance, purity and the sacred.  I do not know why as an element it has been chosen to feed, propel and give value to our desires. It may be as primal as its semblance to the sun or its value as an incorruptible element. I also use the colors pink and blue to this portfolio of work. Though basely interpreted as gendered colors I identify with them as symbols of vulnerability, life and beatitude. As an artist I am a believer in transformation. My art is in practice a way for me to envision and create a world of truth, beauty and love, even and especially, when the culture we live in is fraught with pain and corruption.

Reflections, Musings, Outrage, and the Beautiful Bits of Pseudo Pompous life.

Reflections on the DC Superfine Art Fair and a Coupon Code for your Holiday Shopping!
DC Superfine Art Fair 2023 Dock 5 at Union Market Washington DC OCTOBER 26 - OCTOBER 29, 2023
Postponed Until - Oct 27-29 DC Superfine Art Fair 2023 Dock 5 at Union Market Washington DC April 5-April 9, 2023
A.D. Herzel will be showing two Digital Composite Prints, Granny Square and Mother Ship in Arlington, VA at the Gallery Underground.
My history of western Art education from Sargent to Kreuger paving the way for exploration of Asian American Women creators and artists.
Seeds From the East - Exhibit and programming
Exhibition April 30- June 5, 2022 May 14, 2022 Artist Talk 4-5pm Opening Reception 5-7pm
Seeds From the East Exhibition- April 30-June 5, 2022 Philip Jaisohn House May 14, 2022 Artist Talk 4-5pm Opening Reception 5-7pm
Afghan Bride drawing by A.D. Herzel exhibited in Philadelphia A benefit for Tools for Schools and Education Works Oct. 7-Nov. 19, 2021 990 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia
A spotlight on the Asian America and Korean Adoptee Experience.
A little more about A.D. Herzel, the life, the work and the meaning.
Flower Photographs, Illustrations and Digital Composites in an on demand print format with options for licensing. A.D. Herzel's Spring Flowers, Pandemic Blossoms and #AsianGirls illustrations.
250 Years of Botetourt History in Artifacts and Art Exhibition of Historical works and works of Art by Contemporary Botetourt County Artists. A.D Herzel's mixed media work , "Conversations with the trees" and "What is a Chair" are included.
The latest image drop on The Universal Asian. Learn more about the inspiration for my works.

03/19/2021

Premier Inaugural Print Edition Limited Varied Multimedia Edition of 11 Exclusively sold on: Notyourkitty.store Pseudo Pompous Press
Olin Hall Gallery, Roanoke College Exhibit, Ephemeral Tranquility. Sutra's, Open, Heart Sutra and Because you never truly left the womb of the universe by A.D. Herzel all on display.
Essay on Beauty as a Korean American Adoptee. Growing up in America with White Western beauty standards and learning to appreciate what true beauty is in my middle age.
Writing about the Seeds from the East, Adoptee Healing Project.

11/17/2020

November Issue of The Universal Asian
Welcome to the studio of A.D. Herzel, small prints, cards, mixed media, drawings, watercolors, portraits, abstract micro-drawings and photo-composites. Watch the video #virtualartgallery
A brief introduction to the Korean Adoptee Healing Project Images and text about the Portrait project

09/29/2020

Oct 1st launch of Patreon.com/adherzel A brief history of my culture from an American perspective. Tales of messianic cults, Jewish rituals and Korean celebrations. Choseuk, Yom Kippur, Rosh Ha Shana, Sukkot
Free online Creative Arts and Mediation workshops hosted by the Gide Foundation . Every Sunday at 4pm EST. Join through Zoom link found on ADHerzel's FB Event Page.
This exhibition is a joint effort between the Moss Center and the Blacksburg Regional Art Association in conjunction with the Fine Art Center of the New River Valley in Pulaski and the Floyd Center for the Arts. Every two years the show changes from one of these organizations to the next. This marks the first time the biennial has been hosted by the spectacular Moss Center and the first biennial in Blacksburg since 2013 at Perspective Gallery. Sixty-four artists from 21 different towns or cities will be exhibiting in the three galleries of the center. These artists were selected from among 389 entries forwarded to the juror.
"Entering Amy Herzel’s gallery I was transfixed. Her works are airy, or even aerie—a secluded and isolated place high up in the sky."
Please join us for the opening reception of “Gold & Desire – a Solo Exhibition of works by Amy D. Herzel” at the Cerulean Arts Gallery & Studio on April 7, 2018 from 2pm-5pm.
Micro Drawings as spontaneous visual meditations.
Fort Worth community Art Center Solo Showdown 2017
Abstract Research collaboration with the Corilion Medical School. Partnership with Alex Shondra.

04/27/2017

Drawing on the crest of the wave.

06/17/2016

Reflections on exhibitions, sales and the work
Pseudo Pompous prints in Los Angeles.

05/15/2016

Drawing Show at the Red Arrow Gallery, Nashville

Artist Statement

As an imported Korean, meaning I was brought to the US and sold to a white family for adoption, my work revolves around themes of transracial identity, Asian American women's issues, reproduction, marriage and family life in America. My drawing process is meditative and intuitive, informed by patterns in nature and a visual symbolic language that has evolved over the past 20 years. Language philosophy, mythology and near eastern religions have also influenced the themes in my work as they have provided guideposts and filters for my own existential reflections. Drawing and making art is and has become my prosthetic for breathing and living in this translated space.

Drawing From Life
As a species we are driven to reproduce. This reproduction is facilitated through biology, science, culture and force. As a woman and a mother in the 21st century I reflect on how my life story is ruled by this imperative. Complementary to this desire to reproduce biologically is the desire to replicate one’s ways of thinking. The population of ideologies is an alternative and sometimes more effective way of reproduction. My current body of work represents meditations on the personal, scientific and political demonstrations of this reproductive imperative. 

My drawings are informed by my fascination with microorganisms and biological systems, but are unique reflections of subconscious patterns. Whereas most of my early work begins in graphite gold is also an important symbol in my work. Gold is a symbol of power, dominance, corruption, desire as well as reverance, purity and the sacred.  I do not know why as an element it has been chosen to feed, propel and give value to our desires. It may be as primal as its semblance to the sun or its value as an incorruptible element. I also use the colors pink and blue to this portfolio of work. Though basely interpreted as gendered colors I identify with them as symbols of vulnerability, life and beatitude. As an artist I am a believer in transformation. My art is in practice a way for me to envision and create a world of truth, beauty and love, even and especially, when the culture we live in is fraught with pain and corruption.