Sector Seven Contemporary Art Gallery (S7CAG) is pleased to announce an upcoming public art exhibition by Eunice Lee. This exhibition, opening at Jones Coffee Roasters in South Pasadena (1006 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030), will feature a series of original artworks created with gouache and colored pencil.
The exhibition is open for viewing from Sunday, April 12th, through Sunday, June 14, 2026. Guests are invited to explore the collection during operating hours, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with extended hours until 6:00 PM during the summer season.
Following this debut exhibition, the collection will tour a network of third spaces throughout Pasadena, South Pasadena, Highland Park, and Santa Monica. In these locations, S7CAG partners with select cultural venues to present rotating exhibitions of original contemporary artwork available for acquisition.
For archival purposes, please note that the interview below was conducted via email on March 21, 2026. Esteban Lopez and Eunice Lee were both at their private residences in South Pasadena, California, USA.
A Brief Introduction
Eunice Lee is a visual development artist and illustrator based in South Pasadena. Originally from La Crescenta, she graduated from ArtCenter College of Design where she studied Illustration, and has worked across animation, games, advertising, and publishing at studios like Titmouse, Blur, Nickelodeon, and ShadowMachine.
Alongside her work in the entertainment industry, Eunice enjoys painting with gouache and colored pencils, inspired by the warmth and gentle glow of everyday moments. When she is not working on her Wacom Cintiq—an industry-standard creative pen display for digital artists—she can often be found painting en plein air with her friends or at home in the company of her cats, Tofu and Toru.
The Vibrant Underlayer: An Interview with Eunice Lee
Can you tell us a little about your background and how art became part of your life?
Drawing began as a way to process my thoughts and calm my anxiety, growing up in a creative home shaped by my mother’s crafts. Over time, I pursued art more seriously, studying illustration at ArtCenter College of Design and eventually working in animation. While my professional work is primarily digital, I returned to a more tactile practice through gouache and colored pencil, developing that alongside my work in visual development.
When did you first start making art, and what were those early works like?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I loved doodling and making things, especially fan art and original characters, and I was active online sharing my work and interacting with others
Why did you start making artwork? Was there a defining moment when you
began sharing your work?
When I was younger, I was very into anime and manga at a time when they weren’t as widely accepted, so I turned to online communities to connect with others who shared those interests. That experience made sharing feel accessible and helped build my confidence over time.
What materials or techniques are central to your practice, and why do they appeal to you?
I primarily work in gouache, sometimes combined with colored pencil. I’m drawn to gouache for its vibrancy and opacity, while colored pencil adds quick texture and layering that complements the paint.
How has your educational and career background influenced your artwork?
My background in visual development has shaped how I think about composition and storytelling. Even in my traditional work, I approach each piece with an emphasis on clarity, structure, and mood.
Do you work from intuition, concept, or something in between?
Most of my traditional paintings come from direct observation or from my own photos. I focus on capturing mood and colors that aren’t immediately visible, often pushing them to feel more expressive. I like to romanticize everyday scenes and make them glow.
Can you describe how you select the colors and materials you use?
My current gouache palette is influenced by a class I took through Warrior Art Camp, which I’m still active in. From there, I experiment with combinations that feel visually compelling. I often use opera pink as an underlayer to introduce a sense of vibrancy.
Can you walk us through your creation process? How does a piece begin, and how do you know when it’s complete?
I usually begin with a wash of opera pink, which subtly shows through as I build layers and adds vibrancy to the final image. It’s difficult to define a clear endpoint, but I typically consider a piece complete when the focal point is clear and the composition feels resolved.
What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to in your work?
I tend to return to themes of warmth, nostalgia, and quiet everyday moments, while continuing to explore color in a more expressive way.
What do you hope viewers experience when engaging with your work?
I hope the work offers a sense of calm and lightness that allows viewers to slow down and find a bit of ease in their day.
Do you typically begin with a concept, or does it emerge through the process?
For my gouache paintings, I usually work from life or from my own photos. Sometimes the concept emerges throughout the process, but I try to have a loose vision in mind.
Looking across your body of work, is there a common thread that connects it?
A recurring theme in my work is finding beauty in everyday life. I like to highlight moments that might seem mundane but are actually comforting. It’s a way of grounding myself in a world that can feel overwhelming.
How much does your personal life or identity show up in your work?
I’m not sure how directly it appears, but I intentionally try to capture a sense of hopefulness. I tend to be reflective and sentimental, and creating work centered on warmth helps me reinforce that perspective.
Which artists, thinkers, or experiences have had the greatest impact on your development?
Warrior Painters and ArtCenter have had the most direct impact on my development. I’m also drawn to Henry Hensche’s use of color, and The Art Spirit has been influential in shaping how I think about art more broadly.
This is one of your first public exhibitions. What does this moment mean to you?
I’m excited! It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. I have and still am struggling with imposter syndrome, so exhibiting feels like a step toward taking my work more seriously and allowing it to exist outside of my own space.
Why now? What made you feel ready to share your work publicly?
I’ve reached a point where I can accept my work more fully, even with its imperfections. I’ve come to value the process of making, so the outcome feels less important than it used to.
Are there particular works in this collection that feel like turning points?
A key turning point was when I started painting in gouache more consistently in 2024. During #pleinairpril, I challenged myself to work on a piece for one to two hours each day over a week, which helped me push through difficult stages.
What do you hope people notice or take away when they see your work in person?
I hope the work feels familiar in a way that encourages people to slow down and notice something they might otherwise overlook.
What does it mean to you to exhibit in third-spaces like cafes rather than traditional galleries?
I really value third spaces. They feel more approachable and allow for a more natural connection with the local community.
Do you document your process through sketchbooks or notes?
Sometimes I document my process through sketchbooks or notes, though it’s not very consistent.
Where do you see your practice evolving in the next few years?
I’m interested in continuing to explore mixed media. I’ve started incorporating colored pencil into my gouache work and would like to experiment further with collage and found materials, which are something I was drawn to during school. I also want to keep pursuing digital work. I feel like there is alway something more to learn with art.
Upcoming Exhibition: Eunice Lee
S7CAG is pleased to announce an upcoming public art exhibition by Eunice Lee. This exhibition, opening at Jones Coffee Roasters in South Pasadena (1006 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030), will feature a series of original artworks created with gouache and colored pencil.
The exhibition is open for viewing from Sunday, April 12th, through Sunday, June 14, 2026. Guests are invited to explore the collection during operating hours, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with extended hours until 6:00 PM during the summer season.
S7CAG is dedicated to bringing contemporary art into the community. By partnering with select cultural venues to present rotating exhibitions, the gallery expands access to art beyond traditional gallery walls while maintaining a curated exhibition and acquisition experience.
Each venue in our network hosts a distinct selection of artists presented as part of the S7CAG exhibition program. The intention is to bridge the gap between artists and the public, creating unique opportunities for discovery and collection.
All works exhibited are available for acquisition and are removed upon placement. S7CAG offers private consultations, placement advisory services, local delivery, and shipping both domestically and internationally.
Explore the full collection of available works from Eunice Lee by tapping here. Stay up to date on Lee's artistic journey by following her on Instagram.
