A cantankerous 75-year-old man has taken a leap into the digital age by embracing Instagram, allowing him to share his stunning artwork with his three grandchildren scattered across the globe. Initially resistant to the idea, Harold Kim is now gaining popularity online through his Instagram account, “Art for My Grandkids.”
Originally from South Korea, Harold now resides in Brazil. His life was once vibrant, filled with school drop-offs, family lunches, and afternoon pickups. However, when his daughter decided to return to South Korea, Harold found himself feeling isolated and bored. To fill his time, he turned to television, prompting his family to suggest he start drawing again and share his creations on Instagram.
“Dad was really against the whole concept of drawing again,” said his son, Alex, in an interview. “He couldn’t fathom why anyone would be interested in his drawings.” Harold’s reluctance stemmed from his unfamiliarity with technology; he had never created a Gmail or Facebook account and didn’t even possess an email address.
Despite his hesitations, Alex, a designer at a tech company, was determined to help his father. He tried to guide Harold and his wife through the intricacies of social media over the phone from New York. The plan was for Harold to create the art while his tech-savvy wife would handle the uploads. Just when they were about to give up, a new grandchild, baby Leo, was born.
During a visit to meet little Leo in New York, Harold had an epiphany. Over lunch, he expressed his concerns about not being around to see what Leo would grow up to be. Alex explained that by sharing his drawings, he could connect with his older grandchildren now and create a lasting legacy for Leo. This understanding sparked Harold’s interest in diving into the world of Instagram.
The learning curve was steep. “I often found myself frustrated, thinking, ‘Why can’t he grasp this?’” Alex recounted. “But I had to remind myself to be patient; he genuinely wanted to learn.” They dedicated a week to intensive training sessions, working on everything from uploading photos to using hashtags. Once Alex explained how hashtags functioned, Harold exclaimed, “Wow, this is fun! There are some incredible watercolor pieces out there!”
Now, not only has Harold become proficient in Instagram, but he has also ventured into Facebook and has started using an iPad that Alex gifted him. This artistic endeavor has brought the entire family closer, giving them a daily topic to discuss. Surprisingly, Harold’s artwork has attracted over 142,000 followers, making him a hit online.
“This project has profoundly changed my father’s life and our family’s dynamic,” Alex shared. “The best part has been receiving countless messages from others who feel inspired to connect with their own parents, especially those who used to create art or capture moments.”
For more insights on connecting with family through creativity, check out this resource about home insemination. And if you’re interested in practical tools, consider visiting this link for a great selection. Additionally, this resource provides useful information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, Harold Kim’s journey from grumpiness to Instagram stardom showcases the power of family connections and art. By overcoming his initial reluctance and diving into the digital world, he has found joy and engagement with his grandchildren while inspiring others to connect with their loved ones.