T-illustration

Today’s study is of the Cordyline plant.
The day was tough, and drawing turned out to be one of the few pleasant and comforting moments 💚

Gardenia
There are flowers that ring like temple bells. And there are those that are almost silent. Among the many blooms found in Bali, gardenia (Jempiring in Balinese) stands apart. Unlike frangipani or champaca, which belong to the sacred “canon” of Bali, the gardenia was introduced to the region. Over time, it has found its place in decorative and everyday culture.

Unlike sacred flowers, the gardenia is not required by rituals, nor is it woven into the strict geometry of daily offerings. Because it carries no fixed meaning, the gardenia becomes a space for the personal.

In Balinese tradition, fragrance is more than just a sensual pleasure. It is a way to “deliver” an offering to the gods. The gardenia, with its rich and almost meditative scent, is seen as a bridge between the visible and invisible worlds. Instead of being placed on the altar, the gardenia is often worn in the hair, grown in small gardens, or kept in private spaces where people can reflect in quiet moments. The gardenia is not only an offering to the gods, but it also reminds us that our highest states of being can become offerings too 🙏😇🤍

Daily offering / Canang Sari
Every morning, when I go to the kitchen to make coffee, I notice the daily offering my father-in-law has prepared - not for us, but for the spirits. Each day, he creates something new and meaningful, and seeing these offerings inspires me and fills the start of my day with a sense of reverence and connection. 😇🙏🌸

It’s wonderful how new, nurturing spaces can awaken a sense of growth and possibility! 💫 Recently, our friends opened Sokasi - a beautiful new café featuring a meeting and workshop hall. The space itself is enchanting - cozy, alive with greenery, flooded with natural light, and brimming with fresh air. ✨🌿🌱

Inspired by this magical environment, I hosted a comprehensive lecture on the history of watercolor there last month, followed by an intimate, hands-on workshop.

Truth be told, it wasn’t easy: just before the event, I fell ill and, to make matters worse, suffered a chemical burn from a poisonous insect - right on my face! Yet, these obstacles couldn’t keep me from sharing my passion. With over a hundred stunning watercolor works showcased - from Dürer to contemporary artists- the presentation felt like a gift that needed to be shared. ✨🙏❤️‍🔥 Ultimately, everything came together beautifully, and I was delighted to witness genuine curiosity and enthusiasm from the audience 🥰🙏

I’m eager to see how this journey continues! 💫

I started this artwork at the end of February, but I got sidetracked. Now that the orchid’s blooms are fading, I’ll have to finish the piece using only photos for reference 🌿🙏🌸

Love Story 🌿🪷💕

Alluring portals of Bali series

Nymphaea ‘Srikittiya’ is named in honor of Queen Sirikit of Thailand. This work is one of three contributions featured in a forthcoming book dedicated to Queen Sirikit. The book, supported by the Chiang Mai Botanical Garden, is scheduled for publication later this year 🪷🙏💖

Yesterday I got back from a wonderful trip to the Bali Botanic Garden. The garden sits 1,300 meters above sea level and covers more than 150 hectares, making it a real paradise for botanical artists. My artist friend Kimberly who loves to sketch, was also inspired by the place. With its wide forests, open spaces, cool air, and hardly any people around on weekdays, the garden felt especially inviting after the busy, hot streets of Ubud.

I visited the garden because of a project I’m working on, and I’ll tell you more about it soon. For now, I can say that the bright flowers were so beautiful, they kept distracting me from my research. I ended up sketching some right there, taking lots of photos, and even buying a few plants to draw at home! 🌺🥰🌿🙏

April has arrived and there is a new image on my wall calendar 🌸💫
This is a very typical and peaceful picture of Bali: a mussaenda bush with its delicate coral bracts, a small temple and a bird pecking at an offering 💖

Frangipani! 💛🤍They are Bali’s most iconic flowers. You’ll see them in every ritual, carried by priests during prayers, and worn by dancers in their crowns. These beautiful flowers are a key part of the island’s spiritual life, quietly connecting the worlds of gods and humans. 🙏✨💫