This here are colors inspired by the vibe and energy of Bali, while the patterns are inspired by indigenous Philippine textiles.
This was my daily dose of CMYK from our window, even while on holiday in Bali. Staying at W Hotel in Seminyak was a welcome treat for the senses: from the comfortably modulated beats piped in all corners, to the hint of lemongrass that permeates the air.
Before flying in, I was dreading being cooped up in some stuffy, formal hotel with canned air-conditioning. So you can imagine my delight when I discovered that all communal areas — lobby, room corridors and lounges — open up to the sweeping view of the Indian Ocean thundering just a few steps away.
For someone who loves quirky design and colors, staying at the W was such a pleasurable experience. This is their lobby at sun-down, with perfectly timed mood lights changing at intervals.
The waters of Bali are not to be taken lightly. I grew up in a land of beaches so I should be used to falling asleep to the sound of the gentle lapping of the sea. But the sound of the Indian Ocean constantly roars, which explains why you don’t see anyone swimming in open waters and you stumble across signs like these:
While I like the sun, I never really appreciated the concept of sitting under the sun doing nothing. I get a tan because I swim or play tennis. So it was my first time to do actual sun-bathing and for the first two minutes I felt and looked every bit awkward because I didn’t know how to sit and do nothing under the sun.
So, I decided to do what comes naturally, which is to draw.
From where I sat, I could see our room. This is the glow we see from the balcony at night:
I have to admit the intensity of the wind whipping against the glass door of our veranda combined with the thundering waves of the ocean gave me a tinge of anxiety for a few seconds. Then I decide to let it go and allow myself to just be.
There’s a lot of natural sunlight and air that kept our room nice and airy. In the daytime, we are greeted by rays from the bathroom skylight. For those who think someone might come by to do some window washing, just click the button and a shade covers the ceiling for your peace of mind 🙂
The bathroom space at the W is not found wanting. In fact, it’s safe to assume that the bathroom occupies more than 1/3 of the room but with a lot of area to spare.
The bathroom walls have an option for full glass view with a wall you can pull out from the bedroom if you want more privacy.
Our view fully faces the ocean, which we can enjoy from the daybed and lounge chair in our spacious veranda. The W also does its share to take care of Mother Earth. It took me a while to figure out why the room kept getting hot. This sign explains why.
And there’s also this. I’m proud to say that we did cooperate accordingly.
The hotel was bursting with energy and colors everywhere. Which is probably why I loved the place so much, says the girl who doesn’t like staying in stuffy hotels.
At the W, none of the funky coffee mugs match. And it’s just the way I like it.
By the shore, we made some friends.
Though we chose to spend a lot of time soaking in the beauty of Bali from the W, we had a lot of time to explore the flavors around Seminyak.
The first meal: Babi Guling. Similar to the Philippines’ famed Cebu lechon (suckling pig) but a lot more fragrant. Every juicy bite is succulent and bursting with lemongrass goodness without that usual porky taste that stopped me from eating meat for years. Compared to lechon, it is served in slivers and not chunks. It’s probably THE dish that made me decide that, yes, Bali will be a regular trip from now on!
I also enjoyed this fall-off-the-bone beef dish from Bambu, hinting of citrus from lime, probably a sliver of coconut milk and a dash of sweet chili. But before that, I had this:
Softshell crab drizzled in more sweet chili. If you’re familiar with Thai flavors, the Balinese palate is very, very similar.
Bambu | Seminyak, Bali
What I appreciate most about Bali is how tradition is interspersed in every bit of modern flavor, design and sound.
Farm-to-table dining by rice paddies at Sardine.
At the lobby | W Hotel Bali
I must to explain that I typically don’t t like watching movie previews or read movie reviews. I like the element of surprise and will watch what I want to watch, regardless of what other people say. My approach to our last-minute holiday in Bali was somewhat like that. I only had enough info to know where we’re going, but other than that I wanted to just let one thing lead to another. I had no idea that Seminyak would be both rustic and stylish at the same time, and that there was so much diversity in the area.
You see them everywhere in Bali. Tiny baskets or trays of flowers on sidewalks, lower porch steps, main entrances or even counter tops of stores. It consists of colorful buds and petals, somtimes crackers, a cookie, candies and you can even spot a cigarette in there every so often. Our driver explained that all structures have two offerings, one on a higher level, and another on a lower part of a home or establishment. The ones in front is to ward off the bad.
Barbacoa | Bali
And finally, who would have thought that one of the best fish tacos is to be found in a place like this in Bali?
One other thing that caught me off guard about the island? The weather. We traveled on a whim last week where the air was PERFECT, ranging a comfortable 19C-29C (64F to 88F).
I am a very fussy traveler so I’m very grateful that my husband put everything together a week earlier to create this breathtaking holiday. From the moment I stepped out of the plane, my first bite of local food and the quiet moments just soaking in the island’s beat and nature, everything was just magical.
It is now officially a favorite. Bali, we look forward to greeting you each morning very soon. Ubud up next!
There are days when you just know what you’re going to do and make and there are days that are a bit of a struggle. Anyone feeling creatively stubborn today?
For this Moleskine spread, I chose one tiny element from my previous sketches, like the semi-circle, and just drew it over and over and over and over again. It’s a lot soothing and easier than it looks, I promise.
I am grateful to call Singapore home for almost 5 years now. Today, we celebrate with the Little Red Dot as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee. This is the country where I renewed and continue to grow my calling as an artist, where friends are family, and where I commune daily with nature and a multitude of people from different cultures.
You are inspiring, Singapore.
It’s not everyday that I come across a book that is after my own heart — every single page, cover to cover. Danielle Krysa (aka The Jealous Curator) is a story in itself, one that all 50 featured artists in the book speak of. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve picked up a book so engaging that it’s the first thing I read while having breakfast (and the only thing I read throughout the day when I’m free!).
Here are 5 reasons why I BELIEVE every person who has tried creating (professional artists and artists-at-heart alike) should definitely have “Creative Block” in their collection:
Reason #1: Danielle Krysa
Find out why she’s called “The Jealous Curator” and you will understand why the book and the author are one and the same — and that ultimately, we are just like her, too 🙂 By the way, I’ve only met her through social media and I already think she’s an incredible human being.
Reason #2: Pictures. LOTS of pictures!
One of the best ways to be inspired (or jealous, whichever it is you choose) is to see other people’s breathtaking work. The book is packed with images that draws the reader instantly into the world of every artist, designer, illustrator, painter and sculptor Danielle interviewed.
Reason #3: These artists are human.
With our bellowing voice of self-doubt crippling our fullest potential, this book opens our eyes to the world of prolific and creative professionals. “Creative Block” is a collective story, humbling tales of otherwise ordinary people who talk about their work, the artists whom THEY are jealous of, dealing with negative (and scathing!) remarks and their creative process.
Reason #4: The book is easy on the eyes.
The size of the book makes it easy to appreciate full-color art spreads. Moreover, what I enjoyed most was that it was a quick read, where around 3 pages are dedicated per artist in a Q&A style of writing.
Reason #5: It is packed with practical advice and easy-peasy projects to do.
Every artist featured in this book provides a Creative UNblock activity, nothing too overwhelming actually. I’ve tried a couple myself and they encourage you to think out of the box by looking at the mundane in a different way, and using whatever is already physically available in your life.
Here are two of the projects I’ve tried thus far:
1. Creative UNblock #26 from Jessie Draxler: gather ordinary things from around the house, place them together and take a photo. I went through my paper bin and found this crumpled foil from my acrylic palette and placed it beside a Dalí coffee mug.
2. Creative UNblock #04 by Cassandra Smith: make a little sculpture out of a found object. My take on this is drawing my dog Jones around some used corks I found on a shelf. Wa-chaaaa!
For those unfamiliar with my earlier posts, click my ABOUT page and find out why this book means a lot to me. “Creative Block” has become a friend of sorts that I can turn to when in need of some delicious creative replenishment.
Have a succulent day and get those creative juices flowing now!
PS. No, this is not a paid post, in case you’re wondering. I just really, REALLY loved the book 🙂
In one of her talks, Lisa Congdon mentioned a “painting curve” which looks like the letter “U”, my process EVERY SINGLE TIME: start with giddy excitement as I begin with the first strokes and slather the first layers of color. Midway I just want to hurl it against a wall or rip it to shreds because it starts to look nothing like what I see in my head.
But only recently I learned to soldier on through that uncomfy, awkward and annoying phase instead of chucking it in the bin. In the end, there is that sense of accomplishment in concluding a piece, even if I’m not always 100% happy with it 🙁
And this is what a sketchbook looks like when you commit to that process: every single page covered with complete illustrations, no ripped pages and saw everything through with nothing disposed of.
I learned the full meaning of one word when I used to go wall-climbing: commit.
Whenever I would hit a snag and hesitate and shout “I can’t! Bring me down!” to the one belaying from below, he would shout back “You kidding? Just commit!”. Even other climbers nearby would chorus the same thing and shout “Commit! Just commit!”. I quickly learned that what they were telling me was simply this: Do not hesitate. Let go and release the grip of one hand so you can reach up with the other and move along, flailing and all.
So today, I apply the same principles in soldiering through my creative process. Simply commit and allow yourself to be pushed in the direction your work is taking you. Yes, there will be a lot of discomfort, but I believe it’s really is such a great way to simply surprise yourself.
I am still waiting for Danielle Krysa’s “Creative Block” book to arrive at my doorstep.
Tick tock tick tock.
For those not in the know, she is the energy behind the artful blog The Jealous Curator. Love love love! 🙂
In the meantime, I follow her on Facebook and she has been generously sharing monthly tips from the artists featured in the book, to break the very things we conjure in our heads that hold us back from being our most creative self. I only caught the April project shared by mixed media artist Cassandra Smith :
Make a little sculpture using a found object. Find something around your house, at a thrift store, a wacky junk store, anywhere! An object that is about as big as your hand or smaller is probably the best size to start with, so it’s not overwhelming. And make sure it’s something you don’t mind ruining. This is just suppose to be fun after all! And then transform the heck out of it! Paint on it, glue things to it, cut it in half and glue it back to itself, or glue it to something else. Use the objects color and shape to inspire you. — Krysa, Danielle. “Creative Block”, 2014.
This is my initial take on the project. Although I didn’t do a sculpture, I did manage to turn an old wine cork into a log for my dog Jones, who is channeling his inner Daniel-san.
Wax on.
Wax off.
Thought I’d give the Moleskine sketchbook a break and indulge in a trusty 300 gsm watercolor paper today. On days that I’m just not in the mood for black ink, I try experimenting with others colors: a red ballpoint pen, an orange highlighter, or even a white gel pen. As I also wanted something different, I decided to splash some colors on an otherwise plain white paper for a fresh change 🙂
I cannot remember a time when I didn’t draw something and to this day, I still can’t distinguish my professional creations from doodles because they are one and the same. I never had formal training and I missed that chance to study Fine Arts at the state university because I forgot to take my exam. That’s another story right there!
The definition of a “doodle” I came across is “to draw aimlessly when preoccupied”. I did this a lot as a student because I had (and still have) a hard time focusing. It caused problems for me, of course, because I was labelled as distracted and spaced-out. This meant getting sent to the guidance counsellor.
1. Doodling kept me alert while I listened in class, though. That’s what helped me make sense of all the thoughts streaming in. It’s a bit of a detour and alternate route to learning, but it worked for me probably because the intuitive act of drawing is a good way to repel tension. This creative ritual puts my entire being at ease, which allows me to think.
2. I doodle not because there is nothing going on in my head but exactly because there is too much going on in there. And doodling is what harmoniously strings all the buzzing together into perfect harmony.
3. It’s possible people dismiss doodling as just some jumbled up, inane scribblings and something for the hands to do to while your time away. But I know that there are people out there that need a release and this kind of space in their heads to clear the brain of clutter so ideas can filter in gracefully. I believe the freedom in doodling creates a limitless sphere of nothingness in our heads where concepts, thoughts, shapes, words and colour thrive — if only we let them .
4. Most of my paintings, and illustrations are harvested from this crude process. Of course this method cannot work for all tasks, especially those that are time-sensitive, those which require minute detail and precision.
5. But doodling, I believe, is a skill we are all capable of. We joyously did this long before we even learned to write our name. But someone must have told us early on to stop making a mess, to stop wasting time, to only colour within the lines, or to draw a tree “this way”.
So how does one learn how to doodle? We just have to pause, relish the brief silence and simply remember.
It seems like forever since I updated the site with a blog post. Hello again everyone! Been busy with Instagram so if you want to see recent illustrations and what I’ve been up to, just pop over at my IG account The Jar Of Salt.
Been starting my days lately by listening to a lot of creative podcasts. It’s an invigorating way to start the day and hearing people’s stories gives me a fresh take on my own craft and goals. Just last Saturday, I finished conducting the sketchbook workshop “Who’s Afraid Of The Big Blank Page?”. I conceived this class specifically for people who say they “can’t draw”. Before we started, all ten of them said the same thing last weekend. Oddly, I used to be that person too.
When the class started gaining momentum, they surprised themselves with what they were able to do
These beautiful illustrations are made by the same people claiming they can’t draw 🙂
The struggle is real and yet all it took for me to turn my art around was when I completely embraced my own imperfections and my own uniqueness as an artist. I used to shy away from calling myself an artist thinking my wobbly illustrations were too childish to be validated as “real” art. Finding a community (and mine are even just online!) was most energizing for someone who is allergic to the term “networking”. If you find the right group for you, it can do wonders. I was lucky to meet a lot of like-minded souls who helped me along the way.
Sometimes all you need is one person to help you make that change.
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