Freestyling on Tibetan Exquisite Adornments (and A Spoonful of Procrastination)

So, I started this project back in the beginning of 2013, as my contribution for Anti Denim 666 Frames. Once again, being highly influenced by ancient heritage I planned to create an illustration based on Tibetan traditional culture. Now let me show you how gorgeous these people are:

Don't you think they have such effortlessly cute smiles?

Those are the women and brides from Khampa, they live at Himalayan mountains and ridges on the western-side of Tibet, next to Sichuan province of China. The reason why they sport those heavy looking of adornments on their attires (besides marriage and other ceremonies) is because they are nomadic people, every winter they have to move somewhere else warmer or to more adaptable places, so they invest their wealth on precious stones (mostly ambers) an have their possessions being as mobile as they are. Their men also sport the same appearance, with fur hats and traditional handwoven fabrics.

Some of Tibetan woven fabrics, on the left is a rug, and the right one is a brocade made of pure silk, you see those eldery Tibetan weavers showing their masterpieces in a cheerful manner? I'll be as happy if I can create one. Oh how I wish to learn about weaving right now, I want to carve woods, and create fire from sticks and stones, those kind of skills...

Tibetan jewelry are  some of the best craftsmanships due to their meticulous designs. 

Now up there at the far left is a Phurpa dagger, a sacred apparatus for Tibetan Buddhist rituals (such as ceremonies and mask dances), symbolizing the destruction of evil and negative emotions. Next to it is a Vajra (as a jewelry), in Indonesia we call it Wajra, symbolizes the diamond (indestructible force) and lightning bold (irresistible force).

I acknowledged the symbol for the first time when my boyfriend Altar Tattoo tattooed our friend a pointillism vajra. Those are my main influences for the drawing.

Had the researches done, I began to work the sketch in August while having my hometown vacation, no, actually I was there for work, for a couple days with sudden meetings and cancelled airplane ticket accident, sadly. Fortunately I can meet my good ol' pals and fulfill my annual craving of authentic Sundanese delicacy...

Frame Number 341 in progress...

Finally finished the whole piece a couple of weeks later...

...aaaand I'm still not done, I haven't upload it to the site, went all "Where do we go now..." from this. What a bummer right? Axl Rose is proud of me now. I'll update this post as soon as I'm done taking care of my mood. See ya!

The Internet

Some features with screenshots later...

On Green Sands ID (with an interview).
On Grafis Masa Kini
On Lyemium
On Original Signature (made a mixtape).
On Limmie Graphic Design Magazine (with an interview).
On Malesbanget.com :))

Moonscythe's Hekatombaion

My work from last January for Moonscythe, check out their awesome lookbook... :)
I chose the title because it represents Moonscythe's inaugural edition, as Hekatombaion means; the first month of the year for celebrating athena's apollo, it begins at sunset with the first visible crescent moon following the summer solstice.

Jewelry Inspired; The Symbolisms and Sierra Leone

Ever since my best friend handed me a book called Sieraad Simbool Signaal to help my thesis (about interactive futuristic jewelry), I am totally hooked up to its content. It's like having the first key to open my gate of fascination- which in my case including; historical and cultural jewelry. From the facts to trivias I were led page by page, exploring years after years of its evolution until I conclude my own understanding, that the jewelry both the making and its usage, have a bold-esoteric value. Not everyone will understand that it's not only about a piece of thread you wrap around your hand, or a big huge diamond necklace worn by the bourgeoisie for prestige; but more about celebrating the beauty of craftsmanship, the heritage, something sentimental that has value beyond price.

I took an inspiration from the using of tribal and ancient jewelry. Jewelry itself being as old as mankind, enhance many symbolisms, such as status and power, sensual attractions, mentality, part of ritual and spiritual ornaments, and at the core of it all, it has been used for centuries as a form of communication. Therefore for me, a lot can be recreated and reproduced from it-one result of our fondness in decorating-and this is my first attempt. This artwork is featured at Titik Dua Graphic Design Magazine Vol II.

Artist's Tee Legong; Dance of The Virgins

I had this commission to work on an artist tee series for a lifestyle concept store in Seminyak. I have given no specific rules this time, just to create something that is me. Since I'm very fond of craftsmanship in Baroque paintings, traditional carvings, and culture applications, I tried to combine those beauty aspects with inspirations that came from this place I currently live on; Bali. My choice is to bring one of the sacred dance; Legong and local flower; kembang jepun or frangipani which is very easy to be seen on the streets and ceremonies here. My boyfriend got a copy of a very old movie starred by native Balinese called Legong; Dance of The Virgins and it was very amusing to watch- we are currently looking for a mystical Legong dance in Ubud that is held once in every 30 years right now. I'm so excited.

By making this tee I wanted people who buy the shirt will have their vacation memorabilia that is not a cliche, not a mass produced Bintang tank or Jiggy Jig hats. I created two symbols of Ohm, and finally decided to use the Balinese one instead-and blend it with the carvings and Barong teeth as the frame. I'm still working on the packaging, will update this very soon. :)

For the love of ancient times; Ulaanbataar & Lilith

Part I. Ulaanbataar, an old drawing I made back in 2010. When I was a kid I had book collections about castles structures around the world, ancient armors of the Chinese and Japanese, historical trivia of Egypt and middle east, perhaps that's why I am so fascinated by classical aesthetic. Parallel with that, my mother- a Christian, spent many times exploring atlas of the old testament, and the Roman empire, sometimes she told me new 'facts' about it which is quite interesting for me, as a story... ;) The last one, haha, the army of Madame Coco, love it Mr. Tetsuya Noguchi!
Now back to mine, so this is what I draw during the ugly days of writing my thesis...




Part II. Lilith in The Garden of Eve. Lilith the rebel who get out of Eden, by choice (acc. Midrashic literature).

Limbo and Medusa for Versus Graphic Design Magazine

My old work from the past that I still want to keep. Double cover work for Versus in October 2010. I were asked to create two artworks influenced by the mythical demon; Medusa, and something more angelic, ever since I am inspired by Dante's Inferno, I created Limbo- The Gate of Hell as the result. Still not very angelic is it...
So called image board: This year I finally owned a copy of Dante's Inferno (pict above), I'm not too satisfied with the translation, but for now it's okay. I am also inspired by John Martin paintings, since romanticism is my other favorite art-phase after Baroque... some of his paintings have similar environment like most of my dreams (I dream a lot about doomsday, and the sea is always red... blah.)
After some glasses of coffee and a bit of procrastination... alas, I lost my high resolution of Medusa, so there's only a glimpse of details from Limbo.