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!

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.

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.