Hibiscus can be found everywhere in Malaysia as it is the national flower of the country. Whenever I see hibiscus here, it reminds me of my birth country Malaysia. It’s where I developed my artistic skills in portraits and chose pastel as my main art medium.
I transitioned from using pencil to pastels in the mid 90’s and it’s been my favorite art medium to use to create paintings.
After I left my portrait business I also stopped painting with pastel. Even though I loved using pastel so much I had issues like allergy and pastel dust.
I developed my pastel skills by observing portrait artists work with this medium in the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. I applied the techniques that I learned there and experimented with my own techniques during my painting process.
My first exposure to pastel was when my parents brought me to the Central Market when I was in my first year in college. We stopped and talked with a portrait artist named Dino. I asked him some questions about his painting process and then showed him my portrait drawings. He was so amazed at my portrait drawing skills that he offered to coach me. I promised that I would come to his space in Central Market when I had the chance to do so.
When my mother suddenly passed away, my goal shifted as I needed to focus on school; for three years I didn’t produce any paintings.
When I got my first job, I moved to Shah Alam back because I had plans to continue my studies in the United States. My former boss at the time hired me simply because I was an artist. Whenever he had a chance, he’d talk about art, as his wife was an artist. From these discussions I learned about what artist grade art materials I needed to buy for my pastel paintings.
During the weekend, I went to the Central Market’s art store and looked for the pastel brand and papers that my boss suggested.
After I got married, I started my creative business by offering my portrait commissions from home. I also had my first portrait exhibition in my hometown, Melaka. The following year, I got the opportunity to have my portraits featured in a new coffee table book titled, “Diana in Art”, about Princess Diana.
At the time, I was already competent with three media; pencil, pastel, and colored pencil.
When I quit portrait painting I stopped painting with pastel too. When we moved into our home, I put my easel away in the garage; out of sight, out of mind. I didn’t miss painting with pastel as I was exploring other creative outlets.
There were only a few times when I created pastel paintings(magazine features and pastel tutorials).
It took me almost a decade to pick this medium up again seriously.
In 2018, while making a New Year’s goal, I wanted to start painting with pastel again, so I took out some pastel sanded paper that I purchased a decade ago!
I had to work on my first painting in my studio because it was winter time. I created a simple setup for my pastel painting. During my painting breaks, I realized that I didn’t have the allergy that I used to have.
Sure, I produced some pastel dust but the paper I used didn’t produce a lot of dust. I was amazed by the paper quality and at the same time very happy that it didn’t rile up my allergies.
To this day, I still use the same pastel brand that my former boss suggested. The only thing that changed is that I’m using high quality pastel sanded paper.
This vibrant red hibiscus painting is not only a great reminder of where I came from but also where I started my artistic journey.
When I’ve completed a painting, I feel so satisfied because I’ve produced a quality artwork that will last a lifetime in my collector’s home.
FINE ART PRINTS
I offer prints in multiple sizes. Come check them out at my Shop.
Here’s an idea on how to decorate your home with this beautiful print.
What story would you tell with this flower print? Let me know in the comments!
Stay kreatif,
Siti
