@thespeakableart

Instagram: @thespeakableart

1. What’s your story? Where are you from?

I'm from a tiny tropical island called Bali. When I was 18, I moved abroad for my bachelor's degree and stayed there for nearly four years. I opted to leave my home for a life-changing adventure, and I'm still not planning on returning since I want to explore more.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I enjoy experimenting with soft hues to find the finest color combinations. My color palette is highly variable; based on the objects or settings I create and I stop the modification when my eyes are happy. Even if the colors are always changing, my drawing technique remains consistent. I prefer to let the character art define my work, and I hope that one day when people see my artwork, they can recognize it as my creation.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

When I was a kid, I used to draw with pastel oil and I actually won a few competitions with it, but then I stopped drawing for a while. I discovered digital art during my internship as a Creative Marketer in college, and I find graphic design as a type of art that I can combine with my studies, which is marketing. After graduating, I reintroduced myself to art by purchasing an iPad, and so my digital art journey began. What I appreciate about digital art is how I can use it for several purposes at once and how easy I can experiment with different textures and colors.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I start with a basic sketch on a piece of paper or immediately on my tablet; sometimes, when I see something attractive, I take a picture of it with my phone and then use it as a drawing reference. Then I color it and add some shading.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work? 

People and places. I get a lot of inspiration when I'm outside, I find beauty in human activities, unique places, colorful things and sometimes my past life events. 

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art is where I find comfort in my life. I enjoy how doing art allows me to think about and comprehend numerous things. For years, I've lived in a fast-paced atmosphere, attempting to complete college in three years rather than four, and rushing for things I'm not sure what they are. When I was drawing at night one day, I questioned myself, "What am I chasing?" Eventually, with art, I realized there is beauty in process and time, which I didn't appreciate back then. Now, I prefer to live slowly, with the help of art, and to savour every moment of my life. Everyone has the same time portion, 24 hours a day, but not everyone uses their time wisely, and art has helped me to value my time more.

7. Where did you study?

I studied in The Netherlands at a private business school. 

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In my art studio, where I can draw every day and do a bit of pottery in between. My goal is to work on illustration projects with brands and businesses, as well as editorial work with media companies both in my own country and abroad!

9. What about in ten?

Similar to 5 years but with many development and improvement both in personal and professional life. And hopefully, I can build my own business as well. 

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I hope that my art can inspire and impact people's emotions; when people make comments that my art makes them happy or brings them joy, I know that my artwork has done its job well. That's also how I came up with the name The Speakable Art for my Instagram account; I want my art to be able to connect with others visually, and 'speak' doesn't only imply talking, but also emotional influence.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I'm a big foodie so I enjoy a different kind of food. To mention a few, I love sushi, ramen, burgers, avocado toast, spicy meals, fried rice and of course my traditional Balinese cuisine!

12. Favourite book?

Unfortunately, I'm not a book person. But the last book I read was 'The Design of Everyday Things' and it was quite good.

13. Favourite genre of music? 

I like R&B and jazz music!

14. What are your hobbies? 

Singing, watching movies, and travelling.

15. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Probably working at a marketing agency/brand as a content specialist.