Dirgahayu

Disclaimer: It's that time of year when I write in Indonesian again...I'm so sorry for non-Indonesian-speakers and may Google Translate serve you well :')

Selamat hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia yang ke-71! Semoga kalian rakyat Indonesia di mana pun berada bisa merayakan tanggal 17 kemarin dengan gaya kalian masing-masing ya. Sekarang aku mau menjadikan posting Bahasa Indo sebagai tradisi nih, untuk tiap tanggal 17 Agustus—kayak yang 2 tahun lalu itu lho. Gimana menurut kalian? Mungkin agak aneh ya baca aku ngomong pake Bahasa Indo untuk post kayak gini. Hehe, dibiasain aja ya.

Kalian ngapain aja tanggal 17 kemarin? Aku sama Kakak pergi nengok koleksi lukisan istana negara nih. Keren-keren deh banyak karya dari pelukis klasik dan pelopor dunia seni Indonesia dari tahun '30-'60an, bahkan yang dari abad 19 lho! Puas banget rasanya nunggu 3 jam di hawa panas demi bisa ngeliat langsung "Penangkapan Pangeran Diponegoro" karya Raden Saleh. Udah gitu juga ada dari beberapa pelukis ternama, macam Affandi dan S. Sudjojono. Sambil nunggu juga sekalian ngunjungin pameran Tjergam Taroeng di gedung sebelah dan sempet ngobrol sama Ananta O'Edan dan Kak Asta. Kalau kalian berminat, pamerannya masih sampai akhir Agustus ini lho!

Sis's skirt // thrifted loafers // hand-me-down purse + shirt // Oh My Bows hairbow (giveaway!) // photos by Akita

Tema hari ini juga merah putih hehe. Kali ini aku pinjem rok dari Kakak dan pakai kemeja yang dikasih bekas Mami (ibu tiriku), lengkap dengan tas yang dikasih Eyang Titi. Ini juga kali pertamaku pake pita ini, kebetulan warnanya merah putih hehe. Karena warnanya yang khas dan motifnya yang keliatan banget, pita ini jadi lumayan susah dipadupadankan sama baju-baju lainnya. Ini pita yang aku menangkan di undian/giveaway dari Oh My Bows sekitar setahun yang lalu. Ngga kerasa rambutku udah jadi panjang banget ya sekarang? Maunya sih dipotong, tapi karena ada beberapa orang yang pengen dia dipanjangin, ya udah deh nyerah ;) Mungkin segitu dulu aja ya dari aku. Waktu ini ditulis sebetulnya sekarang udah jam 23.30, tapi waktu kalian baca ini aku udah di kereta menuju Surabaya. Kalau kalian ada yang lagi/tinggal di sana, yuk ketemuan!

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse

As it is (supposed to be) summer in the northern hemisphere of the world as well as dry season out here, I thought I'd try a cold dessert recipe. Ironically, the day I made this dish, it became cloudy and later on that day it rained. Just swell, innit? Lately, peanut butter seems to be a good idea, so I thought why not incorporate it into the dish. I mean, who doesn't like peanut butter, am I right? (Though I know a few people who don't, actually) It's my favourite smear for a toast and it goes so well with cream cheese, banana and—apparently—cucumber. This time I thought we'd pair it up with a bit of white chocolate (or a more bitter variety, perhaps) and lady fingers. Let's get whippin'!

Ingredients 

• ca. 20 lady fingers/graham crackers
• 2 cups heavy whipped cream
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 125 gr white chocolate, grated/cut in small pieces
• a bit of milk (optional)
• syrup, optional

1. Crush the lady fingers and divide them into 4 small containers
2. Pour in the cream into a medium bowl and beat it using a whisk/electric mixer until soft peaks form, around 4 minutes
3. Add in the peanut butter and beat the mixture for 1-2 minutes
4. Gradually add the sugar and vanilla extract while mixing them in until stiff peaks form, around 2-3 minutes, then divide the mixture into the containers
5. Fill half a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil, put a medium bowl on top of the pan and put in the chocolate
6. Let the chocolate melt (around 5 minutes), while stirring occasionally
7. Allow it to cool slightly before putting it on top of the peanut butter layer
8. Refrigerate for 2 hours
9. Dig in!

Tips: For this recipe I used lady fingers that my Stepmom baked beforehand but I think it's easy to find anywhere. Otherwise, graham crackers will also work perfectly well for this. This recipe will fit ideally into a small mason jar, but if you don't have one, using glasses like I did is not a problem. If the chocolate has difficulty melting, feel free to add milk to hasten the process. To make the dish even prettier, adding chocolate/maple syrup or honey is an option—plus it adds a lovely taste too! Lass es euch schmecken!

Illustrators Arise: Wickana Laksmi Dewi

Well, hello there, artsy folks! How are you doing? Hope you're well 'cause I've got some great news: it's time for another edition of Illustrators Arise! Woohoo! I'm sorry it was absent last month, but now it's back. In case you're unfamiliar with it, Illustrators Arise is where I introduce my favourite illustrators from all over the world every month through an interview so you guys can read along and get to know them too. This year has been all about showcasing Indonesian's best illustrators and the series continues with a lady who creates eerie and strange illustrations with a bit of horror and grotesque element implemented into her works. Please welcome, Wickana Laksmi Dewi! The first time I saw her works was when I went to Catalyst Art Market and visited her booth. Her macabre and horror illustrations caught my eyes right away, especially with her smooth and clean pencil technique. The big head and eyes signify her works as being both cute and creepy. A fan of Junji Ito, Wickana describes herself as a simple girl with a complicated mind.

Hello, Wickana! Shall we start from the beginning: when did you first start drawing and what made you stick with it?

What I can say for certain is that since I was very little, I've already started drawing, but then began drawing even more frequently after I got to know Japanese comic books, such as Sailor Moon, Doraemon, etc. And what makes me keep drawing until now is because I really enjoy the drawing process. I'm also the type of person who has difficulty expressing how I feel through words, so I choose to use the visual media more often.

Did you study art/design? If yes, what did you get from it aside from art-related stuff? If not, why not?

I studied at the Fine Arts and Design Faculty at ITB, taking the Visual Communication Design major, so everything I learnt at the time was actually more for graphic design, as opposed to fine art. Maybe aside from design theories and techniques, there were plenty other knowledge that I gained from the experience. One of them being psychology, because I believe art can be used as a medium to connect and communicate between human beings. How can art touch people emotionally? So, indirectly, we can also had to learn about the human mind and soul.

What kind of materials do you usually use?

The materials that I use vary greatly, sometimes traditional and sometimes digital. But the material that I love the most is pencil. I very much enjoy the shading process of a drawing and prefer to draw black and white because I think it's much more dramatic and mysterious. Hee hee.

Your art is so unique with the twisted touch as well as gory theme yet adorable illustration to it. What attracts you to this theme?

I do actually love everything horror, sometimes inspired by movies, comic books or folktales. I think creepy things can leave an emotional impression longer and cause a sensation which can keep intriguing a person. And I do love visualising my works metaphorically or symbolically, so it leaves a scary impression on people.

For a few years now you've been selling some of your characters as paper dolls that the buyers can assemble themselves. What inspired you to make these?

When I was preparing for the Art Market event in Jakarta, I was browsing to find inspirations—for example on Pinterest. Then I found a jointed paper doll whose joints can be moved and was instantly interested to create my version of a paper doll. It just so happens that I also love designing characters. In the end I made paper dolls with their own background stories. Up until now, there are a total of 3 characters of paper dolls that I've made.

Aside from paper, you have also tried your hand on wood boards and sculpting. Was there any obstacles you found particularly challenging? What did you learn from the experience?

The obstacles in using new media is, of course, the patience in facing all sorts of trials and errors, because I learn everything myself from the internet. Although it looks easy but, apparently, in practice, well, it really drains your energy. Even now I'm still keep on finding out and learning all kinds of techniques to create a new artwork.

You've been involved in several group exhibitions with other Indonesian illustrators before. How did these usually come to be? Would you ever be interested in holding a solo exhibition?

Usually I get an offer to participate in group exhibitions from my friends, who are also artists, or from connection who I met through social media or art events. Of course I am very interested and very much willing to hold a solo exhibition, maybe the time and chance have yet to arrive. Just wish me luck. Hee hee.

Your works have been sold at events abroad as well. How do you think is this experience different from when you sell your works in Indonesia?

I don't think there is any significant difference, it's the same.

What does the future look like from Wickana Laksmi Dewi?

Never think about it, what matters is 'the now.'

If an amateur/newbie illustrator comes to you for advice, what would you tell him/her?

Find as much inspiration as you can, keep on creating and find your own style!

A little note from me

Gory and horror are the things that comes to mind when I first look at Wickana's artwork. Even when nothing scary in particular seems to be on the paper, it really gives off a creepy impression that will surely leave the faint-hearted with nightmares. Wickana uses her materials well with a technique that accomplishes this deep impression on the viewers' minds. Her use of black and white and the way she shades her characters really gives off a spooky vibe, which may or may not come alive once you turn your head away. The huge, prominent eyes as well as the victorian-themed clothes and accessories also remind me of those porcelain dolls, which often appear in horror films as being possessed by a violent ghost. Sometimes the element of surrealism is enough to send chills down my spine, as it is portrayed in such an eerie way that nags at the back of the mind. Her works are like a puzzle, ready to be solved and it captures not only the eyes of the viewer, but also the mind.

Instagram || Blog || Behance || Twitter 

Stealing Time Between Rains

Does any of you still remember Tasha? If you don't (or at least don't remember that she's been on the blog before), here's a little something to jog your memory. The other day—which was around 2 weeks ago—we decided to meet up again after almost a year of not hanging out with each other. It's not like we haven't tried, but as you grow older it just gets a whole lot harder to meet up with friends anymore—even the ones you just started to get to know. She asked to meet up at Epicentrum Walk. It's (again) one of those regions that I almost never venture to but I'm glad we did. The place looks so much like Singapore instead of Jakarta. It felt like we were being teleported to another country in the blink of an eye. Some parts of the area looks quite deserted, but—with a change of perspective—can still look photogenic. It was raining on and off all day, though, so we stole some time in between downpours and looked for a nice location indoor. An update on Tasha, btw: last time I said she was a blogger but now she's more of an Instagrammer and Divina who hung out with us last time too is now a quite well-established Youtuber, so the next time we see each other again it'll be one heck of a meetup ;)

Sis's top // drsv pants (giveaway!) // old loafers + macramé purse // photos by Tasha

On to the outfit: I swear I didn't mean to wear exclusively batik pants when I meet up with Tasha. It just so happens that I rediscovered the love I had for this pair around the time that we were about to hang out. These pants—as I've mentioned before—was won at a giveaway held by drsv. I didn't choose the colour or the pattern—and I think each piece looks different—but now I'm learning again how to love it. Before, I thought it could only be worn one way, but, boy, was I wrong. This top is one of those items my sister hoards but never wears. It looks like such a comfortable piece for pregnant women—no, I'm not one of them at the moment—and I think it makes me look a bit motherly. Tasha, on the other hand, wears a more monochromatic look with minimalistic patterns and textures. It suits her very well and makes her look much more urban than I do. You can see her outfit shots on her instagram. What do you think of our looks? And have you ever had an outing with blogger/online friends? Do tell!

P.S: Tried out snapping shots in RAW and I love how easy it is to edit!

July in Overview

Excited about...

Freedom, finally! June has been hell. July has been nerve-wracking. August shall be good. Next month is wide open. Nothing is set in stone yet, so that's good. My grandma asked me to come by and visit her. And now that I have a license, I might actually be able to take her places, no problem. Aside from that, one of my friends will be getting married and I'll be helping out a little. I'm so excited about that. Mostly, though, I'm just going to chill and enjoy my freedom.

Currently reading...

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. One of the most emotionally raw pieces I've ever read. This was recommended by Oprah back in 2004 or so. I tried reading it three times but never really got through the first few pages. The language is rather strong, so I wouldn't recommend it to the faint-hearted. However, if you can look past that, I think this would be one of the best books you'd ever read. It is highly educational too, teaching me all about addiction and what an addict might actually think and feel about his/her condition. In a culture where talking about such things is taboo, I think this book really brings up what must be addressed.

Currently listening...

The Broken Podcast. I've been absolutely obsessed with Pewdiepie lately, but sometimes I feel his videos are edited in such a weird way for me and could physically hurt my eyes and ears (sorry, Pewds!). That's where the podcast comes in. It's a collaborative project between him and CinnamonToastKen. It's way more chilled and feels more real and intimate than their regular videos. I love seeing their friendship and could literally listen to them talk about gaming, youtube and life in general for hours. It's been on hiatus since April, though, so now I'm just waiting for an update. Please come back soon!

Thinking about...

Creating special something for various people. July has been one hectic month, despite the lack of classes. August will present more chances for me to do things that I really want to do—and to do them for other people. There are some illustrations I've put on hold to be a gift to some of my friends, some that I've thought about doing just now and some that I want to do to connect with other people. If you want me to make you something special too, please don't hesitate to ask.

The gang reunited again! // Firu turned 23 this year ♥︎ // Eid mubarak to those who celebrate // simple breakfast by yours truly // lemon tea is how you judge a café // 6th anniversary with my only one ♥︎ // hanging out with Tasha again // catching up with Ervina after a year // Comic Frontier 7!