Leet Gallery

D'Omah - Yogyakarta

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:07:33 PST

pool in front of our room

During the Ied festive holiday, My family and I decided to visit mom’s relatives who reside in Yogyakarta, a province located in Central Java. Yogyakarta, known as the cultural centre of Java, is governed by Sultan Hamengku Bowono X, who is the current King from Yogyakarta Sultanate, a heredity Monarchy that has reigned in Yogayakarta since hundreds years ago.

My sister in law decided to book a hotel called d’Omah Hotel in a rural village of Tembi, about twenty minutes from the lively Yogyakarta. Since we live in the metropolitan Jakarta, we thought perhaps it would be quite refreshing to stay in the country for few days.

It’s been years since the last time we visited Yogyakarta, and we see not much difference apart from the traffics. People are nice and humble, you will find people with smiling faces just everywhere, something that is hard to find in a city. Thus the saying that smiling is contagious is very true here...

We hesitate as soon as we set foot in the hotel cause its main entrance is nothing different than that of Rumah Joglo, the name of Javanese traditional house. The road in front of the hotel just like a path along the paddy field. However, as we move forward entering the lobby, we are pampered by the artistic décor, a mix of earlier times materials with colorful fabrics. With the sounds of gamelan and polite greetings from the employee who actually native people from the surrounding rural area, we knew that this is the right hotel for our holiday.

The hotel entrance

authentic construction - the earlier traditional house

This hotel more like villas – the rooms are separated into clusters. Each cluster consist 2 to 4 rooms with one swimming pool located in the centre of each cluster. Three of the main areas within 3 clusters are the very old building – where in the past used as local government office. The furniture, work of art and all details are private collection from the owner, the artist Warwik Purser, the Australian born who has been an Indonesian nationality for decade.

The first room offered to us is located just a few steps from the lobby. The room is quite space with traditional Javanese furniture and design. The bathroom is interesting; half part is open space with huge bird cage with many plants inside the cage. There is also a well, an old well which has been there for ages. Although the room is interesting, but the idea to keep a well inside the bathroom is not a fancy thing for us. We have to pass that honeymoon suite….

Luckily, we found rooms that suitable for us…

D’Omah hotel is really offer an interesting experience to stay – feel like in rural with 5 stars comfort …

backyard

natural plantation area

morning greetings by peacock

trees that has been there for ages

The Making Process

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:27:55 PST

Sometimes we really need to finish what we have started to see the result. If I had given up, I would have missed the satisfaction feeling when I see the final look of my accomplished work....So here's the 'rerun' of the process that I documented...

Aaggrrhhh.... this is my 3rd sketch and it's still far different from the photograph, let alone the real person. It doesn't look like him...

I don't bother to do another sketch... ;-(

Can't be bothered to revise the sketch... So the show must goes on... paint it on...

hhhmmm.... at least I start to see his figure, though still needs some retouch - add some colours for some contrast will probably do the magic...

Hah... at last... the closest one to the photograph.....

Now...need to start working over the background...

With CNBC logo, dancing woman, all red, adding yellow..... it's not easy...and it's a time consuming process- I keep forgetting the colour that I am using and keep replacing it just by try and error..... This one is background no. 4

After 5 times keeps changing background, I think this one quite suits the portrait. Besides, it is something red, as what's requested.

My Boss

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:58:58 PST

oil on canvas, 30 x 60 cm

Finally I could finish this painting pretty much in a right time during my hectic schedule within this extraordinary project - so I have something to give for Christmas....

Present

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:23:39 PDT

oil on canvas 60 x 40 cm

Present for one of my business partner in Singapore

World Heritage

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:48:55 PDT

This is perhaps my second or third times I mentioned about batik here, but I don’t mind writing another information now, because on the 2nd Oct 2009, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially admitted batik as an Indonesian cultural treasure. Furthermore, it is listed as a world heritage from Indonesia.

Batik & its process of making

Batik terms came from Javanese words “amba (to write) nitik (dot)” – that was then and now is read as batik. It describes the process of how to paint point by point on fabric (normally made of pure cotton, polyester rayon or pure silk) using special liquid called ‘malam’ or wax-resist dyeing. Materials such as rice paste are also employed to prevent the dye from penetrating the covered areas of the fabric, thus creating a pattern in negative – by using canting (a wax writing instrument – a small, thin-walled, spouted, copper vessel which resembles the bowl of a pipe) to apply hot wax by hand.

The process continues by adding additional wax to embellish the design or preserve areas in the color of the initial dye bath. The cloth is then dipped in a second dye bath. This process is repeated a number of times depending on the number of dyes involved. Producing a high quality of batik fabric is time consuming, complicated and requires a high degree of skill. The longer the process, the more expensive the price of batik is.

Historical

Some said batik originated from Majapahit kingdom era and it was for the king family’s fashion and then continued to the Mataram Sultanate era in Central Java. Therefore, places like Jogjakarta, Solo, Pekalongan, Rembang, Semarang, Tegal in Central Java are famous of batik production.
Javanese traditional batik, especially from Jogjakarta and Solo, has special meanings refers to the Javanese conceptualization of the universe. Traditional colors of indigo, dark brown and white represent the three major Hindu Gods (Brahma, Visnu and Siva). This is related to the fact that natural dyes are only available in indigo and brown.
Batik then widely spreads to other areas such West Java such Cirebon, Garut, Ciamis, Tasikmalaya, and also East Java such Madura, Ponorogo, Sidoarjo. However, batik then becomes public fashion, some areas in Indonesia also produce their own unique patterns of batik.

Batik origins that quite famous

Batik Jogjakarta

Jogjakarta is known as the heart of the batik art. Some patterns are symbols that related to Hindu-Javanese culture. The uniqueness of motifs comes from a number of large geometric designs. Each motif has a meaning and can only be worn in the special occasion based on the meaning of batik’s motifs.

Batik Solo

Also known as Batik Surakarta. Pretty much like batik Jogjakarta, some motifs are also influenced from the Hindu-Javanese culture. Every pattern drawn has their own meaning, such wider stripes or wavy lines of grater width indicated higher rank and nobility.

Batik Lasem

Lasem is located in Rembang, which lots of home industries produce batik can be found. Batik from Lasem mostly comes in two natural colors. The red one is very unique because the color is produced by ‘manggis’ fruit. The motifs usually dominated by animals such variant of birds.

Batik Pekalongan

Famous of so called batik pesisir, literally means coastal batik. Batik pesisir pekalongan is quite famous with the Dutch motifs and Chinese motifs, with soft gradation in color.

Batik Madura

People classify batik Madura as seashore batik, and characterized by motifs most about life and environments, such birds, butterfly and flowers, with hints of Chinese art. The colors are bold and clear represented the battle of Madura’s people to reject domination of King fro Java in the year of thousand and six hundreds. The color is also represented the attitude of consistency.

Batik Cirebon

Historically, Cirebon has two kingdoms, Kasepuhan and Kanoman Kingdom, and based on those two kingdoms with a touch of Chinese culture, influenced most of batik Cirebon motifs. The characteristics of batik Cirebon are the base color is lighter than the line from the major design, most decorated it with special cloud motif called mega, and use single thin line with strong color.

co worker - part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:59:20 PDT

My hilarious friend at work...

Present from ouli

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:41:12 PDT

I finally received a birthday present from Ouli - a present that she tried to create for me since ages ago... First she paint a portrait of me, but she's never finished it. A year later she told me that she made another sketch - different media... but never heard anything from her about the progress. Up until I met her last week - she gave me an origami - a portrait of my family. Me, my husband and my future daughter. She predicted I will have a daughter... someday.... Though it was few months late.... or perhaps years but I appreciate it since finally she could finish her work... and I love the present.

Origami is a traditional japanese art of paper folding without cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper per each object.

...and oh...she also suggested the name of my future daughter... Zuleyka....

Reisya & her work

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:50:05 PDT

Reisya is my older niece who just turned 5 this August. She just loves drawing - and can't stand to see empty spaces and papers without her signature. They are no corners and wall sides at home without her touch. Her parents regularly rubbing the wall which are full of her drawing - colorful crayons and markers.

Below are her drawings which could stay on the wall - only in her room...

the ugly duckling

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:18:31 PDT

water colour on art paper, A4 size

I was helping my mom to clean my parents' house last weekend when I found this painting - my early days painting when I was in junior high. I duplicated it from my favorite book, a compilation timeless story tells by HC Andersen, classic...

The story related to the picture was about the ugly duckling, a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his neighbors until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a graceful swan, the most beautiful bird of all. A simple yet lovely tale about personal transformation for the better - somehow taught me never underestimate people around you...

Unfortunately I could only find one painting amongst several that I did that afternoon after school, 25 years ago... well approximately... and not lucky enough to find the book

my lovely parents

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:18:41 PDT

Mom was in her mid 30s and Dad was around 40
Painted by a local artist in a small area around Jepara, Mid Java
....long...long time ago...

Does love at first sight exist? ... Well it does...
Dad never had a girl friend until he met Mom
They met through friend at work.
Dad was a young engineer and Mom was a legal staff.

When Dad saw Mom's smile for the first time,
he knew that he found the love of his life...
They married 6 months later...

....Dad died two months ago, and really...
...only death do they apart...

Love you both...

I Miss You ...

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:53:22 PDT

I lost my very best friend almost a month ago...
my best friend who taught me so much, I could never say all…
who stood by me whether I was right or wrong…
who just proud of me even for my small achievement…
who always protected me… loved me…
and he is my father…

He died while taking a nap. It was a sudden for us but very peaceful - because I could see him smiling. He had no sickness nor felt like he was dying… doctor said it was a heart attack…
He surely never gave us any burdens and no hustles…
I miss him so much… more than I can say…

Sometimes I feel it was not right... He supposed to watch my children grow... attend his 40th wedding anniversary with Mom that we have planned… But I believe more than anything that he is safe and happy in his new place…

As long as I’m living, you will stay in my heart…
I love you Dad…

What a small world

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:14:54 PDT

I don't know how many times I heard that phrase since internet & mobile phone concord the world. Years ago, when checking email become one of my daily activity, I started connecting with friends from university, and obtain new friends & contacts from network.

Then blog came along - adding new friends from around the world, and easily share thoughts....

Now facebook, won't even believe who I will meet there - friends from elementary, junior, senior, universities, clubbing mates... ;-) to people I would love to know. And I could be updated with their activities at anytime without asking...

Award for my blog - Award for my busy days

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:53:35 PDT

Hello my blog…. Hi my lovely bloggers friends….
Miss you so much…..

First of all thank you for Artist Unplugged for giving me Friends and Sisterhood awards, very sweet of you – I love it. She is a very talented artist, consistent and has lots of beautiful collections – I recommend you to visit her blog. Amongst her paintings and sketches, the one that I like the most is a housewife hanging cloths, the color is simple & soft but so real. Really sorry that I won’t be able to pass the award to my fellow bloggers at this time…

Second of all - After weeks or perhaps months where I couldn't be able to enjoy life as I should be - I took a short holiday to Bali. Enjoying beach and culture so much.... especially watching kecak dance on the top of Uluwatu cliff – during sunset…. Beautiful scenery…. Paid off…

A copycat

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:51:09 PST

oil on canvas, (60 x 40) cm

While one should always study the method of great artist, one should
never imitate his manner. The manner of an artist is essentially
individual, the method of an artist is absolutely universal. The first
is personality, which no one should copy; the second is perfection,
which all should aim at.

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

The Collections

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:29:46 PST

My post this week

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:48:42 PST

pencil on art paper, approx. A4 size

...I don't have things to share, but I have to post something. Lucky I found the sketches that have never been posted here.

Two sketches when did portrait was impossible for me...long time ago... So both looked on the other side of the paper :)

Indonesian Art Crafts, Becak

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:18:23 PST

I would like to buy souvenir for my ex coworker who live in Germany – but wonder what things from Indonesia he hasn’t got yet. Then, I came across wooden ‘becak’ miniature, well done handy craft with smooth texture and curved. By the look of the material, I believe the art is typical Javanese art forms, which famous for its teakwood crafts. The price is about $10 – mind you, this is a gallery where stuff is sometimes overpriced, i.e. more expensive than buy it from the artist directly… then I wonder, how much the artist would get in return…

Anyway, about becak - it is a traditional transportation. I don’t know what is in English but perhaps similar with rickshaw but the driver sits behind the passenger, and operates it like cycling a bicycle. Hardly to see becak in Jakarta, in fact Jakarta is becak free – well, the excuse is becak is no longer match with metropolitan city. Some also say it is violating human rights… Whatever people say, I just love it…

After purchased it, I found another miniature in the other store. This one is made from silver, and expensive. This kind of art craft is usually from Sulawesi or Kalimantan Island.

Dear Eliot and Finnegan

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:44:24 PST

pencil on art paper, approx. A4 size

It's a new month... new sketch dedicated for my blogger friend. These two handsome young man are Eli (age 2.5) and Finn (almost 4). They are great nephews of artist unplugged - who kindly sent the picture for me.

Really sorry very late for me to find out your mail - I hope this could be accepted as apologize gift...

Artist unplugged is an artist herself with lots of beautiful painting on her blog. I like the strong colour and theme she picks from what she sees around the city....

... Monday some of us get back to routine whether we like it or not.
I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday, and ready for a new start...
for great results....

Happy New Year 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:48:20 PST

Hi, it's been almost a month - so many things happen, from hospitalised to stucked with routine, meeting, traffic...

30 Dec 08, 17:40

Still in the office after interviewing colleagues of what their expectation for 2009... I am not that well but I need to meet friend who would like to apply for scholarship - to give my reference letter.

31 Dec 08, 11.30
Still tight up with work, and so 21 people from this division who show up today. However, quite relieved, finally I could finish work review & planning for 2009 - though far behind schedule.

14.00
Get ready for home, on the way out my friend show me quite interesting picture. Please take a look closer and pick which one is scarier - then move further back.... can you see the different?

According to Donn - the picture tell that we need to see things from different sides, don't easily judge while only hear one side of the story...

Anyway.... Happy New Year 2009
Hopefully things get better....
Imagine no hunger, no war....

Origena.blogspot.com

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:53:00 PST

Ori is one who like visiting my blog and leave funny comments.
I love her blog which shares lots of interesting things we come across everyday...

Hey Ori... I hope the sketch looks like you :-)

Congrats for a new baby girl

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:39:06 PST

pencil on art paper, A4 size

Ardian, friend at work, and his wife Dewi with a new baby girl Breitta

saturday afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:23:57 PST

crayon on art paper, A4 size each

I spent my Saturday afternoon with Emir & Alex, six grade kids from international school nearby. Both of them also live in the same area with me.

They have a project to analyze 10 people from different background of education and occupation, and interview them related to their job, daily activity, habit and effort to keep up with healthy life.

For 6 grade students, I'm quite impressed with the questions they gave me and how they explained the health issues ...and all in English...

Obama looks alike

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:25:29 PST

Don't u think he looks like obama?
He is my friend at work...
Very calm...
And totally artistic...

in the morning

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:24:41 PST

It's more than a week - don't realise that I've been so busy with work and all things. Here I am sitting on my office desk looking out the glass wall and listening to piana forte opus from my iPod... 5 min to 7 in the morning...

What a polluted Jakarta...

EX - the entertainment centre, nice place for lunch... and expensive...
Empty space owned by the company I work for. It's approx. USD 3000 per sqm- may be more, which is very expensive since located in the centre of Jakarta.
State Condo in a very crowd neighborhood.

Drop off in front of my office building
Won't see this empty in 30 min.

....agh... I have to finish my presentation materials....

thank you

noreply@blogger.com (Leet) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:25:00 PST

It's been a challenging month for me...
Everything turns up side down...
Exhausted!!!
Global crisis effect...???!
Dunno!!!
The good thing is I received my third awards this month, love it... really cheer me up, though I feel guilty haven't made an official thanks...
which I will do it now...

First
Thanks to lovely Kim who gave my very first award about 2 months ago, when my blog was just 1 month old... What a pleasant surprise..
That award energized me to finish my double deckers.

Second
Early this month, Tahtimbo passed the butterfly award to me... Thank you so much...
The Rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Link 10 other bloggers whom you wanted to share this award to.

I am passing this award to 10 coolest blogs:

Third
This week Joanne send me I Love Your Blog award which really made me smile...
Thank you so much...

And the next award goes to 10 lovely blogs ...

I know some of you have received some awards include these two...
But this one is specially from me :-)