I have been lucky enough to have holidayed in one of my favourite parts of the world, Ubud in Bali.Thank you to all the special Balinese people I met, especially Leroy, Nyoman and Made and a big hello to Francesca!
Bali is one of those special spiritual places that is so friendly and generous with sharing its culture. I especially love Ubud for its emphasis on the arts and culture and for the attention to aesthetics that is evident everywhere.
Whilst there- apart from relaxing, meeting people, eating great food and (joy of joys), keeping a sketch book, I also bought some traditional Balinese paintings from Leroy K Puspa. Above is the before framing image of these paintings, of 'Ganesh' and the 'Goddess of Knowledge'.
Both are exquisitely detailed paintings that are sadly let down by the heavy black card that surrounded them when I bought them. Black is often thought of as a 'neutral framing colour', yet it is a shade that needs to be used sparingly and with caution in the framing process. It can be very heavy and flat and leech the art work of its life and vitality.
Stay tuned for my solution to this problem and how I still use a dark tone (not black) in the framing process that really helps to elevate these two lovely pieces!
Although I feel I've only scratched the surface of this amazing place, my favourites were; lunch, dinner or coffee at the 'Three Monkeys Cafe', A trek through the rice fields for an organic meal set high above the rice fields at 'Organic Sari', chai at 'Cafe Nasi Goreng' and the best service, food and ambience I have EVER encountered at 'Arys Warung'!!
I can't wait to return to this magical land!
