Participating in trade exhibitions is a journey of both discovery and growth. After my first successful exhibition, I jumped at every new opportunity, with the World Trade Center being the first of many. By this time, I had started to think more deeply about where my Batik paintings could be applied, and bags quickly became my first love. There was something so personal and functional about them that appealed to me. I threw myself into creating Batik paintings of different motifs—fish, birds, flowers, animals, and even characters—and applied them to bags made from thick materials I had carefully sourced.
It was an exciting yet challenging process, as I managed to create around 30 bags in a relatively short time. The real joy, though, came from seeing people’s reactions. When they appreciated my work and were willing to pay for it, it felt like a validation of my passion and effort. But as I continued to do more exhibitions, one after another, I realized that not every interaction is about making a sale.
The true fun of these events is in interacting with buyers. Some people might be captivated by the artwork and the creativity, while others might simply walk by without a glance. Not everyone connects with art in the same way, and that’s okay. I learned that some are not into art at all, while others might not find the aesthetic appealing. But each experience adds to the richness of being an artist and entrepreneur—whether people love your work or not, the energy of being in the marketplace and sharing your creations is rewarding in itself.
Here are my initial artworks and sort of first collection.
