SILK painting often requires passion as a driving force for creativity and dedication to the craft.
While technical skill is important, the ability to translate emotions and ideas onto silk requires a deep connection to the art form and a willingness to experiment and persevere through challenges.
Narong Daun, a 55-year-old female artist from Kampung Gerung, Jalan Puncak Borneo, has got all the qualities it takes to sustain a career in the field that is considered expensive due to the cost of silk and equipment.
Known for her intricate and vivid depictions of the Sarawak natives’ way of life and Borneo’s flora and fauna, she possessed a strong understanding of silk painting techniques, including colour mixing, resist application, and steaming for dye fixation.
She had also developed many unique artistic styles, effectively marketing her work, and building a strong network within the art community for long-term success.
Her works in silk paintings had gained recognition and were sold in international markets, implying a level of success and exposure that goes beyond local or regional recognition.
“Having a genuine passion in silk painting has driven me to keep going and sustain this business, especially since I went solo in 2015 till today.
“Passion fuels my imagination and allows me to translate my emotions, ideas, and experiences into unique designs on silk fabric.
“Passion also helps me to overcome obstacles and refine my skills through practice,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
Narong said silk painting is indeed a challenging medium, which requires patience and attention to detail, adding that she has to be persistent to overcome every challenge.
She was aware of the financial burden that she would have to bear when she decided to go solo 10 years ago.
“When I decided to be on my own, I told myself that I must take it seriously because in this kind of art, we may struggle financially due to high cost of equipment needed.
“In this kind of profession, you have to spend first to get it done amidst the uncertainty in its sale.
“Unless there is a request in advance, there is no certainty that we can recover the cost of producing each painting,” she said.
Narong said the go solo means she has to be prepared both mentally and financially not just for it to be done but also to sustain her productions.
“Actually, if you think of doing it to earn high income or become rich, you can’t take this kind of profession,” she added.
Narong said to sustain her presence and products marketability in the industry; she has to have a strong heart and possessed a keep-learning attitude.
She said all throughout her involvement in silk painting, she had been learning and experimenting different techniques, colours, and materials, leading to innovative and captivating results.
Started her artistic journey with batik and evolved into freeform silk painting under the mentorship of Ramsay Ong, Narong’s silk paintings are characterised by their vibrant colours, intricate details, and unique techniques.
Narong said strong self-discipline is also key to stay longer in silk painting.
“Staying too long in this kind of business sometimes make you run out of idea.
“In this field, you must strike when the iron is hot or do it immediately when you find or have the inspiration.
“Not all the time you have the inspiration to do and complete your piece, the same thing happen to me as well.
“When you get the inspiration, do it immediately otherwise the inspiration may just disappear.
Narong admitted that when she did not have the inspiration, it’s very difficult for her to continue because even the colours she apply will not match at all.
She said self-discipline had enabled her to complete the ordered pieces ahead of time.
“If you have self-disciple or 50-50 passion in silk painting, better forget it because you may not be able to come up with a high quality piece.
“I can say I have genuine passion in silk painting that when I don’t do it for a month, I miss it so much,” she said.
Narong said for the ordered painting, she normally discuss with her clients first about the subject matter, the theme and the colours they prefer.
She said after thorough discussion, it was up to her how to sketch the subject matter and compose the colour mixtures.
“That is why in every painting that I do, including the ordered pieces, myself is also excited to see how will it looks like later because I don’t how it will appear.
“To get it started and to produce high quality painting really needs high quality of creativity in our mind.
“When executing my painting, I used to see vision related to the finished painting. The vision comes and goes.
“That is whenever I see that vision and have the idea, I must do it quickly,” she said.
Narong said the time it takes for her to complete a silk painting varies from two weeks to a few months, depending on the dateline, the complexity of the design and the techniques used.
She said smaller pieces like two feet by three feet measurement may be completed in two to three weeks while bigger paintings can take weeks or even two months.
“For the showroom stocks, I normally do it when I have the inspiration. But for the commission painting or ordered ones, I have to meet the deadline given by my clients.
“The time it takes to complete the ordered paintings depends on the subject matter and its size.
“A difficult and a bigger one to do may take at least a month to complete it,” she said.
Narong said the biggest painting she ever done was the one ordered by Waterfront Hotel in early 2019.
She said due to its big size, the painting was divided into four panels, each measuring 12 feet by four feet.
“When joined together, it becomes a 12 feet by 16 feet. It took me more than a month to complete all the four panels,” she said.
Narong said her international clients include art enthusiasts from Florida and Arizona, the United States of America; from the United Kingdom; from Melbourne, Australia; and from Bangkok, Thailand.
She said the painting requested by foreigners were accomplished with different textures, lines, and shapes, often blending Borneo’s indigenous motifs with natural elements like hornbills and orchids.
Now, most of her works are exhibited in her home galleries, which is open for visit upon appointments.
She usually utilises the internet and social media to promote and sell her artwork.
