One of the orchids I bought during the pandemic was Paphiopedilum tonsum (Rchb.f.) Stein, although initially I was also unsure if it could grow in an apartment without a balcony, with lighting only from the window placement of the pot, but I was intrigued by its beautiful, elongated, round-shaped leaves with a unique dark green mosaic pattern. After a while, buds finally appeared and it bloomed. It turns out the flowers are very beautiful, light greenish-yellow with variations of blackish-brown lines and dots. The central petals are egg-shaped, widening at the top, and tapering at the end. Finally, I was inspired to paint the beauty and uniqueness of this P. tonsum.

P. tonsum is one of the beautiful slipper orchids found in the North Sumatra region, with a somewhat large habitus, including its fairly large flowers. P. tonsum is one of the terrestrial orchids. This orchid has great potential as an ornamental plant.

From observing the subject, documenting, finding references, determining a good composition, and choosing the medium, I faced many obstacles and challenges, especially for workers like me who always feel short of time for research and other things. I included this artwork even though it wasn’t selected because it wasn’t fully finished, just to get feedback from the jury about the artwork. In the end, with all the limitations, when I could feel peace while working and admiring the beauty of the slipper orchid, P. tonsum was completed.