Starting from the pandemic period, I bought several orchids, even though I wasn’t sure if they could grow in an apartment without a balcony, with lighting only dependent on placement near a window. But because I wanted to please my sick mother-in-law’s heart, I decided to buy them. There was an article I once read that besides looking beautiful, indoor ornamental plants also have several other benefits, one of which is improving mental health. Although there hasn’t been strong research on it yet, green spaces can make the heart calm and peaceful.

One of the orchids I bought was Coelogyne celebensis J.J.Sm, which is one of the native orchid species found only in Sulawesi. Its wide oval-shaped leaves tapering at the end caught my interest for painting, especially after it bloomed. The beautiful white flowers, with brownish lips, give an elegant impression. C. celebensis is classified as an epiphytic plant (a plant that lives attached to the trunk of trees), and because of its limited distribution and endangered status, this plant is protected.

There were many challenges from observing the subject, documenting, finding references, determining a good composition, choosing the right medium, to making mistakes during the artwork process, which led to a long hiatus. I remember the message from my late mother-in-law, “Just take a step and finish what you have started.” Finally, amid busyness, this artwork was successfully completed.There is still much to be learned, but I am grateful that it was completed. Overall, the beauty and elegance of C. celebensis remind me of a dancer’s pose.