I first painted my Island Spirit in Berawa, Canggu BALI 2016. It encompassed this moment in time where I felt like my art career was blossoming in conjunction with Canggu itself. It was a time of possibility and freedom as people, particularly the local Balinese community in Canggu, seemed open to expand. People were curious seeing what a fellow Asian female was doing painting along the street. I remember an older Balinese man skeptically watching the beginnings of my mural and offering his opinion that my color choices were “not natural” and better I paint something more Balinese. Undeterred, I continued doing what I was doing with a prayer that I could make something worthy. I often had the support of two young boys (pictured above), who would come stand by me to watch and make me laugh with their antics (showing off on their bicycles or asking me questions about the paint and color; competing with each other on their English knowledge for “blue” or “red”). Right behind me, Satu Satu Cafe were building a larger and newer location, which has withstood the test of time in the ever-rotating roster of eateries in Canggu and remains popular in 2020. My mural did not age as well, with other street artists adding their mark next to and even on top of mine. I finally decided to give it a newer face as an ode to that time in my life.