One morning while living in Bali, I woke to the sound of heavy rain crashing against the rooftop. My husband and I had somewhere to be that day, so despite the weather, we set off on our scooter.
The streets were completely flooded, and as we rode through the water, I was mesmerized by how surreal and beautiful the narrow roads looked, almost like something out of Ponyo. What could have felt chaotic instead became strangely charming.
Balinese people are incredibly skilled drivers, and that day it felt as if everyone moved together like a school of fish, flowing effortlessly through the flooded streets.
I was especially captivated by the view from the passenger seat, with time to take in all the small details around me. The arts and crafts shops looked particularly enchanting in the rain, but one place stayed with me more than any other: a small shop filled with metal bird sculptures and a calm man observing the street.
The scene lodged itself so firmly in my mind that I eventually had no choice but to draw it.
