I haven’t posted a watercolor sketch for a while, so today I thought I would share one that I did that has special meaning to me. For years Cambodia andspecifically Angkor Wat was on my husband’s and mybucket list of places to see. When we knew we were going to live in Hong Kong, we knew our wish would more than likely come to fruition! Since it can be rather hot there, we thought a trip over the Christmas holiday would be perfect time to go.
I can’t explain my affinity for Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. I have always been drawn to the textiles, the food, and the culture. Visiting Cambodia was an amazing experience for me. Angkor in the provence Siem Reap, is one of the most important archeological sites in Southeast Asia, and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area stretches nearly 250 square miles (400 km squared) and consists of the ruins of temples that were the different capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
Between Cambodia being colonized by the French in the 1860’s when some french explorers would export artifacts from these temples back to Europe, and the takeover of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970’s which led to the devastating Cambodian Genocide, the temples have withstood the years of abuse, and neglect and are still marvels to see. Restoration work started in the 80’s and 90’s and many organizations have come on board to protect and restore these important sites.
On a side note...
I am donating 20% of the sales on my web site's print shop to the relief effort for the Typhoon in the Philippines this month! There are a number of prints and note cards to choose from. And if you subscribe to my email list on my site, you would be eligible to win a giclée of you choice. Drawing is Sunday, December 8!