Ishwar's Virtual Home

I recently finished one of my most personal works—a self-portrait titled “Lighting of All That Is Imaginary.”

In it, I’m holding a lighter, but the flame transforms into a tree—my take on the Norse world tree, a symbol that connects life, death, and imagination. I used watercolour, Prismacolor, and ink pen to bring it to life, layering texture and movement to capture both emotion and flow.

Most of the portrait is purple, including my skin tone—a choice inspired by my colour theory experiments. It gives the piece a surreal, dreamlike quality that feels both intimate and otherworldly.

Some people see it as a burning spirit. I love that it invites different interpretations, because for me, it’s more than just how I see myself—it’s how I think, feel, and imagine the world around me.