Meet Rensi Ardinta

Welcome to the Roar Meet the Artist Series for 2026! At the start of the year we sat down with our roster of artists and asked them a lot ( A LOT!) of questions and they were lovely enough to take the time to answer as many as they wanted so you the reader could get to know them and their practice better.

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Hi Rensi, thank you so much for taking the time to sit with me and chat about all things art, career, business, and you! So, let's get started.

Hi, I’m Rensi Ardinta, a visual artist from Indonesia. I began creating art and taking on illustration projects during my college years, however, I took a long break to help run my husband’s business andI returned to my art practice in 2021.

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Roar: When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to do something related to drawing. Back then, I wasn’t exposed to the idea of being an artist as a profession, so I planned to become an architect! But once I discovered that graphic design was a career path, I realized it was the closest profession where I could draw a lot, so that’s what I decided to pursue in university. 

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Roar: Tell us about the journey to get to where you are today?

Studying Graphic Design at university has had a strong influence on my artistic style. I’ve wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember, and being surrounded by so much talent has only pushed me to explore and develop my art even further.

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‍Why did you want to be part of the Roar Next Gen roster, what do you hope to gain from it, and what is your one goal from being with Roar?

I see joining Roar as a chance to grow not only creatively but also professionally, learning how to share my work with a wider audience and collaborate with inspiring brands and publications. As an independent artist, I find it difficult to reach the right clients or know how to approach those opportunities. 

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Show us your working space! Do you have a studio, or do you WFH?‍

I have a small studio at home, it’s not very spacious, but it works for now. I usually draw digitally on my iPad at my desk, surrounded by walls filled with inspiring images from other artists. There’s always a cup of coffee nearby, and let’s be honest, snacks too, pretty much all the time…. (Roar: same Rensi, Same!) And of course, music is a must. On the opposite corner of my desk, I have a spot for painting. It’s just a wall with a trolley stocked with acrylics and supplies, and it can get pretty messy. That being said, my favorite place to draw on the iPad is actually the sofa in my living room. Sometimes I keep the TV on, not because I can truly multitask, but just for the background sound. It creates a relaxing atmosphere somehow.

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Tell us a little more about how you work

I always begin with a quick, rough sketch on paper or an iPad, but before that, I usually have a vague idea or hazy image forming in my mind. From there, I create several sketch variations, exploring different compositions and directions before choosing one to develop further. I’ve found that having multiple rough options early on is essential. It helps streamline the process and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth later.

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If you use any tools, programmes (think wacom, tablets etc) tell us a little bit about that, how it works, how they help you work, and just a little about the process etc. 

For my digital works I’m using an iPad and Procreate for the program. Sometimes I do sketches there instead of doing it in my sketchbook because it’s easier and more practical.For manual drawings, I’m using acrylic for coloring and canvas (or canvas pad) for the medium.

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How do you prepare for your working day?

I wake up early to prepare breakfast and pack a meal for my daughter’s school day, after that, I take care of the household chores. Once everything is done, I can finally start working in my studio! This is usually after lunch, giving me a solid stretch of time to focus until the afternoon. Then, after my daughter goes to sleep at night I often continue working for a bit more.

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Do you have pets 

I have a cat named Marble. She was a stray. 

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Least favourite subject matter to draw

Buildings? I’m not that good at perspective. 

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Favourite subject matter to draw

Women (basically humans figure) and flowers. 

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How has AI impacted your career (if at all) and have you changed your approach to the way you work because of it? 

It hasn’t affected me directly yet, but I have a feeling it will soon. A friend suggested that I start showing my face more on social media and share more of my creative process, so people can see that my work is genuinely made by me and connect with the person behind it. I think it’s a great idea, and I’ve been trying to put it into practice lately.

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What would you want to say to anyone who thinks that AI is a harmless tool?

I wanted to believe that this person might not fully realize the risks AI poses for artists. and even for life more broadly. Maybe they don’t understand that AI systems are trained on artists’ work without permission, which can be categorized as theft. It’s hard to imagine anyone knowingly justifying something like that, unless they’re comfortable copying and pasting other people’s work themselves.

Roar: Here, Here! Agreed 100% 

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Who is an art director that you appreciate?

The creative team in JICAF (Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair) especially Sunny Gho and Yoga Prathama who have trusted me to do a very interesting project alongside incredible artists a couple of years ago.

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How did you handle your worst client experience?

I try to communicate calmly, because approaching things with intense emotions usually doesn’t help resolve anything

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What other artistic mediums motivate you?

Music has always had a strong emotional impact on me, it often inspires me and nudges me to create. This is especially true when the lyrics resonate with my own life experiences.

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Who is your dream client to work for?

Any fashion brands actually! 

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What would your dream commission be and how would you approach / tackle it if it ever came to fruition? 

When a client trusts me to explore the execution, while still providing clear boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.

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Do you have any words of wisdom, or advice for those in their career?

Since I’m new myself in this career path, perhaps I just want to offer my encouragement for everyone that wants to become an artist; stay true and be honest, someday you’ll find your audience.

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If you were not an artist, what do you think you would be doing? 

I’d be a pastry chef!

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Do you have another job other than the work you do as a commercial artist and do you think this helps or hinders your professional practice?

Sometimes I’m still involved in my husband’s interior design business, where I help with the creative direction. It’s helped me improve my communication with clients and taught me how to work under deadlines.

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Share some artists that you think we should know about

@witchkana @studio.komo from Indonesia

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What's your earliest art memory of why you wanted to become an artist? 

When I was a kid, I had a Sleeping Beauty book from Disney, and I would often try to copy or even trace the drawings because I admired them so much. I think that’s when I was first drawn to art. 

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What is your favourite way to decompress from your work and can you tell us a little bit about your version of work/life balance?

I attend yoga classes three times a week and try to stay consistent, since it really helps reduce stress. Being an artist can feel lonely at times, so meeting friends every couple of weeks is important for me. I also find that visiting art exhibitions is a great way to refresh my mind.

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How many drinks do you have on your desk at one time?Just one cup of coffee at a time will do!

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Have you ever felt imposter syndrome, and what do you do to fight those thoughts? 

So many times!I usually talk to my husband about it, and most of the time, just letting it out and hearing a few words of encouragement from him is enough to help me bounce back. He’s my rock!

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What fictional character do you relate to and why?

Sophie Hatter from Howl's Moving Castle;  initially timid and invisible but then she grows into someone who challenges both her circumstances and her own self-perception.

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If you had to suggest a book (or more than one) that helped you in your career what would it be and why? 

I’m not much of a reader, but I’m currently reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, and it’s already giving me a lot of insight and encouragement as an artist.

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Tell us your favourite:

Films: Interstellar, Seven, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Howl’s Moving Castle

TV show: Modern Family, Black Mirror, Brooklyn 99, Mindhunter

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What do you listen to when you work? 

Most of the time I like to listen to more soft and comforting music, like Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Cigarettes After Sex, Sufjan Stevens etc. But sometimes I also listen to more upbeat alternative rock like Hindia (an amazing band from Indonesia) if I want to uplift the mood. 

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Share your favourite recipe or if you're not a cook, maybe your favourite takeout? 

Great Depression chocolate cake recipe  

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Country you would love to visit 

Most countries in Europe actually!

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Show us three pieces of work, you can pick from:

Exciting project, something I am most proud of, and personal project that made you learn more than a commissioned project could do. 

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Any last thoughts for the readers? 

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I’m going to quote from Rick Rubin’s “A Creative Act: A Way of Being”. This one hit the hardest. Lol

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‘Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not.‘

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Something you've been itching to draw but have not had an opportunity yet

I’ve always wanted to draw more animals and explore patterns. I’d be absolutely thrilled to work on a project like that!

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What is something you feel people should know earlier on in their career? (something Uni/College/Life didn't prepare you for)

You should gain real work experience as soon as possible, whether in an office as an intern or through freelance projects. It will expose you to real-world situations and give you a steep learning curve with valuable knowledge.

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Favourite snack?

Something savory and spicy like Cheetos flaming hot, but I also enjoy something sweet like a slice of banana bread or chocolate cake.