Singapore — Genting Highlands has welcomed a new resort. And the Best Western Premier Genting Ion Delemen, located in the rainforests of Genting Highlands, is not your usual theme park getaway. It instead offers a lush, nature-filled respite, with a view of Titiwangsa Mountain Range. No surprise, then, that the resort’s ambience and decor is similarly soothing — with motifs of Genting’s natural elements and landscapes represented in the rooms by Malaysian artist Peisy Ting.

“There is the nature side of Genting that most visitors tend to overlook — the expanse of the rainforest, the flora and fauna and all the wildlife that live there,” said Ting, who was first approached for this project after a chance meeting with Best Western’s executives at trade show Malaysian Gift Fair in June last year.

“Botanicals and nature have always been a substantial part of my art, hence it wasn’t too difficult for me,” says Ting, who has launched a line of quality hardcover sketch books under her Tiga Artistry line. She recalls Genting being a favourite getaway for many Malaysians like her, growing up in Kuala Lumpur.

“Going to Genting Highlands for the cool air was always fun as it entailed a bit of a nice shock to your system,” she said. “Occasionally, we would go up for a show or concert on a short weekend getaway, and having a group of friends and family to gather around for a nice piping-hot steamboat dinner in the cool weather was quite an amazing feeling.”

Q: What was it like working with a big brand like Best Western, and what do you hope guests will feel when they see your work in the resort?

A: I was very excited about the opportunity. Best Western International is a global brand, and getting a vote of confidence from them will help establish me as an up-and-coming artist from South-east Asia, so I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity. Through my art, I wish to bring the natural surroundings of Genting Highlands into the rooms, and by adding my little whimsical sense of style to give the rooms a little dash of colour and life, especially during those days when the weather is quite misty and grey. To have one’s art displayed publicly is always a great feeling, and I always hope that my work is appreciated and gives a little boost to the hotel’s customers and even the employees.

Q: You left your job in advertising to pursue your passion for art two years ago. How has that journey been?

A: I would say I slowly transitioned out of advertising. I moved to freelancing, then gradually weaned myself off to eventually become a full-time entrepreneur and artist. I launched Tiga Artistry on Kickstarter in June last year, which was quite successful as I became the first Malaysian to raise over RM100,000 (S$32,500) using this crowdfunding platform. This success gave me a new level of confidence — seeing over 700 people from 54 countries back the project was very gratifying. However, the journey from a secure full-time job to relying on yourself is not for the faint of heart; it takes a lot of perseverance and energy to keep moving forward.

Q: Being a nature lover yourself, where are your favourite places in Malaysia to go for a retreat?

A: I am a beach girl at heart. Fortunately Malaysia has some of the most beautiful islands in the world — Redang, Perhentian, Lang Tengah … just to name a few that I have visited. I have also been to Janda Baik in Pahang and Sekeping Serendah in Selangor; I loved the natural surroundings with an expansive view of the rainforest, which I always find so therapeutic and serene. I’d definitely go back there again. Serene Lim