LET ME SKETCH YOUR FACE: Putu Ebo, a cartoonist from Bog-Bog local cartoon magazine, sketches a journalist's portrait during the Asian Beach Games in Sanur on Tuesday. (JP/Dicky Christianto)

Among all the merchandises on offer during the Asian Beach Games, which runs until Oct. 26, the Games committee has provided journalists covering the event with a unique souvenir.

Some cartoonists are hired to sketch the journalists' portraits for free.

In order to do that, the organizing committee has coordinated with cartoonists from local cartoon magazine Bog-Bog, a local term for lying.

"This is how we appreciate the journalists covering the events. We want to give them unique presents, something that will make them remember this event later on,"Wayan "Janggo" Paramartha, project officer from Bog-Bog magazine, told The Jakarta Post Tuesday.

Paramartha, who is also a noted cartoonist, said four cartoonists had been assigned in two different shifts. The cartoonists are on standby each day at the Games' media center at the Inna Grand Bali Beach, Sanur.

Aside from offering cartoon sketches, the media center has also provided relaxation massage chairs for anyone who is interested.

"The response has been beyond our imagination. Dozens of people have offered themselves to be painted by our cartoonists. This is great," he said.

Maximilianus Agung Pribadi, a journalist from Jakarta, acknowledged that initially he was not aware that there was a cartoon sketching service for journalists.

"Therefore, as soon as I found out, I decided to offer myself to be painted by one of the cartoonists,"Pribadi said.

"To me it is worth more than the usual merchandise as the painting has a personal touch."

Although the cartoon sketches are free, Paramartha said, the cartoonists were still paid by the committee.

"Due to ethical reasons, I can not reveal of how much we are paid. But I can say that we are receiving quite reasonable fees here,"he said.

Putu Ebo, one of the cartoonists on duty Tuesday, said the cartoon sketching was actually part of the cartoonist's campaign to familiarize people with cartooning.

"That is why we also sketch out other people portraits even though it was initially only dedicated to journalists covering the events,"he said.

Putu Ebo said he had sketched around 50 people, mostly officials and journalists, so far.

"They include some police officers wanting their portraits to be painted by us.Well it's all fun,"he said.

Jayakody Arachchige, Sri Lanka's volley beach manager, who also had his portrait painted, said he was so pleased with the painting that he would display the cartoon in his office.

"It's unique and I will put it in my office so that everyone can see," Arachchige, adding he was a first timer to Bali.

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia