With captivating colours and skilful play of light and shadow, Ismail Mat Hussin’s watercolour paintings are intimate and tell the story of the lives of people from the East Coast. Intensely personal, his compositions are concerned with documenting the complex techniques of producing craft, paying tribute to the local artisans at work. Ismail displays his skill in presenting different textures executed in detailed strokes. Ismail Mat Hussin was adept with watercolours which he learnt from school teacher Nik Mahmood from 1954 to 1955 and later Khalil Ibrahim although he is better known for his batiks. He was also a musician, with a Grade V music certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music (London) and worked part time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu. He became a graphic designer cum illustrator for Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu, from 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia as well as the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni).