To achieve a rich variety of hues and textures, I employ several techniques. Some rice grains are carefully roasted over low heat for 2–3 hours, creating distinct shades and textures. Additionally, color is introduced by delicately washing the rice with watercolor, using colored thinset, or layering parboiled rice over a painted or colored surface.

Thinset or acrylic gel medium serves as an adhesive, securely bonding the rice to the artwork’s surface.  When incorporating colored thinset or applying color beneath the rice, I specifically choose parboiled grains for their translucency, allowing the underlying hues to shine through and enhance the artwork’s depth.

These meticulous techniques contribute to the creation of vibrant, textured compositions. Recently, I have been exploring new ways to push the boundaries of rice as a medium, seeking to harmonize the grains with different surfaces, textures, and mark-making techniques.