SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2026

ARTIST: Carella Ira
COUNTRY: Indonesia
CONTACT: instagram.com/carella.ira
Carella Ira is a mini illustration studio by Ira Carella, alongside her work running a brand design agency. Carella Ira features warm and whimsical paper art inspired by vintage paper dolls from her childhood. Each piece of her artwork is meticulously handcrafted through a combination of watercolor or digital painting, intricate paper cutting, and mixed-media techniques.

Fairy Tree

This artwork is part of a series inspired by my son's drawings. Earlier this year, he made lots of cutout drawings of houses and covered my studio wall with them. I then transformed them into paper doll artworks, creating imaginary creatures that live in the whimsical world he designed.
A house can represent the self and symbolize different aspects of our personality. The first piece in the series, "Fairy Tree," is especially personal. It features a cozy house beside a towering tree where fairies live together in harmony. Inspired by our family name, Rimba, which means "forest" in Indonesian, this piece reflects what I believe to be one of the most essential parts of a family: harmony.

Castle On The Move

This piece is part of a series inspired by my son's drawings on my studio wall. This time, it features a sweet, candy-like castle on wheels inhabited by cheeky little creatures. This whimsical house reflects the sparks of joy in life, the unexpected sweet turns, and those moments when we allow ourselves to be free, playful, and full of wonder.

Teacher Khun Kob Portrait

One of the exclusive portrait commissions I created this year was for Teacher Khun Kob of Tanya Samui. It was a gift from a group of Indonesians who regularly connect with the Teacher. The piece incorporates iconic elements of Tanya Samui to capture the serene atmosphere of the place, including the Tanya Oil, the washing basin, the iconic naga statue, and the cascading waterfall.

Jolie Series

For years, I created paper doll characters and portrait artworks featuring people and animals. This year, I decided to try something different by bringing everyday objects to life. Inspired by my lifelong love of vintage and beautiful everyday treasures, I created "Jolie," which means pretty in French. The piece features a collection of charming vintage objects, reimagined as living characters. The illustrations were later translated into a series of jelly stickers and bookmarks.

Berry Boo

Meet Berry Boo, a cheeky little girl with a strawberry spirit, sweet, tangy, and full of curiosity. You'll often find her buried in books, learning about the world around her. Bold enough to explore the unknown yet gentle at heart, she's a reminder that the sweetest adventures begin with curiosity.

Tea Spore

Tea Spore combines the coziness of teatime with the quiet charm of woodland mushrooms. Wearing her mushroom cap and carrying a tiny teapot wherever she goes, she's the kind of friend who invites everyone to slow down, enjoy a warm cup of tea, and appreciate life's little moments. She reminds us that kindness, like mushrooms after the rain, has a way of quietly growing and spreading.

Walnote

Meet Walnote, a tiny woodland musician who wears a walnut cap and never travels without his beloved lute. Every tune he plays drifts through the forest like a gentle breeze, encouraging flowers to bloom, creatures to dance, and strangers to become friends. His songs are a reminder that kindness and music are languages everyone understands.

Summer Bloom Series

Inspired by the vintage paper dolls I adored as a child, this summer series celebrates the simple joy of dressing up, collecting little treasures, and imagining stories. Each paper doll is paired with an artificial flower, turning it into a keepsake that captures the warmth and lightness of summer.

The Nutcracker Ornaments

During last year's Christmas season, I gave Carella Ira's signature paper doll bag charms a festive twist by designing them to double as Christmas tree ornaments. Inspired by the classic Nutcracker story, I created five characters: the Nutcracker, Clara, the Mouse King, the Tin Soldier, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. The collection was released just like Carella Ira's other customizable bag charms, allowing customers to choose from a variety of hairstyles to personalize each piece.

Fire Horse Hongbao

Since 2021, designing personalized paper doll hongbao has become one of my favorite Lunar New Year traditions. Every year, I reinterpret the Chinese zodiac through characters that feel warm, playful, and approachable. For the Year of the Fire Horse, I wanted to preserve the horse's bold and passionate energy while giving it a cute, friendly personality that reflects the joyful spirit of the celebration.