Ismail Mat Hussin is celebrated for his depiction of traditional activities and themes that revolve around the rural community namely fishing, moon-kite flying, market scenes and pounding rice. A protégé of Khalil Ibrahim, who also excels in watercolour and batik painting, Ismail captures the agricultural life of rice cultivation with watercolour on paper here. His works are a testament to the rustic life evident in his choice of colours and subject matter. Ismail Mat Hussin was an artist who kept true to batik painting until his untimely demise in July 2015. His interest was kindled during weekly art painting classes under Nik Mahmood at Padang Garong Malay School in Kota Bharu from 1954 to 1955, and he was also a protégé of Khalil Ibrahim. He became a fulltime artist in 1968 until he started work as a graphic designer and illustrator with Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu from 1979 to 1991. With a Grade V in the playing of violin, he also worked as a part-time musician with Radio-Televisyen Malaysia in Kota Bharu from 1965 to 1967. He was also a member of Angkatan Pelukis Semenanjung Kelantan and Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan. His works are in the collection of Galeri Petronas, National Visual Arts Gallery, esteemed corporations and private collections locally and abroad.