Down & Out :(

I haven't been in a happy place lately. As an artist being unproductive is one of the worst things that can happen to you. Though there has been no dearth of inspiration, but I have just not had the enthuisiasm to work. A sense of inertia has kept me away from my brushes and paints. And whatever little work I did has not been satisfying.

Perhaps the change in the situation has gotten to me, perhaps the lack of direction has left me feeling lost. But whatever be the reason, the output has surely suffered. If any of you have been through a similar predicament, I'd love to hear from you. For I believe that shared experiences lead to shared growth and learning.

On another note, this blog turns 3 next month! And I'd obviously like to do something special to celebrate.... any ideas, dear readers? Maybe your funky suggestions will help get my spark back! :)

Kashmir Diaries

Don't know why I have been thinking of the Kashmir valley a lot lately. Perhaps the searing heat of the plains makes me subconsciously think of the cool environs of the valley, with the majestic Himalayas in the backdrop.

I visited Kashmir many years back, when "terrorism" was a totally unfamiliar word, and one visited the valley only to figure out what earned it the name 'Paradise on Earth'. I was too young to remember the details of the breathtaking beauty, but some images stay with me till date. Today I bring you two of them...

One was of the colourful shikaras lined up on the Dal lake. Bobbing cheerfully on the edge of the lake, with their typical name placards and the boatmen calling out to us to take a ride.

Waiting Shikaras - charcoal and acrylic

Another was of the flower seller going from one houseboat to the other in his little boat, handing over a fresh bouquet to each, and exchanging pleasantries with the regular customers. I was so awed to see this unusual way of selling that it stayed in my memory.

The Flower Seller - mixed media

Alas, I have never been to the valley thereafter. I remember reading somewhere that the houseboats and shikaras can no longer be seen on the Dal, as security issues override tourism concerns. The price we pay is too high sometimes....

Full Moon Night

As I stood at my bedroom window one night with the lights turned off, this was the sight that greeted my eyes. Lush crops in the farmer's field looking almost purple in the inky night, while a buttery yellow moon hung low in the sky.

It was such a beautiful scene that it just had to be painted. Sometimes simple, everyday events that we take for granted convey so much beauty; only if we take the time to pause and stare.

Cucumber Art

This one is for the kids! When I shot a cucumber up close to catch the design hidden inside, it reminded me of something else altogether!

So the cucumber turned into a peacock with some help from MS-Paint. :)

Just one of the fun things you can use to keep the kids engaged during the summer vacations!

Poppy Splendour

Last month my old neighbourhood was full of poppies, bobbing their pretty heads in the spring breeze and turning into the sunshine. So I had to do a couple of poppy paintings. Here is one to brighten up your day...

I love the cup-like shape of the poppy flowers and the way their petals turn. Isn't their orangey-yellow such a happy colour! Another picture to show you my work up close.

Really enjoyed working on this cheery piece. Hope to grow some poppies in my garden next spring. :)