I was away, travelling for most part of this week and it was really a refreshing trip. Initially, when I started this blog my intention was to post drawings and writings in a travelogue format, assuming that I'd answer the call of my wanderlust more frequently. But over the last many months this hasn't been so and to keep the blog alive and foster some kind of creative exchange I joined the IF bandwagon and boy, what a thrilling ride it continues to be! Apart from the cool new art one gets to see on a weekly basis, I also enjoy the opportunity to interact with some really talented folks on the blogosphere :)
Anyway, I travelled to a small town in southern India to attend a friend's wedding (above is a invite I designed for him sometime back)...This obscure town is famous for being the birthplace of Adi Shankara - an 8th century Hindu philosopher, poet and mystic credited with the revival of Advaita school of philosophy. Advaita essentially means non-duality and is like a grand-unified-theory of Hindu philosophy that sees all of cosmos as a whole and the changes in apparent reality as only a temporal experience of flux in consciousness.
This metaphysical take is immensely engaging and unlike religion, which often becomes dogmatic, metaphysics allows limitless questioning to discover and experience the true nature of reality without getting entangled in symbols that are often a mere suggestion for an abstraction.
I really wanted to spend more time sketching but the weather was nice and the waves along the beach were too inviting. Here's another quick drawing - of an abandoned truck with its load of sand being reconquered by Nature. It is quite amusing that while human attempts to conquer Nature are often laborious and ostentatious, Nature's way of getting back is so effortless and subtle.
25 comments:
I like this invitation card. I think your style is perfect for that. Fantastic colors and lines. And I like the pattern too. I wish i was there, in an indian wedding: it must be unforgettable.
the invitation is so beautiful and I love the sweet, knowing look the happy couple are giving each other, your friend must have been totally stoked with your design.
Love the other stunning drawings too, the truck is so wonderful and I love how nature does that so quickly, I am always amazed how plants manage to push their way through tarmac and concrete.
congratulations for your friends!
very nice drawings of your tryp,
I love the forest-truck
I just love the painting of the truck, just wonderful.
wow , this is so fun to see your travels documented in such great pics, wow, what talent! I love the wedding invite too, and how they are looking at each other is so cute!
I so enjoy the feel and the animation of your work.
"allows limitless questioning to discover and experience the true nature of reality..." - this delight is captured in the knowing "glances" of your couple - all "discovery" for each.
So pleased that you visit APOGEE Poet.
i like the truck sketch, actually i think it's a finished painting! and the accompanying text is beautiful. :)
Glad to be back here again! :D Wonderful illustrations, my favourite is the truck too :)
the invitation has a great look,
and so nice truck!
Fascinating read! It has been such a pleasure to "get to know you" via the blogosphere as you say...and through IF. I find that your posts are rich with wonderful imagery and content. Glad you had such a great time away..and how lovely the invitation was for your friend!
the invitation card is especially delightful!
Ha, there is a tree coming up through the pavement near me which I am rooting for...heh, rooting for. I am right with you on the sympathy with nature as so handsomely rendered in your illustration.
absolutely intriguing text and illos! i have now bookmarked your blog!
amazing stuff...these beat documenting a trip with photography any day!
I really like the truck taken back by nature!... reminds me of pictures from Pripiat!
Thanks for the illustrated tour!
Cheers!
(and I totally agree about the IF ride)
Uau my friend, this is wonderful... Can I ask how you did the truck?
Sounds like a great trip. I love travel artwork so much more than travel photos. The extended time one has to use to do the drawing can give such a different perspective on a scene. They're observations more than frozen images. Sounds a little like Advaita philosophy, actually. Anyhow, lovely!
Great invite! Works well. This truck is really cool. You have a way of putting your self into these machines that I find is very charming.
oh! so nice text and drawings!...and a bit jalouse of this sunny trip! :)
I love that truck. Your drawings make me want to pack up and go to India.
>Tomás,
When I get married a few years from now, consider yourself invited for a colorful Indian wedding :)
>Amy,
Plants are tougher than we imagine them to be. Real survivors!
>bar LA PIBA,
Gracias!
>Jason,
That's only a quick watercolor sketch...you scare me by calling it a painting.
>thewillowsnest,
Thank you!
>RoseMarie,
The feeling is mutual. Thanks for stopping by :)
>theenigma,
That's a sketch...I would consider what you do as paintings. Thanks for the encouragement!
>Gavin,
Good to see you back here!
>jmanu,
Gracias amigo!
>Shirley,
Pleasure to know you and your cool art too.
>Asja,
Glad you think so.
>ArtSparker,
Yeah! Go tree! Go!
>Ellen,
That's so kind of you.
>michael,
I like photos too, but I enjoy the organic feel of sketches better.
>Emily,
Pripyat has a gloomy aura because of the human tragedy too...this seemed more carefree.
>Roger,
Gel-pen drawing and a quick water color wash.
>Voz,
I too think there's more of one's own personality in sketches than in photos.
>R.Dress,
Thanks for that insightful comment. I really like how you've put it.
>CATI,
The weather is mostly tropical and actually, I ought be envious of the Mediterranean sun over Iberia.
>steve,
You should come and visit India. It is once-in-a-lifetime destination.
Your invitation is lovely and your illustrations amazing. You have such a free style - I'm very envious.
Yes, the wealth, beyond matter, that can be found in India. Beautiful pieces.
These are really nice! You could illustrate a travel book!^_^
>Nicky,
You are being too kind. Personally, I'd like to see more fluidity in my sketches.
>Nicola,
Well said. The thoughts that originated in India are its most splendid riches!
>Moro,
Surely, someday when I go globetrotting :)
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