Friday, July 9, 2010

Lost in Notes

Melody Meditation watercolor 12x9"
I did a detailed sketch of this musician on a full sheet of watercolor paper and it has been waiting to be painted for a couple of months now. Before that, I sketched him on full sheet of drawing paper trying to work out the composition. But I am still hesitating to start the painting. So a few days ago to shake off the reluctance, I did a fast and loose watercolor of just his head in under an hour to see if I can capture his 'lost in notes' expression.

I saw and heard this musician one late night on the streets in India last year as he played his instrument along with a host of others in a procession. They were all accompanying a parade of people taking a icon of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god to be immersed in the lake after a month long festivities. I was impressed by his total immersion in the music even as he was in the middle of huge noisy street jamboree. Indian music traces its origins to the vedas and is seen as the pathway to reach higher consciousness. He seemed to embody how music touches the heart and elevates the mind.

22 comments:

V. Deshmukh said...

Hi,
nice painting. good flow of colour and thanks for the comment.

Art Trip said...

Nice one Merra!

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Vinayak and Art -- I appreciate your visits and comments :)

padmaja said...

Meera, you truly have captured his power of music with that meditative mode of his, it brings to me memories of my grand father who was a great musician, he would always immerse himself in his music as if he was in another world. Such is the power of music.

Meera Rao said...

Padmaja, thank you! --I am happy the painting brought back memories of your Grandfather. I have always been in awe of musicians who get lost in the music they are creating.

Nutan said...

Loved the way you have handled the watercolors. Very nice.

babu said...

Catch the expressions of the audience too....would be intresting.

Great capture of the modd this one.

Unknown said...

Nice study, captures the thought very well. The painting is special because blues are very difficult to handle.

Anonymous said...

Nice observation.. and equally nice detailing of the musical instrument and the person. I agree with what you said about the meditation part in music. When you have that level of concentration and are able to block out everything else, music just flows!

Meera Rao said...

Thanks Babu! -- yes, it would be interesting to capture the audience too. Often at a concert I sketch --but usually backs of the heads of the people ahead of me-LOL!

Thank you very much Rajeev. It is exciting when the colors seem to flow from the brush!

@ Nikhil, thank you! I guess thats what is called 'in the zone' :)

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Nutan -Glad you like it :)

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

I like the energy in this image. Just found your blog and enjoyed going through it. Enjoying your photos, art and journey.

Melanie Statnick said...

This is so great! i love this style of art.

Teresa said...

You succeeded in capturing his look of "lost in the music". Great, loose painting!

Meera Rao said...

Thank you, Maria, for spending time going through my blog-- I really appreciate it! It has been really fun and special to share my blog :)

Thank you Melanie, Your comment is special since I so often am full of doubts about my art journey.

Teresa, Thanks :) I have enjoyed painting it and now sharing with my blog friends :)

V. Deshmukh said...

Thanks so much Meera

Anudeepa Kadiresan said...

Background color and the technique you used is good Meera.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Anudeep!

Heera said...

You caught the expression so well. I like your painting.

Meera Rao said...

Thanks Mangala :)

B said...

Meera,
Such intensity...I think i see a departure from ur usual style..but may be wrong...

Hows summer going

Meera Rao said...

B, Thank you. I am trying to get to know the values before I paint and hope it will become second nature soon.

Summer so far is very hectic - out of town weddings to attend(3 so far!), trips, guests, children home(with their dogs!), garden to weed and water, lots of cooking -- not enough time for painting/blogging- but enjoying full busy days :). Hope Summer is treating you well too!

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