Monday, April 18, 2011

Drawing Fire

Delicate Dance  watercolor on Yupo

Last summer we enjoyed many Calla Lily blooms in our garden. This past week, I finally got around to painting one on yupo sheet many times before I was satisfied.  It was a tremendous learning experience to try out different colors and varying backgrounds simply by repeatedly painting and washing  off  until I settled on this rendition.  I am experimenting using only washes and water for texture. 

I borrowed the title of the post from a series of articles in New York Times  by Michael D. Fay. On June 6 2010, in the introduction to the series, NYT explains:  'In 2005, then Chief Warrant Officer Michael D. Fay traveled to Iraq in his capacity as official Marine Corps artist. There he fought with Marines engaged in Operation Steel Curtain against insurgents along the Euphrates River, and documented the events in sketches, photographs and audio recordings. Mr. Fay describes that experience here in “Drawing Fire,” to be published in five consecutive parts this week in Home Fires. It is based on material from his memoir, “The War Artist,” (earlier drafts appeared on his blog in January), and includes artwork and photographs from his time with Marine units in Operation Steel Curtain.'  His accounts of the war and the accompanying sketches paint the horrors that is deeply riveting and moving. Check out his blog 'Fire and Ice' and also the Joe Bonham Project, where you will find more sketches by 'group of illustrators dedicated to recording the faces and experiences of America's returning wounded warriors.'  Kandhahar Journal  has sketches and accounts by war artists in Afghanistan.  The artist soldiers give a different picture of the war. 

10 comments:

Crystal Cook said...

Beautiful work Meera. I love the fluid look of your drawing and the paint on Yupo. The bright colors are gorgeous too.

What an amazing inspiration for the title. I can't even imagine sketching images of a war. That's courage!

Meera Rao said...

thanks Crystal! I was frustrated in the beginning but as I washed and painted it again and again, it was a wonderful learning experience!

aipi said...

Great work- Bright- vibrant n stunning!
US Masala

Meera Rao said...

Thank you very much @aipi ! Always very glad to read comments for my post :)

Thaikaden said...

Wonderful 'FLAME'. Best wishes.

Meera Rao said...

Thanks @ Thaikaden.

Kathy Staicer said...

You are getting so good at using the yupo paper. How nice that if you do not lke it you can just wipe it off and start over.

Meera Rao said...

Kathy, Thank you! Yup - thats yupo for you :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful painting!

Meera Rao said...

Thanks @Novice artist :) I really appreciate your comments!

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