Friday, December 21, 2012

Seeing and Drawing

India Art Journal  Oct 6-9 2012 by Meera Rao 

"The good drawings I do are hardly mine. Only the bad ones are mine for they are the ones where I can't let go, am caught in the Me-cramp"
~Frederick Franck in 'The Zen of Seeing - seeing/drawing as meditation' ~

I came across the book "The Zen of Seeing" a few days ago in an used book shop in DC.  I sat and read it for a while at the store totally fascinated by how he saw drawing as meditation and ended up buying it so I could read it slowly and digest the philosophy.  The book  published in 1973 is handwritten "....because in a way it is a love letter, and love letters should not be typt- set by compositors  or computers. It may be a little slower to read, but there is no hurry, for what I want to share with you took a long time to experience."   I needed to hear that "A drawing is not a thing but an act."  - especially when a  sketch or two or more in my journal seem to taunt me with its misread proportions and perspective! 


India Art Journal Oct 6 2012 by Meera Rao 

There are vendors walking the streets calling and selling any number of things in the course of a day -every day.  This particular vendor definitely was special in the way he balanced a wedge of watermelon on top a whole round one ! There is a sense of zen in the scene. 

 India Art Journal Oct 7 2012 by Meera Rao 

This huge water tank is right around the corner and I passed this everyday running my errands. When I finished the sketch I realized that lopsidedness in a way shows how I saw it -looking up, my head tilted as I sketched :) Somewhere in the book Frederick Franck says : In seeing/drawing that which matters can be perceived through the senses, not denied but maximally affirmed." 

 India Art Journal Oct 8 2012 by Meera Rao 

Coral wood or Manjhati tree (Adenanthera pavonina)is spectacular whether it is laden with the yellow delicate blooms or the curved spiraly split open hanging pods with its bright beautiful shiny red bead like seeds.  Being in the presence of these magnificent trees brings to mind a line from Tagore poem : "Be still my heart, these great trees are prayers."

India Art Journal Oct 9 2012 by Meera Rao  

The last sketch in this page from my journal celebrates life! I was fortunate to participate in the joyous occasion of 'cradling ceremony' of my cousin's 10 day old grand daughter.  The cradle was decorated with gorgeous bright beautiful silk and gold brocade sarees and colorful flowers. The ladies sang melodious songs, made sure to ward off all evil eyes and everyone gathered showered blessings on the baby who slept peacefully through the noisy bustling ceremony!  

The following are sketches from the page that were done aug 7-10. As in the beginning I was posting only the full page and not individual sketches,  I am here giving them the attention they deserve :) I wrote about them  on sept 1 2012 in the post : Vibrant and Compelling

India Art Journal Aug 7 2012 by Meera Rao 

India Art Journal Aug 8 2012 by Meera Rao 

 India Art Journal Aug 9 2012 by Meera Rao  

14 comments:

Kathy Staicer said...

Beautiful thoughts and wonderful sketches!

padmaja said...

Just goes to tell me how when an artist is also a keen observer can evolve with in no time, hope you make "daily life" series of paintings soon from your fabulous sketches, Meera, wishing you a lot of love and peace in the year ahead!

Introverted Art said...

And you see beautiful colors my friend. Just beautiful.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Kathy :)

Meera Rao said...

Padmaja, thank you :) I hope to too and I am coaxing me towards a goal and a schedule and some discipline !

Meera Rao said...

@Introverted art, Thank you!I am so tickeled that you like it :)

Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

beautiful color combination and nice paintings

happy xmas and newyear

thanks for sharing

ashok said...

wow! very cool!

Meera Rao said...

Krishna, Thanks! Its a pleasure to share now that I get so much back from that simple act :) Happy New Year to you too!

Meera Rao said...

Ashok, very pleased you feel that way :)Thank you very much!

Sadami said...

Hi, Meera,
Wow, you're a philospher that makes me ponder about art. Thank you for blogging and sharing wonderful work. Furthermore, you've supported me and encouraged me. Merry Xmas & Happy New Year! Wish you a health and a fruitful 2013!! Let's enjoy art.
Best wishes, Sadami

Meera Rao said...

Sadami, thank you very much - that feeling is quite mutual :) happy holidays and wishing you a wonderfully creative 2013!

B said...

Happy new year meera. Loved reading all your thoughts. All the best for the year ahead

Meera Rao said...

Thank you B, I really appreciate your visits to the blog and your comments :)

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