Sunday, September 6, 2015

A Way of Life





Embracing The Ephemeral India 2014-15 Moleskine Japanese Album(large) Sketchbook By Meera Rao  

"The real voyage of discovery consists not on seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes"
Marcel Proust. 

So here is whole book in all its glory :) I am very pleased with the way my second sketch book from last year's India trip turned out. Took me a while to post them!  Ever since four years ago when I decided to keep a sketchbook/journal while I spent time in India each summer taking care of my mother-in-law, I found life and surroundings reaching out to me in generous ways.  The daily vignettes I sketched and painted helped me remember more than what I saw every day with my new 'sketching eyes' ! The sketches are not perfect - I found remembering a quote from Salvatore Dali : "Have no fear of perfection, you will never reach it!"  let me just enjoy the process! 

The format of the Japanese album let me decide how many panels to devote to each idea as I sketched along.  The cream color of the paper did not bother me but I did not like the feel of the paper- it did not take watercolor washes well. My first sketchbook from last year was a smaller Moleskine Japanese album which I posted from July 29 2014 to November 30 2014 in my blog. This year I used Strathmore mixed media journal with 140lbs watercolor paper for one sketch book which I will start posting once I get back to US.  I hope to fill up a second book this year - a multimedia 340 gm USK Sennelier accordion book -- may be then i can decide whats the best sketch book for me or my favorite way to sketch :) 


10 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh wow, Meera! That's wonderful! Take it straight to a publisher, please! I want a copy! I love that Proust quote... the most exciting, magical things are right here in front of us, but we just have to see them with all the potential they possess! Yep! Your work is magical, my friend!

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Katherine!!! I will get to it once I get back home :) Meanwhile trying to complete another sketch book or two here .

Sadami said...

Congrats, Meera! What a wonderful job you've done!!! Let us graduate from the addiction of perfectionism. I want to draw like a child. Sketching is a great joy and good comfort for me between illustration or studio work. I go outside to refresh myself and lift me up by sketching. Best wishes, Sadami

Meera Rao said...

Sadami, thank you! your words always cheer me up :)

Heera said...

You have captured such beautiful scenes Meera! So festive and colorful.

thiliMy said...

It looks absolutely fantastic! Nice job with the Diwali lamp store!

Meera Rao said...

@Heera, Thank you ! Capturing a colorful festive season makes it easy :)

Meera Rao said...

Thank you @Thilymy :) you made my day :)

Haddock said...

like those paintings, and the way the panels are folded.

Meera Rao said...

@Haddcok, thank you very much :)

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