Comfort – a constant variable

Since I am super excited about returning to India, let me start this year with something desi. This is a painting done last year , when I wanted to paint from one of my photographs to see how a painting differs from the photograph, to observe the view through the lens and through the canvas. Also , painting portraits and realistic human forms , along with landscapes , that’s a completely new challenge for me – it is painting what the eyes see and what the heart feels , unlike my other paintings which were products of what the mind and heart see and feel .

It’s a scene from the Shivaji market , Bangalore.  Amidst all the chaos and the hustle-bustle that is typical of any Indian market, here was a guy who slowed down time for me . He looked so comfortable, and relaxed, maybe even a little high , reminding me yet again how little it needs to be comfortable .

Wanted to capture these feelings on canvas. This being only my second painting , it was very intimidating and challenging . Am happy with how it turned out in the end.

Here’s the photograph – https://priyashasharma.wordpress.com/photography/img_6024-2/

The chronicles of Barcelona – Part I :-)

So this entry has been long due.

Came back from Barcelona completely hungover on Gaudi , Picasso, the sea , and all the love this city radiates.
For us, travelling in Europe has always required some amount of planning (since we always want to use only public transport, not waste money /food / resources, eat vegetarian food, observe and learn, not rush things but rather soak in cultures and the tiny details of any place ); as against in India where all we needed to do was book our train tickets in advance . The cost of impromptu journeys is Massive here , and results in a lot of guilt if  aimless wandering is involved. This trip however saw minimum planning – no campsites researched since we were staying in a hostel, no camping gear prepared, no food/utensils/ spices packed since we were flying with only cabin baggage,  no research on local festivals/ culture / art – went ahead with just the excitement of Picasso, Gaudi, the sea and the unknown.
This was also the first time we took a flight here in Europe, and it has weighed down heavily on our conscience for we firmly believe that our wants should not be fulfilled at the expense of nature. And hence we do not intend to do so again. We constantly struggle with this criterion every step of the way in life – food, shelter, clothing, knowledge , our dreams. We aim to restrict our wants to our basic needs, and to live simply and mindfully

A letter from Bruce Lee to his future wife.

One of the highlights of this trip was my accidental interaction with a group of elderly gentlemen on the very first day at Plaça de Tetuan. I love conversing with and observing old people; they have so many stories to share, so much wisdom to impart. I generally have a lot of fun with them. This particular group of gentlemen was playing what they told me later – a french sport called Petanque. They were all extremely friendly, very keen to share details about themselves, telling us more about the sport, so very curious about us, and quite excited about posing in-front of the camera 🙂 They were  very warm people, so warm that my eyes are welling up as I type this.

Pétanque balls

all smiles

and the winner is ..!!!

I requested ‘ say cheese’ , they shouted – whiskey’ 🙂

architecture with a purpose

Plaça de Tetuan

One very interesting thing was this magnet which they were carrying so that they did not have to bend to pick up the balls, I think its extremely smart and thoughtful.

I do not see elderly people play sport in India, i wonder why.
To be around fun old people feels to me like being around kids . I took a lot back from this experience, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside 🙂