Time is frustrating. What I mean to say is I move too fast. I held it as a virtue to move with both speed and gumption - get things done as quickly (and correctly) as possible. This not only pertains to art but in other facets of my life too. I have patience - but when action calls on the mobile phone and the hit "Dhoom Kana" from Om Shanti Om starts playing - its gettin' done.
This, however, is not the motto, maxim, creed, or dogma if you will of Indian Miniature painting. The hand must move slow, the eyes must move slow, the brain must move nowhere in particular except to focus on the line or color that is in the process of being applied. Numerous times in the past two and a half weeks I have been asked "Why are you not taking your time?" "This is art, it is precious, there is no hurry" Guruji tells me in slightly more pidgin English with a big smile that emerges from underneath a bushy, Indian anchorman-esque, mustache. This realization has forced me to analyze what I have been doing in the past and what I hold to be high art. I strove to be like Matisse's sketches - three lines and everything that is crucial is explained. The way Zorro would slash a "Z" into his foe's clothes, Matisse, with his dagger pen or brush, would zigzag a figure into a stiff piece of helpless paper. "Break everything down to its bare essentials!" my thoughts cry, "essence is key!"
Well, I'm not so sure anymore. Since I have started learning the style of miniature painting, I have continued my other projects, my hands and various abstract work, and my observation and precision has increased dramatically. The funny thing is I've been drawing horses, cows, elephants, camels, tigers, boars, and men and women. Most lessons consist of copying what my Guruji draws first. The hardest part is to not to compare this to what I learned back home. The thought "What the hell am I doing? I could just practice copying from "Learn to Draw" books and save myself some money." crept into my head for about a week straight. But I have to remember this is not back home. This is India. And this is part of a tradition - and I'm really trying to absorb it all.
Now that all this has been said, during the past couple days I have been learning to use color. This is the aspect of Miniature Painting which I find most incredible. Blending colors on such a minute scale and so efficiently with a process that makes the bold colors stand out for centuries is a feat in itself. But interestingly enough, I have been told here that I'm moving too slowly.
Bwah, jah' what!!
Blending paints together must be done while the paint is still wet and the brush has only a touch of dry color on it. Are you serious? So first it's slow down. Now it's speed up! Oh my goodness is this going to go back to the lesson that both Sara and I have constantly been learning over and over again in India - how to find and create a balance!? I am resigned to this thought, but I'm ok with that. It's more like when you watch a sitcom and the comic relief character knocks over the bowl of marbles...again and the audience goes; "awwwww shucks, saw that one coming". But the lesson is so endearing, that encountering it repeatedly on my travels is very welcome. Just as long as it doesn't involve crocodiles.
And in terms of a more day to day action - things are great. I cook two meals a day at my guesthouse and for breakfast its yoghurt and bananas! I met up with a couchsurfer from Montreal and we cooked dinner together. And tonight, since it is passover - he is jewish so we will attempt to make matzah ball soup out of whatever we can find, although finding brisket in these parts would be rather difficult. Tomorrow I will be attending an Indian wedding and next week a Muslim wedding. Apparently this week is very auspicious in terms of astrology. Woot!
On a final note, to show a slight blending of worlds - there was an article in the NYtimes today about Small Abstract art being really hot right now in NYC - worlds colliding!? Holla! http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/arts/design/19smal.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
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