A different sort of creativity, today. I paint, at times, so here are a couple of my paintings that were inspired by my trips to India.
This one is of a door on a house in the North India state of Bihar.
And this one a more impressionist rendering of doorways, arches and windows.
Although writing has always been the primary medium through which I have tried to express my thoughts and feelings, it was my first trip to India, 28 years ago, that persuaded me to try to paint seriously. Although I have done little in recent years, I still dabble on occasions, and suspect that it is only a matter of time before I begin work on a new painting.
Wonderful, loved them both. Could I play Oliver Twist and ask for more.
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Thanks, Mukul. Yes, you can indeed! I’ll post some more in a week or two.
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You are a wonderful artist.
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I have an idea, if it does not appeal to you, please use the Bin. What if we do an exhibition. I could take photos and you do the paintings of quaint doorways/doors windows etc.
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I think that could be an interesting project. Let me look through what I have and email you in about a week (I’m a bit busy the next few days).
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I was thinking of a long window, to be ready till September 2016. my email is chandmukul@gmail.com
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Great, Mukul. I’ll be in touch.
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wonderful, have a nice day.
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Those are great paintings, Mick. I’m no art expert but, to my untrained eye, they have a great sensory quality. They draw the observer in and suggest the tactile qualities and even odours of the scenes depicted. Just as a good story should!
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Thanks, John. As a painter, I consider myself a colourist, so what you say makes sense (and is also gratifying!). And I do like to put the reader’s senses to work when I write.
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It’s wonderfull that you soo patiently clicked all these..😊👍
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Thanks, Neethu.
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Wow! These are amazing Mick. I think you should continue painting.
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Thank you! I’m sure that I will.
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The second one is from Calcutta? Lovely paintings. This is one art I could never accomplish anything in! 😀
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Thanks, Himanshu. The second one is an amalgam of lots of views in Delhi, actually, but it certainly could be Calcutta. The stonework is a similar colour to (for example) the Nakhoda Mosque. Finally, I always say that almost anyone can paint or draw, they just need to learn how to.
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The script you’ve painted in is Bangla, so I made the logical leap. I wish I could but paintbrushes hate me; they refuse to go where I want them to! 😀
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Ah, I wonder where I got that from? I do have a box of pictures and cuttings of all sorts to use in paintings, and I must have used something out of that. Since it doesn’t try to represent an actual location, I wouldn’t have bothered about that sort of accuracy.
Have you tried speaking sternly to the paintbrush? I find it sometimes works…
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I’ll try that! 😀
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These are beautiful. I think you should do more!
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Thanks, Monica. I probably need another visit to inspire me!
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I’m impressed with first painting – blue door! It reminds me of the doors in some parts of Uttarakhand state where the doors are painted in a slightly lighter, yet dark shade of blue and rest of the building is all white (pretty similar to colors in Island of Santorini and Mykonos in Greece). Never knew you loved painting…I’m sure its quite satisfying!
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I’ve never been to Uttarakhand, Arv, at least, I don’t think I have. I’ve always wanted to visit the valley of flowers, and Rishikesh, but so far it hasn’t happened. It does sound lovely.
Like many things, painting is satisfying when it goes well. Otherwise, it can be most frustrating!
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Mick, I am in love with Himalayas and my first experience was some 15 years back…and its been great traveling there on every available opportunity..I have been to both Rishikesh and VOF, loved each of them for different reasons! I guess you should visit these places too!
I’m not a art connoisseur…but loved painting immensely in my school years, so yes there is some affinity, still!
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I know exactly what you mean about being in love with the Himalaya. As well as my trips to India, I have been to Nepal 4 times and am always hoping to get a chance for another visit. Every now and again when i think I ought to take the opportunity to visit a new country, I usually end up thinking no, it’s time to go back for another visit to India or Nepal. I guess I’m hooked!
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On one of the trek one “Pahadi” (person belonging to mountains) person said..Himalayas are like an insect, once the bug bits you..you want to come back!! I find it true!
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It’s very true, yes!
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🙂
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Real talent, Mick. I love both of these.
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Thanks, Stuart.
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How long you have been to India? Kolkata is one of my favourite cities.
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I’ve been about ten times. Twice to Kolkata.
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Great, I liked the picture you took over Maidan. Many western travellers come and post about the dirt and beggars, whereas those do exist in their own country. But your pictures are more close to the city.. I like that.
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Thank you. That is obviously still quite a large part of life in India, but, equally obviously, there is far, far more to India than that. If that was all there was, I wouldn’t be such a frequent visitor!
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They’re fantastic!
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Thanks, D. And thanks for dropping by.
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Your paintings are lovely, Mick! I really love the colours – they are just as I imagine India to be 🙂
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Thanks, Helen. When I’m making a painting of somewhere, I think it’s really important to try and convey the feel of the place. As John mentions above, it’s much the same as I would do if I were writing.
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Yes, I paint too, and I often think of writing as painting with words…
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More hidden talents! Nicely done Mick.
BTW I’m putting something up a little different on my latest post too; photography with a twist…
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Thanks, Dave. I’m quite intrigued – gonna catch the next wave over and take a look.
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I love the impressionist painting—feel like I’ve been there! And thank you so much for stopping by (and following!) my blog.
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Thank you! The next stage will be to read your book on India; having read a review, that’s what drew me across to your blog.
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Wow! I do hope you like it. We are heading back next month for another India adventure.
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Now I’m jealous.
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I like both of these, particularly the the one of the blue door. It’s very good, certainly much better than anything I’ve ever done. The last time I tried painting a door, I accidentally got some on the handle.
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Thanks, Bun. You could have a go at this one, there’s no handle on the outside.
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That sounds like the perfect door for me. Incidentally, when you finish painting a picture of a door, do you put them in a door frame?
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No, just a picture of one.
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Ah, that makes sense.
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Wow, nice paintings. It’s impressive.
Have a great day!
Arcane owl
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Thanks, Arcane Owl, and thanks for visiting.
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Welcome 😉
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You paint very well! I look forward to seeing more of your work in your posts, if that’s possible!
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Thanks, Ann. I’m sure there will be more.
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Beautiful. I hope you’ve taken up painting again! It’s a peaceful, creative break when the writing needs to rest 🙂
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I shall have to at some point. At the moment the writing rather occupies most of my available time.
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I love the painting of the door! The color is just fantastic! Are they oil or acrylic?
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Thank you. Those ones are both acrylics.
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