Miracles in everday life!

Life is beautiful but in a strange way. Just when you start loosing faith in everything good it re-appears from the most unexpected quarters and, need I say, in the most unlikeliest of moments in one's life be it long-lost friends or someone closer home. Recently I had the privilege to connect with some of the people I had known since a while now. Never had I thought in my wildest dreams that they had the stories which would connect them with me at the level pretty much untouched by anything so similar. I was fortunate enough to receive their selfless love, understanding and care. Their patience and devotion to hear me out and at the same time allowing me a peek into their own shares of lives roaring like wild waves at some point or dead silences at other times in-between various events of their lives.What more can I say! I can only pray they are blessed with everything beautiful.

I have a couple of those incidents to re-play and would keep it short and simple. A chance 'Hello' from an old friend got us talking about everything courteous and mundane. One topic lead to another and before long he started talking his past difficult experiences. As the story progressed it seemed like it was my own story re-counted by a witness at the time. The striking similarity instantly struck a chord without the unnecessary pity or a blank stare. But instead a deep sense of understanding that is hard to come-by. No wonder, I thought to myself later, that although we always shared a distant and an awkward bond we never really got out of touch. I believe we were carrying the thoughts all along to pour it out someday when we would be least prepared to do so. Did we ever anticipate it? Had we ever noticed the emotional scars in each other's eyes before? Never! To me its a miracle to meet certain people at a certain time not always capable of understanding their place in our lives until the bell strikes and fate unwinds its plans.

I  had another experience of getting in touch with a beautiful soul with whom I had lost base since a few years. But a chance 'Hello'(once again) through a common friend got us talking again. A misunderstanding from the past had failed in its charm and a fresh start was imminent. We made up for the lost time quickly and seamlessly. The lost years had made us capable to see through the narrow alleys for a bigger picture which invariably lay ahead. Her mental tenacity, empathy, sensitivity was exactly what I needed when I hit a low. Once again the background was created by the 'Hello' for the days to come when I would need her the most. Her place in my life was created way before she would be needed and all this to my ignorance. Life has the most mysterious ways of working. Who wouldn't agree!

Overwhelmed is my heart as I never realised what gems laid around me. They say there is always a time and place for everything. I agree, even for the relationships to blossom from a  seed to a beautiful flower. But conditions apply: They wont be on your condition!

My Beach

There has been an unexpected visitor on our shores recently. I had no idea until the topic came up when we were driving around the shore. At that instance, we immediately craned our necks to see if we had a chance to catch a glimpse while the traffic was moving at the snail's pace. This was one of those moments when you don't want to rush through the traffic but ironically that's the only time when it picks up speed =).

Within a few seconds, to our luck, I happened to see a faint blue night which seemed to be in suspension in the dark of the night. It could very well be a side of one of the many hotels that dot the coast against the dark of the night. We narrowed our eyes to see if it was indeed the ship which had lost its way while on its way to the ship wrecking yard. After a few moments of frantic speculation, as we were moving faster through the traffic, we reached the conclusion it indeed was!! The faint lines of the ship's massive body and the adjoining shaft did seem like it supported the teeny weeny light.

As the excitement turned to contentment of seeing it first-hand, I wondered if that tiny light was enough to let the ship sit like that. Shouldn't it have been brighter and facing the sea for any incoming fishing boats? Well, I didn't really step down to check the ghost-ship. But I hoped its presence was felt in the dark of the night for some more unknown visitors to the shore, if any.

I thought to myself I would catch the glimpse of this beast in the light of the evening the very next day. I anyway had to return a book on 'Chakra Therapy'(yea, you read it right, mumbo-jumbo , I agree too, but I am hooked ;)) in the near-by library. I thought it would be best to take a look then.

The next day as the evening set in I started contemplating whether I should really waste my time running around some abandoned ship or stick to my plan to return the book and pour over a few more. But luckily the child in me got the better of me so I decided to head straight to the beach while I still had some chance at the light.

I reached the narrow street taking me straight in the direction of the cool, salty breeze with some embarrassing excitement and anticipation. I felt silly as a child and thought I would be one of the only urban chics trying to steal a look at some old abandoned stuff with the rest of the curious 'crowd'. I don't mean it in a derogatory way. I ,in fact,quite envy it because urbanites have so many things off-limits. Being urban comes at the cost of giving up on the natural instincts to just be. So, with hesitation and yet a faked confident stride I marched on. I immediately started looking for the monster and wondered if I had started off from the wrong side of the shore when I couldn't set my sight on it straight away. But that's my usual impatience. Then I looked at my left, judging by its location the night before and lo and behold there it was!!! The monster finally in full sight!! =) It looked awesome from the distance. Although foreign to our shores and not exactly welcomed it did make for a nice view. I mean, come on, how often do you get to see ships on my shore at least. Not even in the passing. The only things we really see are some teeny weeny lights dancing on the horizon or merely stationary. Now what do you make of the stationary ones ?!?! No clue.

I watched the ship and stayed on for a while taking in the sight. Just wanted it to register in my mind. I am not good with details anyway, the outlines would do. To my surprise I saw the beach more than crowded for a weekday for the obvious reasons. Now I thought I got to do what I got to do. I removed my camera, oh yea, and decided to go for the picture. Fortunately, I saw a lot of that happening around me. I was not alone you see ;). From there on it was easy-peasy. I shot a few pictures and decided to move along the shore to cover its entire length. I had a good time walking around. merging  with the crowd, an eclectic mix of families, couples, teenagers, youngsters and children. When I felt I had my share of soaking it in I decided to turn back.

The way back was the journey between me and the sea. The ship ceased to exist except for the one last look before I made my exit. I felt grateful coz I knew the sea had sent me an invitation on the pretext of the unexpected guest. It had been a while since I been there and I was glad I took it. The sea has been by best company through my loneliest moments in my life. We have shared a long and faithful companionship. But not just that, it has also been my partner in crime, in laughter, in joy , in giggles, in sharing intimate and wildly animated conversations, walking with the upturned umbrellas on the rainy days in the adult years of my life, even my first bungee jumping happened right there many years back. Not to forget all the childhood plays of digging into its lap or making mountains only to crush them later amidst squeals of laughter which looking back were the first few glimpses of moksha. Moksha from the burden of possessing them and letting them go.  Now, how do u measure these luxuries which cease to be a part of every day life?

With the soothing touch of its lovely breeze and the lullaby of its playful waves it brought me back to me. I was rested inside. No thoughts, no excitement, no embarrassment, just an overflowing peace. Unfortunately, it was time to leave although I wanted to remain soaked in its compassion. I  have never been able to thank it enough in all these years. And no places is ever complete for me without a beautiful shore. She is divinity personified for me, she is my meditation and she is my Divine Mother!

Night Life

The paintings above are a series I have named 'Night life'. These were my first attempt at abstract a few years ago. This was at a time when there were too many hit-n-run cases of drunk driving in my city. It touched me deeply and they inspired me to put across my thoughts through the medium I share a comfortable equation with.

I have attempted to show the fun side of the night life juxtaposed with the many evils of the same. Since these paintings are abstract, I would like to leave it to my viewers to see and appreciate the paintings from their own perspective.

Hope u have a good time moving along the winding lines and seemingly odd patches. Let's see if they make any sense at all ;) Have fun!

The paintings are of dimension 8"x8". They are oils on stretched canvas mounted on wooden frame.

Solang

This is a 10"x8" oil painting on canvas. I attempted to portray the beauty of the mountains in Solang valley which I visited last year. This is also my first attempt at landscape in such a small dimension. Nevertheless it was fun painting it!  Also, its very different from my regular style of painting and the subject which is usually figurative in nature. But its always fun to try out something new every once in a while =)

The Eagle

This is a 12" x 12"  pencil sketch of an Eagle from a reference.

Lately I have been following various artists and trying different mediums to get their feel and to see what comes naturally to me. The process is on but I must admit my first love has always been pencil and I simply re-discovered my love for it . I thought it was time to take it up once again. Hope you'll like it!

The Realisation

I was not too sure of writing this post for the reason of intimacy of the experience or perhaps the lack of words to express it. But something in me prompted me to go ahead on the spur of the moment and here I am trying my best to do justice to it. The life in the city gets on to me and lately I have realised I am immensely in love with nature. To me nature nurtures and heals like nothing else. If feminity is attributed to nature I can understand why.

Since last year I have had the fortune to travel to diverse natural locales around my country. It has opened the channels of connecting with myself as never before. From visiting the snow capped mountains to the intense green carpets I have journeyed in the lap of God to say the least. And I realise this thirst is not to die soon. Or should I say it has only been intensified. I pray that nature summons me more often to rest in its infinitely beautiful lap to catch a few moments of self realisation.

Each time I travelled I saw beauty as the state of my mind permitted me to. Though the state would alter to its most natural possible state at the time. I guess I understand Alchemy in that sense. Experientially its not impossible to achieve. Not that you do it, it happens! I realised each visit helped me to dive deeper into my core. The seemingly endless intervals between my journeys were only preparing me to dive deeper each time, unknowingly of course.

My most recent trip was over a weekend. It was not meant to be adventurous or exciting in anyway except an awaited chance to appreciate the beauty of its surrounding from the back of a horse. I started with the maniac buzz of the city in my mind. The momentum was in its full galore until I reached the place. As the minutes passed into hours I realised that the soothing calm of the nature had started the process of alchemy on my mind. The city with its manic expressions was beginning to loose its ground. I watched it like a cynical  spectator wondering if it could ever be subdued given its almost permanent residency in my mind. But who was I to interfere! I was only a spectator with an imaginary tub of popcorn in my hand. I continued my with new routine with nature allowing it to take me over as it deemed fit. As the day ended and the night arrived the nature plunged me into my deepest moments of relaxation with its most gentle nudge I had ever experienced in my life. Those are the moments of perfect synchronicity and silence. Not of vacuum, in a negative sense but a certain completeness. Nature simply mirrors itself .I do not have the right words to express anything more than I have and strangely  I don't  feel inadequate at my lack of skill in expressing it. But I know in my heart I have already connected with everyone who have experienced those moments anytime anywhere.

My experiences away from the concrete have ironically left me high and dry. Not sure yet if I should be thankful to the nature for these timeless glimpses or complain for making me more restless in the artificial jungle. I can say one thing, the prints of man on a perfectly manicured landscape have no potential against the wilderness, just as a perfect plastic rose has none against a real one with all its imperfections and thorns. We are only a reflection of Its vast presence.  We exist because It does.

The Box

This is a  painting done wiht acrylics on a wooden box. I was wondering what to paint and I decided to go for the vibrant green of a parrot which seemed apt for the sliding cover of the box. I mulled over the accessories that came stuck to the box.  They looked pretty as they were so I decided to not to touch them and instead, work around them. They added to the vibrancy and richness of the box in the end. The perfect blend of the traditional with the modern.

Smiles

This is a mixed media on oil paper. I tried my hand at merging the magazine cut out with acrylics. It was fun doing this one and the look turned out to be better than my expectation. Actually, I didnt have a fixed idea when I started. The painting shaped up along the way. The end result was better than even a vague imagination I had at that point. Imagination is sometimes limiting hence, its best to give it a free rein to get some interesting results! Hope you'll enjoy it too.