Visual Observation

Sitting cross-legged on the bay window at home, I study my canvas. A toddler sits in her pram, brown curly locks flying in all directions. Her cheeks are dimpled and her smile is gummy. Her hand holds a rattle, but she’s looking at me intently. At first glance, she’s exactly the way I remembered her when I first saw her while vacationing at a hill-station. (something not quite right about this sentence) My eyes linger on hers; the curve seems just right, the pupils a lovely hue of green-yellow, her lashes never-ending. Yet, something is missing. I lean forward with my paintbrush and expertly sprinkle two white dots. And just like that, I've captured her mischievous spirit.

I sit back pleased with my work. The evening sun’s rays criss-cross through the lace on my window leaving dancing patterns on the canvas, as if in agreement. I smile only to jump out of my reverie when my mother bangs
I love to observe people around me and draw their portraits. For me the face of a person is an index of his or her persona and to capture it on canvass is akin to bringing out his or her soul. When I paint a person, I see the tenderness of eyes, the firmness of mouth and lines around it to get a sense and spirit of that person. It seems to me at times that I do not splash paint on my canvass but my love of my subjects get splashed on my canvass.

As an artist, sometimes self-doubt plagues me and I question myself, “ Am I doing the right thing by sharing my inner-self with the world?” However, when I hear, “It takes courage to let others see me, my feelings, my being,” I know I am on the right path. I then use my diffidence to fuel my artistic urges and painting another portrait. It is invariably one small step at a time, one paining at a time, but I have to move ahead on my voyage to self-actualization. There are many other reasons why I want to build my life with my love for painting as a foundation; but one is more than enough – It gives me my