May 8, 2015

Miles of walk

Miles of walk, 8 by 10 inches, oil
This was done from my road trips around  North India. I met these women who walked miles to get a pot of water and I felt overwhelmed by the luxury of water from taps back at home. I gently remind myself to use every drop of water wisely  because somewhere out there  some people have no luxury of even drinking water. I have gone through severe water woes for daily consumption when I started my family right from drawing water from a well to carrying buckets of water from road tankers and pouring in to our tanks! Today I have no scarcity for water but still dont feel like wasting a drop!

24 comments:

  1. The picture nicely depicts the parched earth despite the greenery of the tree.I have also seen women carrying pots of water on their heads over long distances in some dry states.Sadly the value of the natural resources is felt only in areas of scarcity

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  2. That's a great message via this stunning painting. I too use some things wisely...never wasted food in my life.

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  3. The contrast and shadows in the massive tree caught my eye, and I don't sense drought in the landscape but appreciate your explanation of the women and their long walk for water.

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  4. Water is more precious than diamonds , it should never be wasted ! I just love the lavish splurge of paint and the way you built the trees with thick strokes, such fabulous texture . All palette knife I suppose .

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  5. Beautiful tree, Padmaja. I also like what you say about water and not taking it for granted.

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  6. This is beautiful. Although water flows from several faucets inside and outside my house, it is scarce now where I live.

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  7. Your brushwork portrays lush foliage and greenery, all made possible by plenty of water. I agree it is indeed a precious commodity, and a timely reminder that whether we have plenty of it, we should never take water for granted. xxx

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  8. It is such a shame that in our nation there are places where humans have to still walk miles to get water ..

    A beautiful painting mam.. as always awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)


    Bikram's

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  9. your color values and texture are brilliant ! I can feel heat of the day and cool shadow of the tree! I also like how you show the scale of the landscape - vast parched land, huge tree and two small ladies! Like you I too have experienced the daily water woes, drawing water from the well, storing water from the tanker in multiple vessels etc...! now I am extremely grateful for the water in the faucet -but my water conservation habit has never gone away :) wonderful painting.

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  10. I like your tree and it's texture. I also like how majestic your tree and the sky are and how small the people are in comparison. It's interesting that you posted this today. Last night I watched a program about how areas in India don't have enough clean water and how the toilet waste flows right into the street and then into the rivers. I totally agree with you about not taking clean and available drinking water for granted. Water is the next oil.

    Great painting and a post worth thinking about.

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  11. I like your tree and it's texture. I also like how majestic your tree and the sky are and how small the people are in comparison. It's interesting that you posted this today. Last night I watched a program about how areas in India don't have enough clean water and how the toilet waste flows right into the street and then into the rivers. I totally agree with you about not taking clean and available drinking water for granted. Water is the next oil.

    Great painting and a post worth thinking about.

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  12. Padmaja, I'm with you on conserving water. Living here in the desert, we are careful to conserve. Your post has also made me stop to think how fortunate we are not to have to walk miles to fetch our water. Your painting is a perfect depiction of the story. I love the colors and the textures.

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  13. Yes, water is precious, and when I see people wasting it, my blood really boils. Lovely painting depicting the shortage of water in many parts of country. Even i have gone through water shortage in the past. Whether or not one goes through shortage of water, we must always remember for some people in various parts of the world, it is more precious then diamonds and gold.

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  14. I agree.. I also feel that we take water for granted!
    Nice painting..

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  15. If only more people were as aware as you are of the difficulties some people experience in their daily lives. Love your painting that goes along with your story.

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  16. Hello greetings and good wishes.

    Amazing painting depicting a rural scene. The tree in the forefront looks gigantic with plush green leaves with sunlight reflecting in some patches. The green fields looks serene and the green color you have chosen contrasts the green leaves of the tree very beautifully. The light blue color of the sky with white rolling clouds looks fabulous. The mud road looks very realistic. The dark red and blue colors of the sarees worn by the two village women ambling along with pots of water on their heads makes a lovely contrast.

    You have created a lovely,peaceful, realistic village scene with gorgeous colors which takes my breath away.

    Water is precious and one will understand how crucial it is for living only when there is scarcity. In many places in rural in India people walk for miles to fetch a pot of water. In the metro cities it is not uncommon to see a long line of people waiting patiently to get their turn for filling water from the public tap..Getting clean water is also a problem.

    Somehow our development plans have gone astray. We are making large strides in rocket technology, we are running metro rails, we build huge dams, we have massive sky scrapers, we have large malls, we have air planes to travel all over the world, we have some of the riches people in the world, we have great politicians but it is a pity our development has been lop sided.

    In many parts of our country people don't have drinking water , toilet facilities, houses, schools, access to education and medical facilities. Poverty, hunger ans starvation deaths are also rampant. Villagers resort to sorcery and black magic as a cure for all their ills.

    Your lovely painting tells a wonderful story of a fabulous part of India.

    Best wishes

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  17. The painting is lovely and the words are powerful. A reminder to be grateful for what we have, Too many in the world are without the basics of life. Josephs letter above is very meaningful and correct.

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  18. Lovely texture!!
    I'd love to see the process shots of your paintings, or a video, Padmaja. How you work on these scenes will be great to see. Treat us pls :-)

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  19. a beautiful painting and beautiful story too! I admire how you take note of such things during your travels. Your observations are so valuable for the rest of us who have never experienced such places.

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  20. Padmaja, another gorgeous painting and your signature textures are going on too. Love the subtle shadows in front of these two women too. Your words certainly gave me pause for thought too. I've never known a scarcity of water, though I do remember the differences between "well" water and "city" water.

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  21. I admire the real artist in you.I felt like walking through that area.Nice.

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  22. Hi Padmaja! I love the light in your painting, it's a a warm and very colorful scene. I find your post quite touching. Here, water is abundant and in our family we try to eliminate waste as best we can. I'm afraid it's not everybody yet, who's conscious of the need to preserve water for future needs. We are spoiled. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

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  23. The two women placed in the painting changes the whole perspective of how one looks at it.
    Lovely colours.

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  24. Hi Padmaja, so very beautiful..the unique array of colors dancing inside that tree, the foliage is spectacular, gorgeous! I love the meaning and heart-touching insights you shared, I feel the same..yes every drop of water is precious! as always, your textures and brushwork keeps me staring for a long while..utterly amazing!

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