This is Las Vegas at night, done in acrylics on canvas sized 20'' by 24".I have tried to bring in Bellagio fountains along with the Paris hotel in the back drop. I took reference from a video that I took when I visited Vegas. Many of the largest casino, hotel and resort properties in the world are located on the Las Vegas Strip.It feels like a fairy land!From Echart Tolle to Deepak Chopra, I have read them all, trying to understand what it is to be in the present moment. Reading is one thing, practicing what is being read is all together another ball game! I have not been very successful to be in the present moment at any given point of time..either the mind is thinking about what happened in the past or it is worrying with anxiety about the future.To be in the present is the key to true happiness, say, the enlightened. For me, the present moment experience happens whenever I sit and watch ocean waves or trek through woods.Nature is so powerful that it makes you forget about your worries and anxieties. But surprisingly, I could be in the present moment when I was in Vegas strip, enjoying all around that was a feast for my eyes, everything man made, quite contrary to the nature that always helps me to be in the moment. All I could see on the faces of the people around me was joy, as if there was no real life existing outside, life that has ups and downs that pull us away from the present moment.
For me doing this city scape was challenging. I was not too sure as to what details I could include and what I had to ignore. I needed to really feel the place and decide the colors to be used. Just to give an impression of the trees and the lights that are in front of the buildings was hard for me since my brain is trained to think details.The sky looked dark in the video, but when I used just the prussian blue, it looked sober to the core and lacked drama.So I decided to go for lighter values near the lighted buildings. Anyway, It was fun painting this one and till I was working on it.. hmmm, I was in the present moment :-)
You have captured the spirit of my city with both your painting and your words. You did a terrific job on this!
ReplyDeletecount this painting a success, padmaja, I feel how "glittery" it is. You really captured all the color and the water sparkles like diamonds. I enjoyed your narrative too. I love and understand the idea that "all we have is now" but, I am always somewhere else! lol--thanks for making me think.
ReplyDeleteOh this is incredible, the reflections in the water, the building and the "moment". I really like it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your talk on the present moment. I disovered Deepak way way back, in the late 80's, and would buy all his books, tapes, tapes of he and Wayne Dyer talking. I could talk for hours about all that, it was my passion, living in the moment.
I can totally understand you being in the moment in Vegas. I live about 4 hours down the freeway from Vegas and we use to visit there about twice a year. The moment I would get out of the car, it was a whole different energy, exciting...
But back to your painting, I LOVE it.
I tend not to like Las Vegas because it has strayed to far from nature and authenticity, and because I don't enjoy gambling or shopping very much. But truly your painting and words are lovely, and they will cause me to give it another look - which is an important purpose of art. The bright ambient light below and the dark desert sky above are just right.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely and totally dazzling! I have never been to Vegas but my family has and they describe it much the same as you have. I love the oragey-gold against the blue-black of the sky and How you managed to capture the fall of water in the foreground is phenomenal. I admire your skill!
ReplyDeleteMy but you are busy Padmaja. Dropped by to see what you have been doing. This is a challenging piece i think and you were able to put it all together so nicely. I like the night time feel and the sparkles on the water. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAnd i know of the "present moment" that you speak of. I experienced it the other day working on a job taking tiles off a wall. I became conscious of each blow of the hammer and it actually became a joyful task as i was present in the moment and nothing else existed. Made the job go faster too for sure. It happens when i paint as well. I enjoyed reading your commentary about your art and your experience.
Blessings,
ross
Going to festivals is for me a similar 'feast for my eyes' which takes me away from everyday life and into living in the moment, so I know what you mean. I love the reflections and colour in your painting.
ReplyDeleteI like very much the water reflections.
ReplyDeleteAnd your feeling of the place is here.
Yes, the feel of the moment and the possibility to stop moving inside the happening joy or sorrow, overdo the emotions and think " what is it? What does this situation mean to me?"
The present..I guess that is the key...nice write up on how we enjoy the present even when we fly back into out past!! 画儿 很美！
ReplyDeleteJust such wonderful capture of the water and the light!
ReplyDeleteAnother great painting Padmaja! I totally agree with your view of Vegas. We visited a few years back and it was my hubby's wish to go there....not mine....BUT, I was blown away at how much I liked it!! It truly is a man made work of art in the desert....a feast for the eyes. I'm not a gambler and did very little shopping, but I sure enjoyed the people watching and the gawking at all the awesome structures. We took in shows and had a really fun time. Thanks for bringing back those memories with your painting.
ReplyDeleteThe colors are brilliant Padmaja. One can feel the light coming out of the brilliantly lit building. The reflections in the water enhance the beauty manifold.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a tough piece, Padmaja.The fountain and the reflection in water are beautifully done.You have recreated the magic of big cities in the glittering lights of the night.
ReplyDeleteAs for the thought, I think you can't practice everything you read-- things muddle up after some time! Better to stick to what appeals to you most:)
I am amazed at how well you captured the glitter of Vegas. Good job! I'm also amazed at the money that continues to be spent there in these tough economic times. Just goes to show where there is a will there is a way, so why worry? Easy to say, but not so easy to do. I am a fan of Deepak Chopra
ReplyDeletebut I have not been able to live in the moment either. I wonder if anyone, beyond mediation time, including Deepak, really can.
...traigo
ReplyDeletesangre
de
la
tarde
herida
en
la
mano
y
una
vela
de
mi
corazón
para
invitarte
y
darte
este
alma
que
viene
para
compartir
contigo
tu
bello
blog
con
un
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de
oro
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dentro...
desde mis
HORAS ROTAS
Y AULA DE PAZ
TE SIGO TU BLOG
CON saludos de la luna al
reflejarse en el mar de la
poesía...
AFECTUOSAMENTE
PADMAJA
ESPERO SEAN DE VUESTRO AGRADO EL POST POETIZADO DE CACHORRO, FANTASMA DE LA OPERA, BLADE RUUNER Y CHOCOLATE.
José
Ramón...
Padmaja,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such encouraging comments! I love this painting - the water is fabualous (very Monet-ish). I look forward to checking in again to see more of your work!
Pad!
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job on this! I'm so impressed... cityscapes are difficult for me... so much detail, so much going on. This conveys the fairytale feeling you spoke of.
T
Wow nice thought and it came very well ,the reflection and the sky and the night vision all are nice Padmaja.Great work.
ReplyDeleteMarvellous marvellous painting from a very lovely person thank you so much for this and your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors and reflections - on the water and your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteWell looks great to me. Those yellows against the blue sky really sets this off. I also enjoyed reading about your journeys. Have fun and keep painting.
ReplyDeleteOh GOD!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Padmaja..I love this painting..such details ..the colors you used and the reflection. Beautifully done...I love Las Vegas and this painting makes me want to go back...
ReplyDeleteits simply amazing..it looks more like a snapshot.!
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