Oil on canvas sized 8 by 20 inches( diptych). As I pulled and pushed the paint around, I was slowly departing from realism. But it did give a sense of freedom!Being a frequent flyer for the last several years, I always take a window seat to enjoy the clouds, their patterns and the light falling on them, making them look like shining jewels.
Well this time, I looked at them with a different perspective..I was bidding a final good bye to Mumbai where I lived for the last few years. We came across many beautiful people during these years.. Some of them made a big difference in our lives while we could bring in some good times in the lives of many. The most missed one being our car driver who tried to teach me the local language Marathi till the last day, which I could never learn ! The irony is that I may not meet any of them( except for one who has promised to visit me) again in my life though I will remember them for ever.
As I looked out of the window at the clouds with a heavy heart, they looked stationary. But in reality, they were passing.
I love the colours and these clouds are so beautifully painted.Moving away from people you know and love is hard but in movement there is the chance to grow and prosper.
ReplyDeleteAh, Padmaja, I love the way you put your thoughts into words and into paintings! I look at the clouds every day too. The few times I've tried to draw them, even on the most still day, they moved and changed even as I watched. You've captured that so perfectly in your painting! And the simile of our lives being like the clouds is so befitting! Good luck with your move, you will grow and flourish wherever you land, I am sure of it!
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful clouds are the reminder that everything passes, the best and the bad, we never stop in out movement. Is it bad or good? I like stability but I am afraid of stagnation. As usual, every medal has two sides.
ReplyDeleteThis summer clouds give me so much joy and hope for the rain. Glad to see them.
It is a beautiful painting but equally good is the accompanying write up.Best wishes as you move to a new place.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of God's big heart and hands through these beautiful clouds, Padmaja. I know you will always take with you the things you gained in Mumbai.
ReplyDeleteYour clouds are lovely and your narrative, as always, is beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same when i left Calcutta, as I was leaving to catch the train, I looked at each and every buildings, the streets, the trams and the rickshaws, oh! how I missed them. After many years I had the chance to visit Calcutta, as the plane started nearing Calcutta, my husband was looking at me, and laughing, asking me as to why was i so excited... yes i was excited beyond control.
ReplyDeleteYou were talking of moving away, growing up meeting new people, I think I can never grow up, and thoughts of Calcutta keep me caged forever in its beauty, its variety, and its youthfulness.
I think something about your blog has taken me off track, and I have written totally unconnected things.
Or maybe it is topic of clouds that has made me very mushy.
Your paintings are beautiful. They remind me of the quote:"A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...It feels an impulsion...this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons."
A beautiful post and I love the cloud paintings as well as the lovely sentiments expressed in your writing!
ReplyDeleteWhere are you moving to?? A new change brings in new people and new dreams.. Yes.. You'll miss the old ones.. but who knows.. your paths may cross again.. Life is kind of strange like that..
ReplyDeleteHope you are well.. *hugs*..
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ReplyDeleteLeaving friends behind and clinging to memories can be very saddening...but ahh...think of all the new friends and experiences that await you, Padmaja!
ReplyDeleteWhen one door closes, another door opens.
Love the cloud diptych...the color is wonderful!
ps...Sorry but I had to delete my first comment.
I misspelled "friends" as "fiends"...Lol!
Your clouds are wonderful, and all the best to you - it's always sad to come to the end of one part of your life, but it does mean that you are at the beginning of another..
ReplyDeletewow...nice paintings and also your wordings.....
ReplyDeleteEverything is passing , but the memories remain....wish you all the best in your new life. Your clouds are beautiful, and really seem to speed away.
ReplyDeleteOh, Padmaja, you have touched my soul, this post. Clouds were perfect to go with this thought as you bid farewell to friends. How fleeting life can seem at times like these. Good journey, my friend, filled with light. I love your clouds!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have summed up the essence of Indian philosophy with the closing lines. So profound and full of meaning.
ReplyDeleteWill see you in Bangalore Padmaja in late sept/early Oct. you are very special and have have a special place in my family...
ReplyDeleteGreat clouds and touching words :) Wish you all the best in your new place. I know new creativity will be waiting there for you!
ReplyDeleteThe clouds are so beautifully painted! You have touched my soul!
ReplyDeleteWish you all the best with your move. I can feel the sentiments very well...as we also move a lot!
Love your post:)
Padmaja, a perfect painting for your thoughts! I love the way you express yourself through words as well as paintings! Wish and hope lots of good luck and friends in the new place.
ReplyDeletePS: thanks for promptly commenting on my blog! Really feels encouraging!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work! i think ther alreeady can feel the freedom in those cluods! love they almost abstract look! And the story that you tell opening this work much more to me! its true that everything moves all the time good and bad, all it history even the future! Beautiful work! It will be nice to see it when it will be ready! :)
ReplyDeleteWhere ever you go, our meeting ground: this blog stays here! Great work and great emotions. By the way I am heading for Mumbai in a few days!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Padmaja!! I wish you the best of luck wherever you go! This painting is beautiful. I think, as Artists, we all request a window seat...loving the clouds with every movement.!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully surreal, dream-like piece. I get the sensation that these clouds are like the curtains of a theatre play closing a scene. However, in your memory you can push them aside to access your old friends and revisit Mumbai. What a beautiful link to that place and time.
ReplyDeletewhere you movieg to .. all the best in the move and new start
ReplyDeleteI am sure you guys will meet up some day ..
the painting is beautiful .. loved it
Bikram's
Superb painting
ReplyDeleteAnd i can think of many things after viewing the painting like shadows of vision, clouds in the deep blue sky before rain and the shades are also reflecting the thought process of the artist..
:) :) :)
Padmaja. I was so touched by your writings and your painting seemed to go hand in hand with your post.. It is sad to leave friends behind, very sad, but always look forward to the adventure that lies just ahead.. It is always there and as beautiful as you make it... Barbra Joan...
ReplyDeleteI love your clouds so light and airy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful paintings. Lovely post about the passing of friends and places. Being a military dependent I moved from place to place as I did later as a traveling artist. People and places, like clouds, come and go in our lives and some leave memories we never forget.
ReplyDeletenice to get back and view you blog! I have for long been wanting to paint the clouds through which I fly, but always felt they would be without much movement! You have proved me wrong...
ReplyDeleteHello Padmaja:
ReplyDeleteJust remember those who have touched you will touch you in your memories...
Best,
Jill
Haven't seen a post from you in a while. Hope everything is going well for you!
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard leaving Mumbai-...I wish I could visit India once in my life.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful paintings.
These clouds are so beautiful. So fluffy and full of light I can just see the billowing along.
ReplyDeleteHi Pad!
ReplyDeleteHow are you, my friend? Yikes... it's been a while since I've visited my bloggy friends! :-(
Love, love this! The colors are simply gorgeous and I love the soft edges. A real stunner!
I came back and looked over your blog again. These clouds keep my attention and I can't get enough.
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