In the Sun...Gujarat

I did a sketch of this picture soon after I took it. I am now getting ready for my first ever exhibition, and so have done a bigger version of it. I loved the moment it captured....a group of women jumping out of a over stuffed jeep, which came a halt in front of my car during a field visit in rural Gujarat last year! The memory remains, the laughter, the bright colours of their clothes, and a sense of lightness and freedom, almost, as they jumped out and sat under the tree, chattering all the time!

Early morning mist

At present, the early mornings in Kolkata are shrouded in ground mist, which remains well into late morning when a weak sun tries to show itself! This doesn't deter the early morning walker! I tried to capture the mist and the greys and pinks that make a unique light, the shadows under the trees and the light ahead! Viveck says that this picture is 'bleak', but I think its come out well !

The last Puri sketch!

The boganvilla bush were in abundance, full of bright pink flowers! The old blue gate that leads to the sea, all caught in a really bright sunlight made a nice picture!

More glimpses of Puri!

Its calm and peaceful in Puri. The kids and Viveck are out swimming in the sea, its a cool and balmy day and I am sitting on the Varandah and painting....there are no schedules to keep, as time lazily moves on.

This tree has been here since I first started coming to Puri over 30 years ago. It has withstood all the many storms that hit the Puri coast during the Monsoons!

Colours in Puri

I have been doing some painting, but have not really posted anything for a while....so will end the year and start the new one with a resolution to be a little more regular on this blog! As usual the garden is in full bloom at Hashimara Hall here in Puri. How the Mali can grow such an amazing assortment of flowers, is beyond me, with the garden facing the sea and a constant wind!! These cannas are outside my window and almost shine in the sun!

We have spent so many great holidays here, while our children were young....now we are here with them as grown women and with their families around them, and one feels blessed for all one has! Its a nostalgic time as Viveck retires next year and I am not sure whether we will come here again, altogether as a family.

My night flowering cactus

I have been away for over 3 weeks, and although I have had  a terrific time, it is always so terrific to come home. I was home late at night and walked into my little verandah garden to say hi to my plants. I was greeted by my cactus plant which had given out this amazing flower. It gives out buds off an on, but I have never managed to see it open before! This was a real miracle and such a wonderful welcome home!

The blue door

Old doors and windows really fascinate me. They conjure up images and stories of all those who passed by or through the doors, the life and times that have drifted past, while the door has stood firm.
This was one such image from a reference picture taken in Portugal!