Always Watchful

Watchful watercolor by Meera Rao

 

'Watchful' is coming back home after four months gracing the wall at the Hill Center Galleries at the Old Naval Hospital in Washington DC.  This was a direct watercolor painting with no sketch done ahead of the time. I was pleased to be able to paint the likeness without a sketch :)  Once again in June will be the month long challenge on direct watercolor painting! Hope to participate and sharpen my skills. I also force myself to paint larger than in my usual small sketchbook. I can only fit a small sketch book in my handbag.  

Friendship Blooms

Floral friendship Cards  watercolor By Meera Rao 

I painted these cards back in January during my trip to India/London. They were for my friends whose almost lifelong association has been a bright spot in my life. All four of us met and spent the day together once again in person after almost fifty years. These flowers were all in bloom in the garden in Bengaluru. I feel a part of me is always in my paintings and it felt just right to paint these for my friends as a token of my appreciation. 

 

The past few months, though sketching regularly, I have been remiss about  posting on my blog. The trip changed my routine and getting back to it is something I need to work on! I do post often on Instagram @artbymeera.  But I like posting on my blog as it makes me write down my thoughts.

Oleander watercolor by Meera Rao

Fuchsia watercolor by Meera Rao

Gazania watercolor by Meera Rao 

Beauty, Death, Time and Recipes !!

Red Bench at the Cemetery  watercolor by Meera Rao 

Smithsonian Engagement Calendar 2022 Week 2 

A winter storm blanketed Washington DC the first Monday of the year. At the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC, the beauty of a snow covered red bench sitting amidst snow capped tombstones was very unsettling in a way. The photograph of the watch on the opposite page seemed to further that feeling reminding me of the ticking clock of life.

When I read that it is an uncommon watch and belonged to Helen Keller, I was intrigued. The touch watch by Rossellini & Fils c.1865 Geneva, Switzerland, designed to tell time in the dark, with pins around the edge that correspond to the hours on the dial, was a gift to teenaged Helen Keller.  ‘A revolving hand on the back of the watch stops at a point between the pins that corresponds to the hour and approximate minute. With the hand and pins as locators, it is possible to feel the approximate time.’   

While I was mulling over the concepts of beauty, death and ticking clock, I stumbled across this quote written by Albert Einstein on the passing of his friend Michele Besso : ‘Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me.  That means nothing. People like us, who believe in Physics, know that the distinction between the past, present and future, is a stubbornly persistent illusion.’ Sounds like ‘Maya’ - something right out of Upanishads that I been reading and and trying to understand !!! 

Color mixing : greens. Watercolor Meera Rao 

Smithsonian Engagement Calendar 2021 week 2 

The photograph for the week in Smithsonian Engagement Calendar 2021 week 2 is of ‘cordial recipes from James Smithson’s  receipt book’  :  ‘Honor the Smithsonian’s 175th birthday by toasting the founding donor, James Smithsonian (1765-1829), with one of his cordials- aniseed, peppermint or cinnamon. Smithsonian, a chemist recorded formulas for a wide array of his favorite compounds that found use in tooth powder, boot black, and cough drops.’ 

Looking through my photographs and sketchbooks I discovered that ‘color recipes’ for green by mixing different yellows and blues was what I was working on during that week. :) 

Congressional Cemetery

 

Congressional Cemetery  Derwent Grahitint paints, watercolors and pen by Meera Rao 

This is a sketch of family vaults at the Congressional cemetery in Washington DC. When we visit DC, we often go for walks at the cemetery with our granddogs. Most days Congressional cemetery members’ dogs can roam around there leash free. ‘The Canine Corps’ and the folks who bring them form an important part in the running of the cemetery providing about 1/4th of the operating income. 

The website explains: ‘Congressional Cemetery is a 35-acre historic yet active burial ground located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Initially known as the Washington Parish Burial Ground, Congressional Cemetery became the first truly national burial ground as Congress bought sites, buried noted civil servants, and funded the infrastructure.’ 

'Among the nearly 70,000 burials at Congressional are scores of noteworthy citizens who left their mark on the city and the nation.' 

While walking around reading the names on the gravestones, I recognize very few. But as I slowly learn the names, I am  getting a very special understanding of history of the city and the nation. The calm, quiet beauty of the place along with happy dogs strangely always makes visiting the cemetery a memorable experience. The last time we were there, the trees were in full fall color glory ! 

That Eventful Night

That Eventful Night  watercolor, pen and ink 5.5x3.5” by Meera Rao 

That night in July 2020 when the confederate monument in the neighboring town Portsmouth, Va came down, I sat glued to the TV.  I did a small sketch with a pen as I watched the events unfold. A huge crowd gathered around the monument with their cell phones in hand recording the historic event. Unfortunately the statue came down on one of the people involved and gravely injured him. Almost a year later when the anniversary came about, I watercolored my sketch.  Last couple of days, issues about removing the base of a toppled Lee statue in Richmond, Va has been in the news reminded me of the sketch  tucked away in my sketchbook. 

Fierce Colors

Fierce Colors watercolor Meera Rao 

Before covid put a stop to all travel, we had visited London and this watercolor is from my travel sketchbook. I realized  I had forgotten to share those sketches. This Lion etched in glass graced the doors of British Museum in London. I loved how colors outside the door shone through and it showed me a way to paint the glass lion:)  So it’s a full circle as illustrated by a quote from Leo Steinberg : “Whatever else art is good for, it’s chief effectiveness lies in propagating more art” 

 

A Promise

Creeping up the wall.watercolor by Meera Rao

Against the textured wall

Creeping up Moving sideways

Spreading

smooth green leaves

Swaying

Soft buttery petals

Absorbing

Reflecting 

Hot yellow of the Sun

Cool blue sky 

Memories of yesterday’s rain 

A Promise 

of tomorrow’s buds

Hopes for next years seeds

And secrets of 

Inspiration 

The Universe.

~ Meera Rao ~

Sacred Serenity

Sacred Serenity watercolor by Meera Rao 

Sacred sites and Temples dot the landscape in India. For Hindus Nature itself is a living goddess and Devine energy surrounds everything.  ‘Sacred Serenity’ shows a tiny glimpse of this beautiful concept. Traveling in India I see these sights every few minutes.  These small shrines hold as much awe and spirituality as any of the huge ornate temples. I hope these quiet places don’t get lost in the midst of fast moving modern encroachments.     

Behold the Universe in the glory of God:

And all that lives and moves on earth.

Leaving the transient, 

Find joy in the Eternal.

~ Isa Upanishad~

A Fleeting Moment

A Fleeting Moment Ink and watercolor by Meera Rao

A fleeting moment 

impermanent

transient 

suspended

in time

 a memory floating

in a watery image 

~Meera Rao~

We were early and not knowing how long the wait will be I took out my sketch book to keep me occupied. I was assessing the stained wall, the broom, two red and green lanterns and other miscellaneous items  on the low long storage shelf. And then, a person stopped right in the beam of sunlight at the far end to check his phone long enough for me to capture the moment on my phone.  I knew then what to sketch. I always find it challenging to balance the book and draw while standing but I managed to I sketched the scene in front of me. Months later I added the person using the reference photo and finished the sketch with watercolor! 

A Rock, A Temple, A Tree and A Wish

The Wishing Tree watercolor and pen by Meera Rao

After a morning spent at the Sri Rangam temple, we took an autoriksha to see the Rock Fort Temple in nearby Tiruchirapalli. This temple is visible for miles and is a landmark in the area.  As the name suggests the temple and the fort are on an 273' high ancient monolithic rock formation (according to my research about 3.8 billion years old!) A fort, three beautiful cave temples at different levels are cut away in the rock.  Temple at the foot is for Ganesha, the Ucchi Pillayar Temple is at the top,  and the Thayumanavar Temple between them. The Thayumanavar temple, the largest of the three, is  for Goddess Amman as well as Shiva. There are around 350-400 steep steps to climb to visit all the temples and reach the top most Ganesha Temple.  A marvel in construction, the temple complex was originally built more than 1000 years ago by the Pallavas. It was later reconstructed by the Madurai Nayaks and Vijayanagara rulers. The major complex in the temple are believed to be built during the 8th century by the Pandyan Empire.  

I was amazed to find this huge tree on top of the huge barren rock! A few feet below the entrance to the top most Ganesha Puliyar Temple, this tree is a wonder in itself.  The tree has many colorful cradles in wood or cloth hanging from it. There were many towers of bricks too. The story goes that an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva could not have her mother come to help her during pregnancy and delivery due to heavy rains and flood. Lord Shiva took pity on her, came down disguised as her mother and  she of course, had a safe and painless delivery.  So the devotees now come, tie the cradles and pray for an easy, safe pregnancy and delivery. I was impressed by the many pregnant and new mothers who were climbing all the way up either to pray or thank and show gratitude to the Lord. 

Needless to say the view from the top is breathtaking.  

Entering the Gate of Blessed Space

 Passing Thru the Temple Gates, SriRangam by Meera Rao

watercolor 

The many gates in the Temple Complex at Sri Rangam are massive, ornate, tall and wide. Lot goes on under the beautiful arches. Venders crowd the space by the walls, a few temple offices are tucked between the walls and gate. People, two wheelers and animals pass thru freely. Every single building and object in the temple complex harps on the beauty, majesty, creativity, talent that is beyond awe inspiring. It is indeed a tribute to the Universe and transports one to the spiritual realm.

Sketching and painting the scene is a challenge. It is daunting to show in a few lines and colors on 10x7" paper the beautiful sculptures on the wall, the engineering wizardry in the majestic arches and the very high walls, doors, as well as  all who pass thru those gates. And the morning light was streaming in from both ends of the gate. I was glad I was there early in the day when it was relatively empty and quiet with time and space to admire the surroundings. . 

There Was Quiet In His World

In His Own World  watercolor by Meera Rao

This sketch from my travel art journal is also from Sri Rangam. The scene is from the Vaiyali Feastival.  Right in the midst of the loud lively procession that I wrote about in two posts ago, I noticed this devotee (priest?) standing in a clearing in front of the palanquin that carried the image of the Goddess. His hands  clasped, still, calm and lost in his own world, may be he was waiting for the next surge of movement. The elaborate green and gold head gear seems to indicate he is an official of importance at the temple. He though seemed to be oblivious to the people, the exuberant noisy chants of the devotees and the lighted torches around him. 

 

Virginia Watercolor Society 41st Annual Show

Tropical Heart  watercolor by Meera Rao

Today is the 12th Anniversary of my blog !  554 posts and over 4.2K  comments :) This has been a wonderful place to show my art and I am grateful for all the support I have received over the years. 

I am also happy to share that my painting Tropical Heart is selected by Juror Fred Graff AWS-DR, NWS, TWSA-MS, an internationally-recognized watercolorist in his own right to be part of the 2020 Virginia Watercolor Society 41st Annual show. Thank you, Mr. Graff for choosing my painting as one of about 80 pieces for the show. The Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond is hosting the show this year till Dec 31 2020 .  Please visit their web site to secure timed tickets to the museum and show - courtesy of these covid days!!!  I am looking forward to visit and see the show soon  :) 

An Unforgettable Procession

Procession  watercolor and ink by Meera Rao

There is always much excitement when there is any religious procession. But this particular Vaiyali utsavam at the Sri Rangam Temple on Feb 6th 2020 was the first time for us. My cousin had urged us to be at the temple premises by 6pm for the Thai Thaer /Goddess Car Festival. 

Beautifully decked Goddess rides on Kuthurai Vahanam - a golden horse. Both are carried around on long poles shouldered by many devotees. The Goddess was out that evening, before the big festival for her beloved the next day -to oversee that all preparations were in order. She had come to check that it would indeed be safe for Him to take part in the festival.  And She was not merely carried by the devotees --it was a challenging choreographed procession with all the fanfare. The whole premise was so romantic and beautiful.  Here is a link to a video of a similar procession at the temple (I had trouble uploading my video). I was thrilled that we had arrived early enough to stake out a good spot and were able to witness it at close range.  This was indeed an unforgettable procession. 

 

Rooftop Sanctuary

Rooftop Sanctuary watercolor and ink by Meera Rao

There was someone else on the next rooftop - reading, enjoying the scenery, the peace and quiet of the morning as we were exploring the Sri Rangam temple complex.  This was definitely the place to be as the hubbub down below picked up. Looking around at the scene with almost a bird's eye view, I felt exhilarated and energized. It made me wonder if the lone reader had also found a respite from the throngs of devotees, shopkeepers, tourists  that were starting to congregate in the sprawling temple complex below. Did he do this everyday and if this different vantage point helped him gain a better understanding of any situation he encountered? Did he come up there to tap into higher awareness? I am pleased that this sketch brings back the wonderful memories of that morning to me

Meditation on Beauty

Sri Rangam Temple courtyard -ink and watercolor 9x7”  by Meera Rao 

 Early morning at the temple waiting for our guide, I soaked in the sunlight, and the serene quiet before the hustle and bustle of devotees and tourists took over.  I was mesmerized by the awe inspiring elaborate carvings on the massive temple structures and the bright colorful painted embellishments.  

Not knowing where to start, I spent time admiring the details, and figuring out what I wanted to sketch- there was so much beauty all around!  The guide was late in arriving and I was able to sketch out a few pillars and one of the many many smaller temples within the Temple complex,  saving the watercolor wash for later.  

Travel Sketches : A Gift to Myself !

Festival Cart all decked up, Pen and watercolor by Meera Rao 

I have sketches from my trip in January and February to India and London that I somehow forgot to post.  But then, unfortunately I also have ignored this blog in the past month and have to make up for it !! I am hoping to  relive the travels that we were able to enjoy just before Covid quarantine as I post these sketches ! 

When in India we visited Sri Rangam and Tiruchirapalli in the state of Tamil Nadu for a family event and I spent a couple of hours sketching at the temple premises. The temple which is many centuries old occupies an area of 155 acres (63 ha) with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions, and many water tanks integrated into the complex making it the world's largest functioning Hindu temple. We were lucky to get a great tour even in the limited time we had, courtesy of my cousin Vrinda and her husband Ramanan who have published a wonderful book of photography and temple history "Sri Rangam: Bhooloka Vaikuntam".   

This is the Festival cart all decked up ready for the major festival next day. The huge wooden structure is elaborately carved and decorated with colorful, embroidered cloth curtains and flags. I sketched it as we waited for the start of another festival ceremony the evening before. It is one of the few times I have sketched under the watchful eyes of a small crowd of  devotees who were also lined up and waiting. As I balanced the sketchbook  in one hand and drew standing up in the dim light of the setting sun, I could hear comments and some approval as the sketch evolved :)  I had just enough time to complete the pencil drawing and did the watercolor wash at home.  I included the father and daughter in the drawing for scale to highlight the massive structure ! 

Fleeting Vignettes

 

Showing my art at Poquoson Public Library 

       Showing my art at Poquoson Public Library

Showing my art Poquoson Public Library

Sixteen of my watercolors "Fleeting Vignettes"  are on exhibit at the Poquoson Public Library for the month of August.  In June I participated in the #30x30directwatercolor challenge to create 30 paintings in 30 days in direct watercolor without sketching ahead of time.  I would call it a success as all these sixteen paintings were from that exercise! And I even sold one painting so far :) 

I made myself paint values, shapes and entertain only a few significant details. Pushing to finish a painting a day with no preliminary drawings forced me to be very mindful of sweet spots,  compositions, and especially values. I found myself sifting through my reference photos trying to find those that I could paint without sketching (or sometimes with minimal perspective dots or markings) ahead of time. I discovered to my surprise I was not painting with abandon and it was nerve wracking at times. I definitely painted some subjects I would not have considered before and was pretty pleased with the results! I painted on 100% cotton rough watercolor paper I had bought in India couple of years ago and it was fun to see them all lined up at the end of the month and see my accomplishment. Even though I was exhausted by the end, the challenge I feel was a very worthwhile to participate in. Because of sheltering in place, I ended up framing them all myself!  

I am so glad Marc Taro Holmes started the challenge. This is my second time participating in the month long challenge which in my case extended a week beyond a month to make up for missed  days I could not help.  Surf on over to my Instagram @artbymeera to see all my 30 paintings or to the facebook group  #30x30directwatercolor (link above) to see all the attempts by hundreds of participants.  If you are in my neck of the woods, please do stop by the library and check out the paintings.  I am donating half the price of sold paintings to the Food Bank.   

Ancient Connections

Pelicans ink 5x8” by Meera Rao 

These birds fly, swoop, plunge dive, and skim the waters in groups, hunting for fish in the river.  They are never close enough or still enough for me to see all their beautiful details. Even their silhouettes have been a challenge to capture. I focused my binoculars and watched them for hours as I to tried to sketch their shapes. I finally had to shoot videos on my phone as they continued their activities. I resorted to  freeze frames as my reference to finally draw their outlines and silhouettes - that’s how I saw them anyway as dark shapes against the blue winter sky and water. 

The Brown Pelicans  (Pelicanus occidentalis Linnaeus) are considered the smallest of the 8 living species and have a wingspan of 6-7’. Pelicans are ancient birds with fossils going back to 30 million years! No wonder they have a long history and are hence steeped in mythology. 

Patient Pelican watercolor 6x7” by Meera Rao 

Patient Pelican is a painting from few years ago when I was able to see one up-close at the Virginia Living Museum.  Checking back on that blog post refreshed my memory of my experiments  painting grays. 

Then, I went surfing the web for this funny limerick on Pelican that I remembered from my school days ;) 

A wonderful bird is the pelican, 

His bill will hold more than his belican,

He can take in his beak

Enough food for a week 

But I’m damned if I see how the helican! 

~ Dixon Lanier Merritt~ 

Tranquil Beauty

Water Lilies watercolor  22x30" By Meera Rao 

tranquil beauty

in the water, out of the mud

 untouched by neither

a creative light

within. 

~Meera Rao~

Wishing everyone a tranquil, beautiful, creative 2020 untouched by the muck around.  

Check here for importance and symbolism of lotus flower in Hinduism, here for its role in Buddhism,  here for its place in Chinese culture, here  for information about Lotus in religious art in Eastern religions, and here for its significance in ancient Egyptian culture. What a special flower !!!