Walrus Tea. Version 2

One Sunday morning, while having my instant fix of Masala Dosa at Shiv Sagar, I noticed before me, two enormous men partaking their morning Chai. The scene grew misty before my eyes and when the mist cleared I saw two Walrus dwarfing the table at which they were seated while delicately sipping from tiny cups of Shiv Sagar Chai.

Version-1 of Walrus Tea was done on a small sheet of Canson paper very carefully trying to stuff two enormous Walrus into a tiny space. The effort shows in those tight lines. 

This one, Version-2, was done on an enormous sheet of Sultanpet paper. The space allowed me to use Chunky Charcoal the way it should be used - with plenty of strength and loose arm movements.

At the end of it all, I felt I'd run a marathon.

Bamboo

How to Grow Clouds

“It takes a lot of work: it is necessary to weed very carefully, to toss out muck and small stones by hand, to kneel on the earth, bend over, dig about in the soil, water profusely, collect caterpillars, exterminate aphids, loosen the ground and serve the earth; when your back hurts from all this and you straighten up and look at the sky, you will have the prettiest clouds.”

~ Karel Capek, translated by Andrew Malcovsky 

Love in Benglur

I am not even going to attempt to translate this into English lest it dilute the flavour and humour that is inherent in the language. For non-Kannada speakers - the young Romeo has tried out a shady pick-up line and the disinterested babe has rebuffed him. 

Edge

For Illustration Friday

Thank you

At the start of 2012, I remember the terror that encompassed me at the thought of facing big challenges that had to be faced, the fear of the unknown, the desperation for everything to ‘be all right’. At the beginning of 2013, I look back at the past year as a year well lived, of challenges dealt with successfully and of actions taken decisively. Once again there is a sense of well being and happiness and faith in the goodness of a benevolent universe.

As last year, I consider myself blessed by the love and support of all the wonderful people who came into my life in 2012. I met every single one of my Indian blog friends, I was showered with good food made by friends who cooked for me, I explored exciting places, did amazing things, unexpectedly had my work appreciated in print, even had my first ride in Namma Metro and nixed the mysteries of online transactions.  All the many varied experiences made for a rich and fulfilling year.

‘Give thanks’ reminded one blogger. And I do, all the time, every joyful moment.

To all of you who read my blog, who stop by to comment, who have written to me telling me how much my posts mean to you, THANK YOU. I have realized with time that it is not the number of followers that matter but the friendships that have been created through this blog that are worth their weight in gold. The Plum Tree exists because of you.

Happy New Year.

Images from 2012