Great joy in a small thing

This is a painting I did for a good friend. When I was in the UK, there was only one person who would call me very regularly from India. It was this friend. Most of these phone calls would end up in us howling with laughter, as we would talk all kinds of nonsense and silly things, which we both would find hilarious.For me, it was a welcome break from my writing, which was truly emotionally exhausting. (when you read my second book you will know why).

We still keep up the phone calls and the good thing now is that we're in the same time zone, unlike when I was in the UK, when I had to keep checking what time it would be for him, in India. Now I can just pick up my phone and call him whenever I feel like.


This painting  is done in acrylic on canvas.It measures 17" x 12". (A3 size). The beauty of it is that, it is done using ONLY three colours.All the myriad shades of blue are obtained by mixing just three basic colours--Prussian blue, Titanium White and Ivory Black. I loved the blues in the picture.

When I finished painting it, I called him and told him about it. Then I told him that I would also get it framed for him. In my usual, honest and frank manner I told him breezily "I will choose a frame for you which will go well with almost any decor. You will not know what frame to choose--and a wrong frame can really kill the beauty of the picture."
He was silent for a minute and then he laughed and said "Thank you very much for your supreme confidence in my ability to choose a frame."

"What do you know? As though you will be able to choose. You are not an Artist. You know only to make money," I shot back.( He is employed at an International Bank).


He laughed and said I was right.

A right frame truly enhances a picture. The variety of frames that are available  in the market (try getting something framed) is indeed mind boggling.
I was glad I chose this one. (an ornate one or a dark frame would have not suited this picture at all).

The picture is now ready to hang and my friend was super-thrilled with it.

So am I.

Strange, how small little things give you such disproportionate joy! Maybe that is the magic of Art.Or who knows, perhaps the magic of friendship. Either ways, I am happy to create  a thing of beauty that will last for centuries.It is such a heady experience and I am thankful I have my Art.


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PS:
Flipkart has a  really nice policy of offering huge discounts on Best-sellers. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my book 'Life is what you make it' is now priced at just Rs.60/- ! What is more, for those wary of ordering my credit card online, you can just pay cash on delivery! You call them, they deliver and you pay cash. I have ordered many books through them and they are really prompt. The books usually reach you on the 3rd day.