“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso. As a child, whenever we visited the famous Kailash Temple of Ellora, I felt awestruck with its beauty and precision. Apart from the obvious ‘how did they do it’ question, what made me wonder most was its unaltered connection with us, centuries later. Isn’t it why art is called timeless? Building on Picasso’s quote above, could the dust of our everyday life be similar to the one all those years ago too? Why and how else would our souls find peace and relevance with it still?

I unabashedly accept that I’m not an art snob. Famous names don’t impress me, nor do the undeserving price tags attached to them. Simple heartfelt work that reflects honesty and isn’t complicated for the sake of it is enough to get my nod. I would like to believe that my art (my words and now my brush) too touches a chord with others.

If you remember, I had shared my wall oil paintings with you some time ago. They garnered a lot of appreciation from everyone and I was super stoked to try more! My new study with its spotless white walls quickly became my favourite canvas and I excitedly swooshed my magic wand on it. What appeared on it is out for all to see!

Warli art is an old folk art created by tribal people in the Sahyadri range in the northern part of Maharashtra. It comprises simple geometric designs like triangles and circles and depicts rituals and scenes from everyday life. One can find these designs inside and outside the walls of village huts. Nowadays Warli art is very popular in home décor items like paintings, metal frames as well as crockery.

Needless to say, I had to give it a try. I was looking forward to creating my own Warli art on the study wall and looked up some designs I could do justice to. I made a simple pencil outline to get the proportions right and finished it with acrylic colours. Interestingly, Angel animatedly kept me company, clicked pictures, and said that I reminded her of Maara. Yeah, she’s fascinated by wall paintings, it seems. You aren’t biased like she is (her WOWs and OMGs won’t stop!) about her Mamma. Did I do it well?

Art has been called by various names over the years and is found in everything from mundane things to elaborate settings. Personally, it has helped me find myself. It is therapy for the troubled, a way of expression for the voiceless, and a release for curbed souls. Artists have often used it as a weapon to rebel, revolt, and guide. Is that why the world over and as far as history can go, people have unsuccessfully tried to restrict art in shackles? What do you think?

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon

© This site A Vibrant Palette is the property of Varsha Bagadia. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Varsha Bagadia and A Vibrant Palette with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.