Five of the Finest

The first meeting about the event was held on one Saturday and we were all set-up and open by the next...that is how crazy we artists are...And I thank God that we are like that...And I am emphasing the 'we' here because I am somewhat pleased (almost glad) to know that I am not the only artist that has crazy ideas and likes to run with them...I now know for a fact that there are at least 4 more of them on this earth!

Yes I am talking about about the 'Five of the Finest'! It is a collaborative art exhibition cum sale organised and run by 5 artists residing in the West of Melbourne. (For details click here)

It all happened when I was having tea with 'M' one fine afternoon. I was, as usual  thinking aloud and then like magic the thoughts took shape and out came my trustee 'to do' diary. (Trust me, that diary lists things like... 'Buy 1 kg Carrot' and 'Visit the Northern Lights' all in the same page!) I scribbled down a few ideas and there I was planning and plotting in my mind the whole evening! I woke up in the middle of the night with complex plans going on in my head and could not go back to sleep...it was like 200 excited kids talking at the same time inside my brain!

The next day I walked into the management office of the venue and then it all fell into place quite rapidly...It was unreal!  I then had the task of  getting a few fellow artists on-board!

That Saturday afternoon with a group of artists at the local cafe was the most enlightning time I have had in years! The feeling of being in the same boat, the realisation that I don't think 'like that' alone, the mere acceptance of the idea, and the gratitude of the others all lead to a state of euporia that fueled an extreme energy. The energy to push myself (beyond my normal 40 hrs job and home-front with M, I and J) to get this whole event organised in less than a week.

Thanks to all that have been involved the exhibition is now OPEN!
Below is a photograph of the Five Crazy Artists at the Launch Party!

From left - Uma Barry, Anindita Banerjee (Dita), Janet Knight, Ivana Pinaffo, Virginia Coghill

Volatile Melancholy

There are so many things in life that I choose not to think about in whole...but when I actually do think about them I get so melancholic that often packing them away in the out-of-reach, out-of-sight, top-most shelf seems to be the best way to go. 

Baba has very willingly stayed back a few extra weeks to take care of I while he waits for school to start so that M and me could go back to work after the Christmas break. Yes you heard right. School! Little I starts 'big-boys' school this year. Time flies. Just the other day Ma was down in Chicago to help me out for the first few weeks after I was born! And now as if with a blink that little fellow is getting ready for school. In no time he will be off to Uni and then will be off to his own place, pursuing his own life and we will be Empty Nesters like Ma and Baba.

And when I come to think of it, Baba got the time to stay back and spend some extra time with us because he has voluntarily retired! But I almost wish he didn't. Not because the extra years of service would be of some financial gain to him or it would keep him busy or anything like that...just because the selfish me would still get to live with the comfort of knowing that my parents are still young and far away from being 'OLD'. Being old has so many different meanings at so many different levels...I don't even want to go there! 

And then when I actually pack these thoughts away it does not look so bleak and forlorn anymore. I is growing up (fast) to be the perfect 'son' that everybody hopes to have. And he is lucky to get to spend this time with his grand-dad. It is that special time of his life which he will probably remember only snippets of, but they sure will be fond memories of a summer well spent! And Baba is able to spend this time with him only because he does not have to go back to his 9am-5pm life and I am sure he will agree that this 'job' is far more exciting and rewarding at the same time.

 

I was lost in these thoughts when I was working on this painting of mine. The sudden bright golds and the foggy silver envelope the tall weeds as if entwining my fleeting thoughts and ephemeral melancholy and capturing them forever liberating me to spring back to my normal joyous self!

 

 



Volatile Melancholy by Dita



What's your resolution for 2013?

I read the following somewhere...

A small truth to make our Life 100% successful

If A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is equal to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:
H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K­ = 8+1+18+4+23+15+­18+11 = 98 (%)

K+N+O+W+L+E+D+G­+E = 11+14+15+23+12+­5+4+7+5 = 96%

L+O+V+E=12+15+22+5=54%

L+U+C+K =12+21+3+11 = 47%

None of them make 100% Then what makes 100% ?

Is it Money? NO!

Leadership? NO!

Every problem has a solution, only if we perhaps change our "ATTITUDE".

It is OUR ATTITUDE towards Life and Work that makes OUR Life 100% Successful..

A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E­ =1+20+20+9+20+21­+4+5 = 100%

...and it got me thinking...Isn't this so true?...The numbers and the calculations maybe just a complicated way of proving the point but the fact makes perfect sense...it is one's attitude that makes or breaks him...What I can do is what I believe I can do!

If I was to decide what colour defines ATTITUDE I dont think I would be able to do it as attitude to me is a relative term...How I tackle each situation that life throws at me varies...each mood significantly different...each conception distinct and each notion disparate! I have tried to capture this essence in this painting of mine...

ATTITUDE towards life by Dita

At the beginning of this new year I therefore resolve to continue with my 'can do' attitude and perhaps do more than I think I can...What is your most important resolution for 2013?

Apologies and some exciting news!

I have not written for a while...and nothing or nobody else is to be blamed but me...Although I have been caught -up with various end-of-year and Christmas activities and have been really busy with I&J there is no excuse for not showing up here and so I apologise to you :)

There are two really exciting things that I would like to mention to you today.

First, I have sucessfully completed my biggest commission of the season and I am so glad to say that the owner is so very happy with the outcome! This is what she had to say -

 "It certainly does speak to me.... You put a lot of effort into it. You have spent lots of hours working on it, but what impresses me is that when I look at it, I feel the passion and love of an artist.....

Now, we will have a piece of your soul in our bedroom!!!"

I was so happy and almost relieved when she said that she liked the painting! Have a look and let me know if you like it!

That next exciting news is that I have finally set-up my Dream Studio. Ma and Baba are arriving in Melbourne day after tomorrow and they will do the honour of 'Opening' the Studio to public. That is when I hope to click pictures to share it with you. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am! It has been a very interesting journey so far...and I cannot wait to see where this Dream of mine takes me!

What is the colour of HOPE?

Hope traditionally is signified by calm colours like white, green and blue...it is usually depicted by amiable symbolism...it's panorama - never outrageous. But, in the last few days HOPE to me has been RED...and I will tell you today why it has been so!

This is the time of the year when the life of every Bengali is taken over by a dream...A dream that in itself is the celebration of life, love, laughter, belief and hope! It is the time of the year when we forget all our woes and celeberate the Durga Puja!

This festivity commemorates Goddess Durga's visit to earth, Her parent's home. On the last day She leaves to be re-united with her husband, Lord Shiva in their heavenly abode. This last day of festivity evokes the feeling of separation that every parent feels when their children leave home.

On this day married women bid a special farewell to the Goddess by smearing vermilion on her forehead and offering sweets and wishing her a safe journey back to her home. They close their eyes in prayer and ask for her divine blessings. They pray for a long and happy married life....And they pray for peace and prosperity for their families...

The RED colour of the Sindur (vermilion), the heavy aroma of the incense, the mirth of the constant drumming, the revelry of the masses, the secret desires of the heart and the apprehension of separation, spells magic on this day....And to me this magic signifies the dominion of hope...The hope that is hidden in every heart...The hope to have a a long and happy married life, the hope for peace and prosperity, the hope to see Goddess Durga again next year...And so Hope is RED!




Sindur by Dita



The Highlights...

Lord Ganesha on wood-chips and Painted Prayers by Dita

How would you react when somebody walked up to your Art Stall at a Fiesta and commented "You have got really 'basic' artwork here...where did you get these shipped from?" Mister...they have all been painted by me...fruits of my labour...my babies!!! Well, I did not say any of the above...I just smiled at his ignorance and politely informed him that they were original art-work created by me and perhaps of a style that was not to his liking....Such was the depth of my first ever experience on the other side of the table at a Fiesta!

However it will be genuinely unfair to highlight the only negative observation (or should I say constructive criticism)! It was a very busy day at the Point Cook Annual Fiesta and I had my fair share of gratification and erudition.

Visitors of all ages browsed my exhibit all through the day and I met with some very nice people who seemed to be really interested in my art-work. It specially felt good when some of the patrons had a survey my work in details, chatted with me and then later brought along their friend, partner or a family member to review some particular piece that they liked best! I also loved to see the eyes of eager kids light up when I spoke to them about my art-work...I wonder whether I would have been able to ask such intriguing questions at their age!

Hand-made CHAI coasters by Dita also part of the paraphernalia

What a pleasure it was to see such interest in colours and art-work in the members of my community specially when I was competing with free rides, face paitings, sausage sizzles and free lemonade on a beautiful sunny day beating the temperamental Melbourne weather!

If you were to ask whether I would do it again...my answer would be "Differently but Definitely"!!!

Point Cook Fiesta...

I am not sure whether I am anxious, excited or plain old restless...but I sure am BUSY!!! I am like this nomadic soul with many pots on the burner at the same time!!! And this time, trust me, it is not because I did not study the whole year...it's just because I have too much on my plate...I am not trying to finish my syllabus at the last minute...I just have a lot to do!...and I am not complaining...I am very very happy about it...Well 'happy' is an understatement...I am elated!...almost intoxicated by the rush this gives me...but I am BUSY!!!

I still need to finish varnishing some of the art-work, cut-up the felt, glue them to the back of the coasters, complete the Painted Prayers, make a list of nick-nacks to buy, buy them, pack them, finalise the lay-out....PHEW...lots to do before I sleep....

Yes, you guessed it! I am preparing for another public event! This time I am participating in the annual Point Cook Fiesta! And I am thrilled...

 I am going to exhibit some of my art-work on Canvas, some Painted Prayers, Painted Coasters and some Greeting Cards... I promise I am going to write in details about all that I have spoken about later...but today it is only going to be just a sneak-peek of the work-in-progress (not because I don't want to show you...just because nothing is really complete yet!)

If you are in Melbourne, please come by. If not, I will post all images here so that you do not miss-out!

Details of the Event:

Point Cook Fiesta

Sunday, October 14th 2012

At the streets within the Town Centre

11am -5pm