rainboeliza

Current Reads: Gitanjali

2012-01-29T09:44:00.000+05:30

I Thought that my voyage had come to its end at the last limit of my power, -that the path before me was closed, that provisions were exhausted and the time come to take shelter in a silent obscurity.

But I find that thy will knows no end in me. And when old words die out on the tongue, new melodies break forth from the heart; and where the old tracks are lost, new country is revealed with its wonders. - Gitanjali

India: Open House

2012-01-28T23:24:00.000+05:30

A brief open house to feature the work I've been making the last month while doing an art residency at Chhaap in Vadodara, India. It will include, of course, the Daily Lino India Project, a series of embossments that embellishes and mingles the Daily Lino Ind...ia/Korea imagery and a few other things.

There will also be work from by lovely students Siddharth Sengupta, Dhruvika Solanki, Shazia Mohib, Aditi Pande and Vikram Arora who took my Mixed Media or Time With Rainbow workshop.

You should stop by if you can. . . Although, I'm sure most of you are far, far away! In which case, I will see some of you soon, as my return to the United States of America is February 1st!

Also, don't forget, you can find me on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/rainboelizas

India: Sharing the Studio

2012-01-23T10:59:00.002+05:30

My colleague and Pont Aven classmate, Vikram, was able to get away from work for a few days and spend quality time in the Chhaap studio making an edition of triptych prints to compliment his up coming exhibition in Mumbai. His installation, Under the Table, is a comment about the ongoing corruption throughout India. He chose to do a linoleum carving, that was later used to emboss his paper, for a more subtle approach to the topic.

Overall, not only was he productive by creating the series and learning new techniques, but we had such a good time catching up and reminiscing from our time at PASCA. Aditi, the coordinator for Chhaap (and my newly befriended pal) joined us for a few sessions of carving and chai time as well. Together, I’m certain our laughing could be heard around the block. . .

[ vikram hard at work ]

[ 1/3 from "under the table" ]

[ aditi hard at work ]

[ under the table 1, 2, 3 ]

India: Sweet Treats & Measuring

2012-01-21T20:45:00.000+05:30

[ ice cream! by the side of the road. . .

first it’s measured, then it’s eaten. delicious! ]

India: Residency Glimpse

2012-01-21T09:05:00.001+05:30

[ A glimpse into what’s been happening at Chhaap! ]

It’s been much harder to break back into colour then I ever thought imaginable. Here is a print from a series I’ve been working on. Can you see? Can you spot the little bit of colour I’ve managed?

Plus, this is far from the work I imagined making here in India. Apparently, Korea’s cuteification has taken over my brain. . . Or, at least for the time being. It's nice to be reinventing and "blowing up" the imagery from the Daily Lino project though.

Daily Lino: India-5

2012-01-20T23:38:00.002+05:30

Inspired By

[ from top to bottom, left to right ]

1. YOU'RE THE KEY : It seems these locks are on nearly every door I've noticed both on the inside and outside. I had an interesting conversation with a new friend and her mother about it. I was sort of sketched out by it because technically, anyone can lock you in any room with no way to get out thanks to bars (and of course these locks) on every window.

2. SPOOL : A little commemoration for the Gujarati Kite Festival.

3. IRON : I was in dire need of an iron and once one was purchased for me, it was love at first sight. I will not, however keep this little gem, but rather donate it for future Chhaap Residency folks.

4. BABY : A new friend's cousin had a baby and she took me to a special ceremony for the new little guy. Pretty fascinating stuff!

5. FRUIT WALLA : On nearly every corner there is a cart of some sort or another and I'm intrigued not only by the craftiness of the carts, but by the many different kinds of fruits I have never seen before.

6. Barred In : This doesn't do the beautiful old city, Baroada, metalwork justice by any means. Nor is it a great representation of bars on the residency's windows. But it is an abstract symbol of it. Depending on my time, I may give it another, more detailed, go. On another note, I always feel caged in and locked up around here - no pun intended - for real.

7. CIRCLE SYMBOL : Ah, just another abstraction patterned lino.

8. SUPPORT BEAMS : I was feeling extremely frustrated for a good number of reasons, while simultaneously intrigued by the tree trunks supporting cement construction work as I walked along to ease my mind. I decided it was clearly a sign that I needed some good solid support somewhere in my world.

India: Fast Lane

2012-01-17T21:05:00.002+05:30

[ in reality, there are no lanes and all driving is fast. . . ]

Arc-en-ciel: Illustrative Puns

2012-01-17T07:46:00.000+05:30

[ images found from all over the web and a bit altered at times to fit the formate ]

India: In the Bag

2012-01-15T21:13:00.000+05:30

[ from this . . . ]

[ to this ]

Daily Lino: India-4

2012-01-11T21:13:00.001+05:30

Inspired By

[ from top to bottom, left to right ]

1. UP-CYCLING : As part of the workshop, I showed my students how to make their own paper bags. So simple - A pair of scissors, a little glue, a ruler, some newspaper and a lightweight box from the garbage.

2. HALF CIRCLE ABSTRACT : Wanted to try something but kept getting interrupted and lost my train of thought. May work into a little more in a few. . .

3. MASTER PIECE : I specially made this for my students in the Mixed Media workshop. I, and they, caught me using this phrase quite frequently and jokes have been flying.

4. RICKSHAW : Dang I love these. To own one would be magical and to ride in one is an adventure for sure. . . Open to the world, this is a do not miss life time experience, and by far one of my favorite Indian-isms thus far.

5. BEEP : Where do I begin with this one? Forget lanes or turn signals, beeping is the quintessential element to Indian driving. . .

6. GOOD FOR HEALTH : This was often a humorous talking point in Korea and, should my expats be here with me, it would be one in India too. I don't know why we get such a good chuckle out of it, but do we ever. Every native of the respective country wants you to try or give you things that are 'good for health'. What do we say in the states? I think it's just "It's good for you," yes? In any case, it's about time this made it into the Daily Lino Mix.

7. INKING TABLE : The mixed media workshop I'm giving went from two days to five, and now it has extended to seven. . . The students are ever so hard at work, and so we've spent a good amount of time around this table chatting, inking, partaking in tea, and most importantly, experimenting.

Arc-en-ciel: Workplace

2012-01-10T19:28:00.000+05:30

India: Early Morn Mumbai

2012-01-09T20:15:00.000+05:30

Baggage: Wrap Up

2012-01-08T10:57:00.001+05:30

[ baggage in a nut shell ]

Another year has come and gone. . .

Thanks to all the participants for another great exchange.

Till the inks start slinging again . . .

Daily Lino: India-3

2012-01-05T18:28:00.002+05:30

Inspired By

[ from top to bottom, left to right ]

1. CHAOS : First impression. . . What else can I say?

2. LUNCH : In a bag - truly - even soup and they were all tied with just a little white string - not even a knot.

3. CHAI WALLA : Ah, I love the boy or man who walks around and offers me chai. Okay, really I just love the chai and that it is offered to me all the time.

4. EQUANIMITY : This word may live in my brain for ages to come. It was constantly repeated during the meditation. I am not sure I've ever heard it before and felt I needed a little clarification on exactly what it meant, so I asked my teacher. He just repeated exactly what was on the tape and instantly I was annoyed. Then I had to remind myself, just as the tape always did, "This to shall pass."

5. RELAX : While my friend went to pick up his in-laws from the train station, I had the morning to myself. Later when we all got together, everyone was so sleepy; lounging around taking naps. I was glad to see that it's not just my family that gets the sleep-ies when we finally get together. I think it must be all the rushing around to make it/prepeare for each other that by the time we connect we're exhausted, and since we're family we think, "They'll understand - They're family."

6. PRESS : The Chhaap press - ou la la! At last, a big press to make big prints! Hmm, why is it I've spent the first four days making only mini prints and wishing for my baby press? Time to switch modes!

7. NIGHT TRAIN : Another excellent night on the train. You get on. You're given sheets in a brown bag, a blanket and a pillow. Then the lights are turned off, the curtins are pulled and everyone snoozes till we reach our morning destination. So cheap = So nice.

India: Hotel

2012-01-05T18:19:00.002+05:30

[ going down and out ]

[ heading up and in ]

Daily Lino: India-2

2012-01-04T18:23:00.000+05:30

Inspired By:

[ from top to bottom, left to right ]

This one is a little unique as it was from the time period of my Vipassana Meditation stay at Dhamma Setu in Chennai, India. I was not to speak or acknowledge others, which they called Nobel Silence. No meals past 12, but we could have some chai and fruit. Plus no reading, writing or listening to music, which clearly meant no carving or sketching either. We sat for ten hours a day meditating and on the fourth day they introduced a new technique that required three hour long sessions of determination per day, which meant no moving at all - period.

There was/is a lot more to it then that and if you'd like to read more about it, here is a link VIPASSANA. They have centers all over the world. They are free ~ and some find this to be a wonderful life changing technique. I wanted to be one of those people, but, I'm afraid, at least this round, it simply is not for me. Rather humorously, at the end of the meditation the teacher came up to me and told me I was the happiest one there ~ always with a smile on my face. . . Ha ha, just wait till you read the days musings!

Anyway, it was a challenge deciding how to represent these days. I decided that simplicity was the best option due to the nature of the meditation and choose the typical marking of days - a strike. The length of the strike depended on how I was feeling. Can you take a guess, from the random musings, or at least the ones I could remember, what the different lengths mean?

1. DAY ONE : Crap! I'm late for my first meditation. Totally didn't hear the bell when they rang it at four! Okay, this feels like it's going to last forever.

2. DAY TWO : Dude, I am not okay with all of these mosquito bites. I've already counted twenty seven and the day isn't even over yet. Sweet - come for enlightenment, leave with malaria. So fun. "Oh hello little friend!" (oops, i broke the no speaking rule - does speaking to the little frogs living in my sink count?) What's this non-secular crap? All were talking about is Buddha. Not that I'm not into Buddha, but I'm really not into joining some ridiculous cult.

3. DAY THREE : Hmm, this isn't too bad, meals are tasty and I'm lovin' that chai! "Ah, Hello Mr. Lizard, welcome to my humble home." (failing miserably at this nonspeaking bit.)

4. DAY FOUR : Yes! First three days of training over! Bring on this new technique! I've already mastered the other. Vipassana, Vipassana, Vipassana ououou! Sounds like Mufasa, Mufasa, Mufasa (from the Lion King!) Oh yeah man, this is totally making sense now. It's not about becoming a Buddhist. Yeah, I'm totally into this now - makes so much sense. Everyone really should be doing this - Peace, Harmony, Love ~ Oh how I love the way he says it! He has such a wonderful voice. Though, sometimes I would really prefer riping the speakers off the wall and smashing them - mmm, but that is only because I feel like I'm going to explode from sitting two more seconds. Look, see, right! The problem is not him, it is me! I am such a problem.

5. DAY FIVE : Determination meditation epic fail. So in pain, tears were streaming down my face - do I mention a little snot too, and because I couldn't move. . . Well, it wasn't pretty. Whoa man, this just broke me. Unable to walk for a few minutes afterward and in agony. Packing the bags, I am so out of here. So many other places in India I want to see. Maybe I'll wait around for my last free chai first. Yum! Hmm, maybe it was just the position I was sitting in. I should try to stick it out - I am already halfway. Huge grin, success round two!

6. DAY SIX : Excellent, just day dream and the time passes like a river flowing by - always changing - just as he says!

7. DAY SEVEN : I really shouldn't be daydreaming. It's really not what I should be doing, but dang, I am enjoying myself. Oh man that chai smells so delicious!

8. DAY EIGHT : Okay, I must try to get more serious. I will only daydream for part of the time. So failing at this. . . So sick of this crap. That lady needed help just now and I could help because I'm supposed to ignore her. This sucks. I want to be able to help people if they need it. This is such a selfish meditation! Freaking mosquitos!

9. DAY NINE : Oh dear God this is so hard. . . Is it almost over yet? I am totally failing this miserably. I don't know If I really believe this is helpful or not. Man oh days my back hurts! Screw this, I'm gonna help that lady. You know, I think I already feel the things he's talking about. I think I don't really need this - I've already found ways to balance myself in the ongoing flow. Huh, but I definitely could use some work in some ares. . . Too bad I wasted most of my time daydreaming. Ah, but that was helpful in other ways. Well, I guess I got what I needed for the time out of this.

10. DAY TEN : Whoa. Wait. What? Speaking? Do we have to? I'm not ready yet. I don't wanna go yet! Thank God we can stay one more night and pretend the real world doesn't exist. Bring on the morning chai!

India: Roasted Corn

2012-01-03T19:39:00.001+05:30

[ salt + red pepper + lemon = delicious ]

Daily Lino: India-1

2012-01-03T19:07:00.000+05:30

Inspired by:
[ from top to bottom, left to right ]

1. RAINBOW TREKER : I get just about every comment under the sun referring to the fact that I am a female foreigner traveling alone with such a big bag. It seems only right to have a self depicting image. I am, after all, a strange and curious being.

2. BURNING GHATS : I wish I would have planned a longer stay in Varanasi, (one of the holiest cities in India), but at least I was able to track down another trust worthy foreigner (I think his name was Jon? huh, I cannot remember now. . ) who was willing to rent a boat on a moments notice to see the burning ghats along the Ganges at night.

3. ST. MARY'S : I was quite blessed to be able to visit with a friend from Pont-Aven and he took me to one of his favorite places near his home in Mumbai, St. Mary's. A lovely church with a special devotional area for Mary. It is customary for one to purchase some candles from the many vendors at the bottom, climb the stairs to light them (+ say a prayer should you feel inclined) and gaze at the sea on the way down ~ mystical.

4. COLLABORATION : The same friend has a painting studio and we managed a little time to bust out a collaborative painting. It was rather fun and freeing.

5. DRUM : Ah, I, as a foreigner, am like a beacon of hope for all and every person in India, or at least that is how it feels. On one particular occasion, a man followed me for, I kid you not, at least thirty minutes trying to sell me a drum. How the heck am I going to manage a drum when my luggage was already packed tight? No matter what I said the the man, including a flat out, "NO, I've got no space or need for a drum," he continued on and on till he went from 500 rupees to free. Feeling guilty, I gave the man a hundred and fifty rupees for the drum and told him, in nice words, to get lost. Phew! So now, I own a drum.

6. PEDDLERS : Always they say to me, "Just look, no buy." Clearly they are persuasive with their selling tactics and just as soon as you go see, you buy.

7. OLD SCHOOL COMPUTERS : I get a chuckle out of these old dinosaurs hanging out everywhere. I do not get a kick out of the fact they are working better then my own. Boo.

8. TRAIN RIDE : I do love riding the trains - especially the overnight ones. How disappointed I was when I couldn't get on the Chennai to Mumbai train and had to fly. Both my wallet and sense of adventure where desperately hurt.

9. LIGHT SWITCHES : Oops! The image is upside down here. Anyway, these are hard not to take notice of. There are soooooooo many switches everywhere with more then one panel per room and for just about everything you can imagine - water, heat, hot water, electric, fans, a dozen lights, the mosquito plugin . . . And on and on!

10: METAL CUP : Similar to Korea, but significantly more so, India uses mostly stainless steel dishes. I really love this and it makes good practical sense - particularly after you've been here. During my ten day silent meditation, part of what kept me going was the smell of chai, which told me it was soon break time. It was served in tall metal cups with a flair at the top to hold on to so you won't burn your fingers.

India: From Laying to Leaping

2011-12-31T11:21:00.001+05:30

Baggage: Sarah Bucke

2011-12-31T07:32:00.000+05:30

Hair a Nice Day

________________________________________________

Carved Relief Print on Paper Bag

[ Find Sarah ]

last year's exchange
website

India: Collaborative Creations

2011-12-30T12:14:00.000+05:30

[a moment in my friend Vikram's studio for a little painting action]

[ classic ]

[ canvas ]

[ collaborative creation ]

Baggage: Liz Bucke

2011-12-29T07:23:00.000+05:30

Picnic

________________________________________________

Carved Relief Print

[ Find Liz ]

last year's exchange

Lust a Small Space: Sydney Shed

2011-12-29T05:30:00.000+05:30

Oh to be able to visualize and bring to life the nearly forgotten broken down. . .

[ from Dornob ]

Baggage: Claire Siepser

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000+05:30

Baggage

________________________________________________

Letterpress & Carved Relief Print

[ Find Claire ]

website

India: Nooks & Crannies

2011-12-26T16:47:00.000+05:30