Monday, August 15, 2011

The Growing Wall




It was a blisteringly warm Monday morning. India's 64th Independence Day, nevertheless. And I'd found my home facing the back compound wall on which I'd been growing my wall mural but had touched for 5 months. My brother wanted the table blue but Mom didn't know that she could use the acrylic paint I had since Christmas to paint on wood. Plus, he'd already finished varnishing it maroon. So, I picked up the blue painted and painted the shelf instead. Its a startlingly bright blue, but I love the warmth it exudes. I couldn't help myself, but as soon as i'd finished the shelf, i made a bee-line for the back wall. The can of blue acrylic paint in hand, and a rather large brush. The first part of the mission was cover up from the first attempt. The first time i started painting the back wall, I had really tiny brushes so by the time I had finished the centre piece, I was tired but didn't want to stare a copious amounts of blank peach stone walls. So blotched it with my infamous handprinting technique. It was all going to change in a few minutes. And, It did! The texture of the stone wall allowed me to create a something that on parchment would take me forever to master. I could feel the stone speaking to me. I could feel their sighs of relief that they were not just beige or peach but they were going to be worth much more when I was done for the day. The blue really popped in the sunlight and the purplish brown held the pulse together. I could take my own roots finding its ground. I could feel myself reach out to the Earth and be one with Her even if it was just for a lil bit.