Hi there
.... home from two weeks of wonderful adventures in India with group leaders Karen (my yoga teacher) and Kay, whose knowledge and experience of India provided a unique introduction to the richly layered history, culture and spiritual life that is "India"! Their warmth and support for us all made every day and every adventure special!
There were so many new experiences for me ...
rickshaw ride through the old markets in New Delhi ... somewhat hair-raising!
the Taj Mahal at dawn ... oh so beautiful and so moving;
home stay in Haridwar away from the usual tourist areas - beautiful home cooked food, Holi Festival of colours, cooking demonstrations, henna painting!
Temple visits and an amazing Fire Ceremony on the banks of the Ganges;
Rishikesh - the home of yoga, ashrams, yoga devotees, students and seekers from around the world!
the beautifully placid and ever present sacred cows and
the mighty river Ganges considered the holiest of rivers .... and ' Ma Ganga' - goddess of purification and forgiveness!
India has left a lasting impression! In contrast to the crowds, chaos, colour, pattern and noise there is an underlying calm, an acceptance of 'the way things are' and a sense of harmony that makes this place very special ....
Here are a few of my favourite images from the trip ...
Back to Work
After a few weeks catching up with some sleep and getting back into running order, I am back in the studio!
While I did take a sketchbook etc with me on the trip, there was always something new to see or do, so the sketchbook remains untouched! There are however many, many photographs!
So with India very much on my mind, I have started playing with some small collages inspired by India ....
15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 ins) on watercolour paper
Acrylic paint, found and made collage papers, pencil, ink
Out and About
I have also been busy making fabric flowers for the RedBerry Quilt Show on the first weekend in May.
If you are in the vicinity I will be there each day, at least for part of the day ... please come and say 'hello' and enjoy the quilts and perhaps a cuppa with homemade treat!
Thank you for reading, your time and support are much appreciated ....
CC Always