More Women

In progress women paintings.

I'm still getting back into the groove of things.  You may be thinking that it's taking me a while to adjust. And it is. But keep in mind we also moved to another state in a very different region of the country.

As you may know I also had a small detour in Brazil for two months teaching English and art.

Now that I am back I am excited to start creating artwork again. People seemed to really like the women n sarees that I painted. I also like to paint them which is convenient. So I am continuing with this theme of women and the mixing of cultures...can't wait to share some new stuff.

The photos shows a few of my in progress paintings.

Creative Photography: Weekly photo Challenge

This week's Weekly Photo Challenge is Creative Photographs

Fireworks in New Delhi India

Ella: Any reason is a good reason to shoot off fireworks in India...
 
Me (to Ella): Let's celebrate being in India by shooting off fireworks

One of my favorite days in Delhi was concluded by shooting off fire works and drinking King Fisher. 

In between touristy activities, time and workshops at Sanskriti Kendra, art galleries and museums we were able to spend time with two artists that my professors had lived next to and had gotten to know while they lived in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It was great for several reasons. It felt like it was a truly genuine Delhi experience. Also, Ella and Prashanto's neighbors had just moved out the day before we went to hang out so we even spent a couple days in our professors old house.

Before shooting fireworks we walked from their place to the market, bougt ingredients for supper, ate kabobs, visited the ATMs with AC, went into a couple temples, and even purchased drinks at the liquor store, which as women in Delhi late at night was quite the experience.  

After supper we shot fireworks and returned to where we were staying, beautiful Sanskriti.

The Locust Effect and The Problem of Poverty

The main topic in “The Locust Effect” breaks my heart. It is basically the argument that I made for my final project in my Ethical Philosophy of Global Justice class.

Violence and crime affect the poor. Trafficking, rape, and other forms of violence are problem of an unequal distribution of resources.

Though this book is specific to the developing world, it was seeing this poverty in my backyard as a kid that helped me to really see the problem of poverty for what it is.

Henna 'n' Sarees

Felicia Follum Sketches and Hand Drawn Greeting Card

The past couple weeks I have been spending a good amount of time looking at henna designs and creating some greeting cards inspired by the women we saw in India. Both the shape on the cards (and several paintings) and the delicate henna patters remind me of the elegant beauty that Indian women possess.

As we traveled on the trains I kept seeing women in saris walking along side the road, in a field, or even thought a pile of trash. The women in their beautifully colored and elaborately detailed fabrics created a unique elegance. The saris, in most settings, stood out from the architectural or prairie landscapes. I absolutely loved the repetition of the shape.

When I came back and found a quick watercolor painting I had in my sketch book I was in awe. I sculpted, I drew, and I painted...and I still am creating more images based on that same idea.

In addition to the Indian Woman shape I love the delicate designs that India was covered in, especially those used to decorate women's hands a feet for weddings and other holidays. The patterns appear to be influenced by old Indian art styles such as miniature paintings of Gods and Goddesses that people use in their homes as a part of their pooja.

Felicia Follum Chalk Pencil Drawings

The begining of our trip was spent in Delhi, Old and New. In the Handi-Crafts Museum I spent a large amount of time in the miniatures section, just looking at the texture and patterns in the gutters and the various repeating shapes and symbols. Some that stood out included the peacock, snake and lotus flower composed of thin lines.

Throughout the trip and even upon returning to the US, I continued to see these shapes repeated on paintings, sculptures and in henna designs. The sketch in the photo above was inspired by henna designs. Though I am not sure what will come out of all these henna and pattern sketches, I am excited to continue designing as I am sure I will know exactly how to use the patterns when the time comes.