a l k e e m i

Just a photo.

2012-02-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

My wheels around town. #IndianBenz

Pinhole photography in Goa.

2012-02-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago, I headed to the famed beach state of Goa with the lovely Danika Cooper to take a seminar on pinhole photography. Goa is stunningly beautiful, teaming with palm trees, lush countryside and (relatively) clean beaches. This is India afterall.

In the workshop we found old cardboard boxes lying around and converted them into pinhole cameras. Making a camera is surprisingly simple. With the help of some black tape, a needle, and a piece of metal from a Coca-Cola bottle, we made ourselves some pretty decent photography equipment. :)

This is my favorite photo my pinhole took. If you look closely, you can see Danika and I sitting on the steps of the house. It took 8 minutes to expose, and then we developed the paper in a dark room.

Have any of you ever made a pinhole camera or done dark room photography? It's my absolute favorite.

A new drawing for your Wednesday.

2012-02-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

Caryatid, 15"x11", Mixed media on paper, 2011

This drawing started out as a lemon tree, then somehow ended up with a chick in it. I love when drawings morph into their own entities.

Click here if you need it on your wall. xo.

Just a photo.

2012-01-31T13:50:00.000-08:00

Camel. #howisthismylife

A new collage for your Monday.

2012-01-30T15:38:00.000-08:00

Just finished this collage using left over chocolate wrappers, cut paper, and random Mother Theresa stamps I found in our closet. The figurine is based on a vintage Hindu temple god that I was given as a gift in Pondicherry.

12"x12", Mixed media and collage on paper affixed to panel, 2012

If you've been following along here you probably know that I don't generally work in collage--however, this one was so fun I might have to do more in the future. Using found materials to create artwork is always such a welcome challenge.

The Taj Mahal

2012-01-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

No trip to India is complete without a visit to the Taj.

Built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his favorite wife, a Persian queen named Mumtaz, this structure is one of the most stunning sites I've ever seen in my life.

The Taj is considered India's grandest symbol of love, attracting millions of newly married couples every year. So when we visited with my parents, our tour guide insisted we all pose for cheesy love shots.

And I don't think they've ever looked cuter.

Have any of you ever made the trek to Agra for a Taj visit?

A new drawing for your Saturday.

2012-01-21T15:16:00.000-08:00

Moo. God bless the Indian cow.

Holy Cows, Ink on paper, 9"x12", 2011

Pretty reminiscent of this painting I made when I first arrived. Both available for sale through Ugallery. Click here if you need it on your wall.

Sari Magic

2012-01-20T04:58:00.000-08:00

Only took 3 hours of youtube to figure out how to tie this baby. And once I did, it's all I wanted to wear.

"The Sari, it is said, was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamt of Woman. The shimmer of her tears. The drape of her tumbling hair. The colors of her many moods. The softness of her touch. All these he wove together. He couldn't stop. He wove for many yards. And when he was done, the story goes, he sat back and smiled and smiled and smiled." (source)

Shopping for saris in India is so. much. fun. Stores like Nallis and Fab India have floor to ceiling piles and piles of colorful saris in every material imaginable and every pattern possible. It takes serious self-discipline not to buy them all. :)

I think when we head back to the States, above all else, I'm going to miss wearing saris the most. They're pure magic.

ps...Vintage photos of how to wrap a sari.

Jaipur + Bombay

2012-01-15T05:49:00.000-08:00

Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is one of my all time favorite spots in India. It's filled with intricate paintings, Moghul architecture, and delicious naan bread. It's also really likely you'll see elephants and cars driving together on the roads, which makes everything so much more enjoyable for some reason.

After Jaipur, we headed over to Bombay for New Years and some city exploring. It was in Bombay that we encouraged my family to step out of their tourist bubble for a day and take a tour of the most densely populated slum in all of India, Dharavi.

[Woman digging through trash, separating plastics out for recycling]

India is nothing if not a country of dichotomies. And perhaps the most obvious one, is the cataclysmic gap between rich and poor. For anyone interested in visiting this crazy sub-continent we call home, I highly recommend making sure you see both sides of India. Most tourists come and go without actually seeing what life is like for nearly 2/3 of the population.

The tour was organized by Be The Local, an organization founded and operated by Dharavi residents. Our guide was a 19 year old college student who was born and raised in the slum. He was awesome.

We learned that the slum is actually a really vibrant center for recycling, pottery, and many other industries. Nearly $1 billion worth of products come out of Dharavi every year. Tragically, very little of that money actually gets funneled back to the hundreds of thousands of people working long hours in these industries. Corruption in India is deeply rooted and ever present. There's no escaping its destructive forces, and in most peoples' opinion, very little hope for future change. Nevertheless, we found beauty where stereotypically there is none, and had our assumptions about "slum-life" challenged and changed.

For more information on Be The Local, visit their website here or read their mention in the NYTimes.

Berlin's "Cloud Cities"

2012-01-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

My brother just got his roll of film from our weekend trip to Berlin developed, and I wanted to share the best parts with you.

A huge thank you to Christine, who sent me wonderful tips about where to go, eat, and see. Our favorite exhibition was "Cloud Cities" by Tomas Saraceno at Hamburger Bahnhof.

Saraceno is an architect by training but has definitely branched into the realm of sculpture and installation. His exhibit was so inviting and allowed us as viewers to interact physically with the piece.

Airplants grew freely in plastic bubbles all interconnected with black thread. It was like entering a modern Hanging Gardens of Babylon. We loved climbing into the bubbles and crawling around inside the giant terrariums.

If you're in the Berlin area, this is not an exhibit to be missed! It's the best 6 euros I ever spent.

[photos by Andisha Croft and Donesh Ferdowsi]

7 cities, 3 countries, 35 days.

2012-01-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of pictures.

I've been sifting through them for days trying to decide what to post, but I'm sure these are still way too many. Each city was so photogenic it makes it hard to decide. But for now, here are a few from Rome and Jaipur. Ciao Bella!

In the beautiful city of Roma we visited the new MAXXI Museum and loved their "Indian Highway" exhibition. Nalini Malani's paintings were such a treat to see in person.

In Rome we met up with my parents and then in true Eat, Pray, Love fashion, flew from Italy to India.

In Jaipur we stayed on the rooftop of Alsisar Haveli, a converted palace hotel. We hit all the tourist stops for my parents (Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, etc.), and even did a little off-roading to visit the famed Samode Palace. Jaipur is pretty much magical.

More to come. But for now our electricity keeps cutting out. #thirdworldproblems

Happy New Years!

2011-12-31T05:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years friends!

Forgive the light posting these past two weeks--Ken and I have been playing tourist and showing my parents around India. We are currently in Mumbai and will be celebrating the near year at Juhu Beach tonight. Woot. :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to 2012 and a solid finish to 2011. Cheers friends!

[photo credit]

I want to be Danish.

2011-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

Copenhagen has quickly become one of my all time favorite cities. The people, the food, the art and design, everything is beautiful and inviting and cozy. I've been trying to figure out how to convert to Danish since my arrival. This country feels like something straight out of a fairytale.

This is an installation my brother found in Finland. Isn't it amazing!? We couldn't figure out who the artist was though--anyone out there with an idea?

Heading to Rome tomorrow for 3 days to meet up with my parents and Ken. Helloooo gelato. :)

[photos by Donesh Ferdowsi]

Favorite Things Part Deux

2011-12-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

5. Oprah. Especially her new Soul Pancake Series on OWN.
6. Bits n' Bobs and all the amazing photographers she finds.
7. Julian Shnabel's bedroom.
8. This amazing pillow by Finnish designers, Klaus Haapaniemi.

ps. Copenhagen is magical. Pictures to come.

Happy birthday Mom!

2011-12-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

This picture just about says it all. Happy birthday to the youngest heart that a 50 something year old body has ever housed. You just might be the cutest person ever. We love you to the moon and back. xoxoxo

Favorites.

2011-12-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

1. The ginger model for Licia Florio's S/S 2012 lookbook.
2. Dasha Shishkin's etchings.
3. Muriel Brandolini's travel photos.
4. The paintings of German artist, Christian Schoeler.

And a huge thanks to Katie Hintz-Zambrano of Refinery 29 for including my painting in her San Francisco Chronicle interview.

Have a happy weekend friends. Three more days 'til Copenhagen and counting. :)

Copenhagen & Berlin

2011-12-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome December! I've been waiting for you all year long. Not only because the holidays are filled with lights and love and presents and sugar, but because I'll be going on some pretty spectacular trips over the next 6 weeks, beginning with Copenhagen on Sunday. Hello western civilization and deodorant--how I've missed you.

After hanging out in 120 degree Indian heat for the past 7 months, I'm not sure my body is ready for Northern Europe in the winter, so I anticipate looking a lot like this little dude.

[via Dash it All]

My younger brother is studying architecture in Copenhagen, and together we'll be traveling through Denmark and taking a weekend trip to Berlin. I've never been to either city and would LOVE love love to hear any and all recommendations you have about what to do-see-eat-not eat-etc. Especially anything art/design related. Thank you!

A new painting for your Tuesday.

2011-11-29T01:26:00.000-08:00

Bloody Knees, mixed media on handmade paper, 30"x23", 2011

Happy my favorite holiday ever.

2011-11-24T06:34:00.000-08:00

Wishing one and all a love filled, pie eating, face stuffing, Thanksgiving!

[photo by Kawashi Makotori via Auburn & Ivory]

The fabulous Miss Kayla wrote the best Thanksgiving poem I've ever read, and I had to share it on here with all you sweet readers. My favorite line, "Thank you art, thank you hope, thank you cheese, thank you soap." Amen.

Thank you birds, thank you trees, thank you food, thank you tea.
Thank you flowers, thank you color, thank you sister, thank you mother.
Thank you city, thank you dad, thank you chocolate, thank you sad.
Thank you health, thank you romance, thank you song, thank you dance.
Thank you husband, thank you happy, thank you silly, thank you sappy.
Thank you coffee, thank you friends, thank you laughter, thank you lens.
Thank you warmth, thank you love, thank you students, thank you gloves.
Thank you shoes, thank you books, thank you crannies, thank you nooks.
Thank you heart, thank you brain, thank you strength, thank you pain.
Thank you kindness, thank you money, thank you children, thank you honey.
Thank you art, thank you hope, thank you cheese, thank you soap.
Thank you animals, thank you earth, thank you travel, thank you worth.
Thank you water, thank you light, thank you day, thank you night.
Thank you stars, thank you wine, thank you swings, thank you time.
Thank you rain, thank you sun, thank you, thank you, everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Agra

2011-11-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

Fun fact: The Taj Mahal was built for a Persian queen by a Persian architect. Apparently during the Mughal Empire, all the kings imported their queens from Iran. And again, your welcome India.

The day we visited coincided with a Muslim, Hindu, and National Holiday (naturally), so essentially all of India was there. It was so crowded I was only able to take a few pictures before one of the guards whistled at me to get back in "single file line".

The other amazingly beautiful thing you see in Agra is The Red Fort. It's much less talked about in comparison to its queenly sister, but I think it's one of the most beautiful things I've seen in India. Also there are monkeys.

The Red Fort is opposite the Taj, so on clear days you can look out from the balcony and see it across the city.

The red sandstone it's made of constantly changes color depending on the light. At times it's a really vibrant orange, at others a muted pinkish gray. Can't decide which one I like more.

And that's a wrap folks. Hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Have an amazing Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey for those of us who live in India and can't! xo.

Delhi

2011-11-16T00:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes India is so pretty you don't know what to do with yourself. Generally it's not, but occasionally it'll take your breath away. Like when parakeets perch on ancient ruins.

I wish I could tell you the names of these beautiful historical places, but our guide didn't do much guiding and left me with little knowledge of where I was or what I saw.

All I remember is that everything amazing that has ever been built in Delhi or Agra was built by or for Persians. You're welcome, India.

The haziness is from all the pollution in Delhi. Turns out the 2 days we spent there ranked as the dustiest/most polluted days in the entire year. It did make for some dreamy lighting though.

One of my favorite things about traveling to different regions in India is noticing the various ways women wear their saris. There's a fishing community in the West for example, that wear theirs like pants. I have no idea how they wrap them--just tying the basic one baffles me.

Agra pics are on their way! For the full Delhi set click here.

Road Trip.

2011-11-14T00:18:00.000-08:00

And we're back!

Ken's parents flew in from Chicago last week, and we've been road tripping all over Northern India with them. There are so many amazing sights to share, so I'll split up the pictures into a few posts. Part one will feature our twenty-seven hour road trip.

When tourists visit India, they generally see what's called The Golden Triangle, which means Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. Ken's mom wanted to shake it up a bit, so she replaced Jaipur with a safari in Corbett National Park. Great idea on paper, not so great in practice.

Going to and from Corbett racked up a whopping 27 hours in the car on dirt roads, bobbing up and down the entire way. Sleeping, eating, drinking, and reading were all impossible, making it a painful journey to say the least. And to top it off, we didn't even see any animals (we saw monkeys, but monkeys in India are like squirrels in the US--you see them everywhere).

The drive did make for some amazing photos though, as road blocks forced us to detour and drive through tiny cities and villages off the beaten path in Uttar Pradesh.

These might be my favorite pictures yet. They were all taken through the car window, so some of them kind of look like film because of the extra layer of glass. They haven't been altered though--this is actually how awesome the colors are in real life.

And in case you want to see the full set, I've uploaded them on my flickr account right on over here.

Delhi and Agra posts to come!

Divali

2011-11-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

Spending Divali with my great aunt and her family in Punjab has definitely been one of the highlights of India so far. It was awesome.

Divali is a Hindu holiday celebrating one of the stories in the ancient epic tale, the Ramayana (it's a long story). But essentially, it's known as the "Festival of Lights".

Celebrating Divali includes eating ridiculous amounts of sugar, setting off fireworks for days on end, and dancing in your driveway to the dude with the drum that goes from house to house playing Bangara music. The drummers are sort of like Christmas carolers...with turbans.

This is my 90 year old great aunt and her sparkler. Doesn't she remind you of the fairy godmother from Sleeping Beauty?

Divali is also the season for weddings. My aunt and uncle were invited to two pre-wedding parties, so Ken and I got to tag along. And then wanted to get re-married in India. Omg.

The parties were gorgeous. Generally weddings are celebrated every night for a week, with different family members throwing a party every night. Let's just say Punjab put the p in party.

And just to give everyone a clear idea of what it was we came home to, here's a nice little picture of our front yard. Thanks Chennai.

We miss you Chandigarh.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

I found this image last November and have been waiting all year to post it.

Brilliant.

[via here]

Ken meets Bollywood.

2011-10-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know us personally, you're well aware that my husband is a performer.

Don't let the microfinance facade fool you--give him a stage (audience optional), and he'll sing, dance, and act himself into oblivion. Pair that with a Tamil Nadu TV station, and you've got some serious Bollywood magic.

On Saturday our apartment was filled with a camera crew, lights, and the host to a nationally watched cooking show, Enter the Kitchen. This weeks episode: America vs. Gujarat.

*Note: this is my husband banging a spatula on a skillet/roaring as an opening act of intimidation to his Gujarati competitor. #everythingistotallynormal

The crew filmed for 5 hours, while Kenny and his friend Anand, faced off.

The "American" dish Ken chose to make was a deluxe chicken sandwich. It included a fried egg, avacado, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and 3 buns. He also decided to put a massive pile of unwashed mint as "garnish" next to the sandwich, alongside spoonfuls of mustard and mayo.

At the end, the crew asked me to come on as a "surprise" judge, and like a total traitor I voted for Anand. What can I say, his stuffed okra and potato Gujarati surprise was amazing.

Nevertheless, Ken slipped the host 10 rupees, and won in true Indian fashion--through bribing.

The footage is being edited as we speak and will air this coming Sunday. Word on the street has it that segments of the show will be uploaded to youtube, so in case you're really bored next Sunday, you'll have something ridiculous to do with your time.

We're headed to the beautiful city of Chandigarh tomorrow to celebrate Divali with my Auntie, so happy Divali to one and all, and we'll be back with lots of pics on Sunday.

Here's to Bollywood. :)

A new painting for your Saturday.

2011-10-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

Or maybe it's a drawing? I can't ever define these things properly.

Herd, Ink on paper, 9"x11", 2011

And a really hilarious blog post including my husband, an Indian TV camera crew, and a very large sandwich for next week. #thisisgoingtobegood

Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera

2011-10-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

He had me at throwable.

Probably the funnest invention ever. This camera is meant to be thrown into the air in order to take panoramic photographs. The brilliant Jonas Pfeil and his team are the masterminds behind this novel idea, set to hit the market just as soon as they get a patent.

Here's how it works:

"The camera is thrown into the air and captures an image at the highest point of flight - when it is hardly moving. The camera takes full spherical panoramas, requires no preparation and images are taken instantaneously.

After catching the ball camera, pictures are downloaded in seconds using USB and automatically shown in our spherical panoramic viewer. This lets users interactively explore a full representation of the captured environment."

Watch the video or click here for more information on how its 36 fixed focus cameras create such incredible images.

[via Danika found here]

A drawing a day.

2011-10-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

My younger brother is studying architecture in Copenhagen this semester (lucky duck), and as a sort of daily exercise, is making a drawing a day.

His work is the bomb dot com, so I made him start a blog and post his awesome art for the world to see. Seriously, how rad is that cherry tart? And I don't think I've ever seen a prettier avocado.

So head on over and show him some blog love ladies! It's like total eye candy over there.

[images via Donesh Ferdowsi]

Miss Representation

2011-10-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

A favorite professor from grad school just sent me the trailer for "Miss Representation", an incredible new documentary that I wanted to share with you.

My paintings have always dealt with issues of femininity and the various ways women are objectified and portrayed through media, which is why I found this documentary to be so extraordinary. The news clips will make your jaw drop.

"Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions in America and challenges the media's limiting and often disparaging portrayals of women, which make it difficult for the average girl to see herself as powerful.

In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman's value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality--and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States still ranks 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, depression rates have doubled among teenage girls, and cosmetic surgery on minors has more than tripled in the last ten years.

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, academics, and activists like Condoleeza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective."

Best kept secret.

2011-10-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

When we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka, I had no idea what to expect. I'd never heard much about it or met anyone that had visited, so I assumed it was going to be similar to India because of its proximity.

Not the case.

I think Sri Lanka is quite possibly the best kept secret on planet Earth. It's kind of like India's smaller, better looking brother, that flosses and wears deodorant.

We stayed in the southern city of Bentota, famous for its beaches and tropical paradise feel. Ken told them it was my birthday, so when we arrived the room was filled with balloons and "Happy Birthday" written in flowers on the bed (so cute). If someone had told me last year I'd be spending my next birthday in Sri Lanka, I would have told them they had the wrong girl.

We stayed at a bed and breakfast run by Rohan, the craziest Sri Lankan man you've ever met. I don't think he was fully clothed at any point during our stay. His attire of choice was a skirt--only.

Rohan aside, our room was beautiful and came with a balcony overlooking the pool.

The beaches were kind of ridiculous. They put the ones in Thailand to shame (I know that's a bold statement, but I stand by it). Thai beaches are overrun by tourists and empty water bottles. Sri Lankan beaches are not only pristine, but they are empty. No crowds of tourists or vendors trying to sell you ugly beads for $6.00. Even the public beaches feel private.

My favorite part was our cruise along the Bentota River. Crocs, snakes, crazy birds, and your occasional fruit bat all made appearances. It was like a first class safari.

And then we cruised through an island of lotuses--no big deal.

Our guide picked a few and then made us necklaces with the stems (best craft project ever). Lotuses smell amazing, by the way. Kind of like a combination of lemon and magnolia.

Nobody looks tough with a lotus necklace on. Sorry Ken.

Generally while traveling food seems to be hit or miss for me, depending on the restaurant, etc.. In Sri Lanka, e.v.e.r.y. meal was insane. Like Dune quality awesome. And we even had strawberries (omg). Neither of us had eaten/seen one since our last stint in the US, 5 months ago.

On our last night we went to Galle Fort to watch the sunset on the ramparts. This was about the time I decided Sri Lanka was the best country in the world and started planning our next trip back.

Thanks to my sweet hub for the best birthday ever. I don't know how you're going to top yourself next year. :) And as for all you dear readers, I know Sri Lanka is probably far far away from you, but seriously, you need to visit this place. Or maybe even move there.

The Dune in film

2011-10-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest, I've looked through these pictures about 17 times.

They are currently the only things keeping me sane during my period of paradise withdrawal. I hope you don't mind my posting again on the amazing place I got to call home for a month--but there's just something about seeing things through film that's always a little magical.

*A note on the blue: Yes, it really was as blue as it looks. The recent tsunami blew the original roof off, so this blue business is temporary. However, it felt pretty amazing and surreal to work in. At first I thought it was going to throw off all my colors, but I found a spot on the table where natural light came through, and it worked out just fine.

My bedroom was lofted above the studio space, so I basically had a whole little house to myself. It felt like something straight out of Swiss Family Robinson. The floors were bamboo and bounced as you walked on them, and everything was handmade.

Here's a look from the outside. You can see it was really kind of a little bungalow.

Every morning I'd wake up and ride my bike to breakfast. The property is covered in lush, rainforesty plants and flowers, with coconut and banana trees lining the bike paths.

And then there was the pool, of course. This was and is and shall forever be, my happy place in India. Everytime I find myself gagging from the smell of rotting fish/diaper + cow in Chennai, I close my eyes and remember that I got to swim in this pool everyday for 21 days.

Directly opposite the pool is the Dune Gate, created by a former artist in residence. The gate opens out onto the beautiful Bay of Bengal. It's amazing to see the ocean framed by a door, an image we're not really used to seeing? It's incredible and sort of feels like more of a portal than a gate.

Also the wooden fame of the gate is a salvaged piece of an ancient Indian palace. I die.

And my favorite part were these two amazing ladies, Vijaya and Purani. They took care of me like nobody's business and made sure there were fresh flowers in my studio every morning. Sometimes Vijaya (on the right) would even bring me garlands of jasmine from her garden for my hair. The sweetest.

And to top it off, another little painting I made.

Bite Me, Watercolor on Paper, 8"x6", 2011

Thank you all so much for reading along and leaving such sweet notes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all this adventuring would not be the same without you.

We are heading to Sri Lanka tomorrow to celebrate my birthday (hooray!), so stay tuned for some elephant riding and coconut eating.

New paintings

2011-10-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

The previous batch were all ink and watercolor, but here are a couple oil paintings from the past few weeks as well.

Lessons of a fourth grader, Oil on Paper, 10"x11", 2011

Oil is a tricky thing to use in India because the humidity slows the already slow drying process (thank you monsoon). But it's my favorite medium so I've continued using it, just less frequently.

Chahar Baagh (Four Gardens), Oil on Paper, 12"x9", 2011

Turmeric Hands, 10"x11", Oil on Paper, 2011

And to all you wonderful readers who wrote me about buying pieces (thank you!), and yes, they will be available for sale in the spring of 2012. I have to keep them around for a few shows before then. Cheers friends. :)

New paintings

2011-09-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

Finally some images of paintings I made during my Dune Residency. More to come, but for now here are five.

Branding, Watercolor and acrylic on paper, 11"x15", 2011

I come bearing mangoes, Watercolor on Paper, 7.5" x 11", 2011

Trinity, Ink and Watercolor on Paper, 11"x7.5, 2011

Breathless, Ink and Watercolor on Paper, 11"x7.5", 2011

Jacobs' Fall, Ink and Watercolor on Paper, 7.5"x11", 2011

I think there are about 14 more, so get ready for a week of paintings. :)

It's all in the details.

2011-09-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

I am already mourning the end of my residency, even though there's still kind of a whole week left.

My time here has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I feel completely and utterly spoiled beyond measure. I've made something like 20 new paintings and promise to post pictures of them just as soon as I find a way to fix my Nikon lens (so sad!).

Until then, here are a few pictures I took right before the great fall of my SLR. Details at this place are absolutely stunning. Owners Emilie and Dmitri are totally artists at heart and have come up with some of the most beautiful and creative ideas I've ever seen.

For example, they've placed antique canopy beds all around the infinity pool. Each bed is nestled within a little garden of palm trees.

Staying true to their title as an "ecovillage", all their furniture has been recycled and salvaged from old boats, vintage stores, and palaces. Everything here is green, organic, and totally eco friendly. There's no plastic anywhere, their organic farm feeds their restaurants, and they have fair trade contracts with their fisherman. Such an inspiring business model.

Okay actually, their placemats are plastic. But they are handmade from recycled plastic bags. :) So I feel like that doesn't really count.

They've even relocated an authentic Hindu temple onto their property for concerts, performances, and weddings. It was disassembled in Kerala, and then reassembled right in the middle of The Dune. How ridiculously amazing would it be to get married in?

And the tables are a mix of antique Indian furniture and re-purposed cruise ship parts. Seriously there is just beauty everywhere. It's like a modern day Jungle Book with less wolves. Kind of incredible.

And in case you're an artist, writer, musician, etc. interested in applying for a residency, here's a list of some pretty awesome ones in the US:

Millay Colony
Yaddo
Djerassi
MacDowell
Skowhegan

Applications vary from place to place, but I really encourage all of you creatives to apply. These places are transforming.

And now I'm off to soak up my last week in paradise.

Workshop

2011-09-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

The painting and collage workshop ended yesterday, and already I'm going through withdrawal--the kids were amazing.

I worked with The Last School in Auroville, a super creative, highly alternative artsy school where the kids design their own curriculum and focus heavily on art. The people were so wonderful I was tempted to sign on as permanent faculty--I loved every last bit of it.

I designed the workshop to explore the Hindu myth of Sita and Rama through painting and collage. The kids first made collages using found imagery from magazines and newspapers about the abduction of Sita (the symbol of ideal beauty/femininity in India), then made paintings based on their collages.

I was so impressed with how their work turned out and all the creative (and sometimes hilarious) images they chose to tell the story. Even the teachers joined in, which was awesome for both me and the kids.

Spending time with the local community here was such a treat--maybe even the highlight of my India stay so far. On the last day we curated an art show for their parents and friends and even ended up attracting a few tourists passing through.

Unfortunately my digital camera broke the day before the workshop (screw you grativty), so all these photos are courtesy of the wonderful Emilie Klein. I took lots of film photos though, so I'll be sure to post them in the coming weeks.

As we were saying our goodbyes, the kids snuck off and made me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. And then convinced me to come back next week for another art class. :)

Le studio

2011-09-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

A look into my studio...

I love this giant table they have in the middle of the studio space. The size is perfect for spreading out and seeing everything at once. Plus isn't it just such a gorgeous work surface? Its handmade from wooden slabs and granite.

Painting lots. Eating lots more. And swimming everyday. Kind of feels like a second honeymoon?

More pics to come. Trying to be online as little as possible, so forgive the sparse posting. Cheers friends!

ps...A huge thanks to Ada for the beautiful feature on her blog last week.

And then I fell into someone else's life.

2011-09-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

My painting residency at the Dune started yesterday, and I feel almost certain that I've slipped into some kind of magical coma, or that this is not in fact my life.

The people are wonderful. The surroundings are stunning. There are free yoga classes three times a day next to a lily pond. I can help milk the cows on their organic farm at 4:30 pm each day, and the infinity pool is out of control gorgeous.

Oh, and the food. I'm thinking about starting a photography journal of all my meals because they're as beautiful as they are delicious.What you see below is cucumber, mint, and lemon juice alongside their house salad.

And tomorrow I'm meeting with a local art school to discuss the details of a 4 day workshop I'll be teaching next week on collage and painting.

In other words, nobody pinch me. I have no plans of waking up from all this magic.

And in other other words, don't ever listen to anyone that says "art" isn't a practical major in college.

Score.

Why don't I live here.

2011-09-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

Danika and I had a *total* blast running around Jaipur, scaring off creepy men, haggling fair rickshaw prices, gawking at ridiculous raw diamond 18k gold rings, and trying our hand at block printing. Rajasthan is known for its art, architecture and jewelry, and we did everything in our power to make sure we packed it all into 3 days.

Jaipur really is the pink city. All the walls and architecture are this beautiful coral color that just makes you want to run out and paint your house something rosey.

We stayed at the Shahpura House, which came complete with purple sequence curtains and maharaja paintings on the walls. I recommend this place wholeheartedly to any and all--so reasonably priced and impossibly gorgeous at the same time.

The Jaipur observatory, known as the Jantar Mantar, was incredible. It was constructed by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II from 1727-1734. Sometimes I'm convinced people were smarter back then.

The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses,
tracking stars' location as the earth orbits around the sun, etc. etc..

The Giant Sundial, known as the Samrat Yantra is the world's largest sundial, standing 27 meters tall. Its shadow moves visibly at 1 mm per second, or roughly a hand's width every minute.

But my absolute favorite part was the Anokhi Museum of hand block printing.

We met with local block printers who gave us demos on the carving + printing process.

Then the gents let us keep the prints we worked on, as well as the stamps they carved during the demo. So sweet.

We've barely been gone 24 hours and are already concocting sneaky ways of making our way back. Have any of you ever visited Jaipur? Or any other cities in Rajasthan?

And in case you're experiencing a severe case of wanderlust, here are three other weekend trips around India:

*Auroville
*Chandigarh
*Hyderabad

2011-09-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Jaipur is every bit as wonderful as everyone said it would be, and then some. I'm lucky enough to be here with one of my best friends from college, who's actually Indian and living in Bangalore at the moment. She's an amazing artist/designer, and together we're drooling over all the sights and history of Rajasthan.

More pictures to come, but for now here's a look at us in the City Palace. :)

Jaipur + a new bedspread

2011-08-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Best part about living in India? Textiles, everywhere, for like $2.00.

Just bought this hand block printed bedspread from my all time favorite store, Anohki. It's an amazing Indian brand known for paying their workers fair wages and reviving the ancient art of hand block printing native to Jaipur (in the north).

Don't mind the pathetic attempt at making the bed (can you tell I never do it), but seriously isn't this blanket so beautiful? Plus it's reversible, so it totally tides over my antsy decorating/lack-of-commitment-when-it-comes-to-picking-colors problem.

And the best part of all, Anokhi is affiliated with a hand printing museum in Jaipur, which I will actually be hopping on a plane to visit in t-minus 10 hours. So excited--no idea how I'm going to sleep tonight.

Here's a quick look at how they carve the wooden blocks and then print the fabric.

[photos via Cathy Teesdale]

Jaipur is known as the "Pink City", and is supposed to be out of control gorgeous. Get ready for lots of pictures and updates friends.

PS...Thank you all, so much for your insightful (and hilarious) comments about my previous post. I can't even begin to tell you how hard I was laughing while reading them. Lesson of the day: turmeric head--not to be attempted at home.

The day everyone wore peach.

2011-08-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Living abroad always feels surreal for so many reasons. And when your abroad country is India, that surreality is multiplied by about 1.3 billion.

The day was like any other. The air was hot and muggy, the fish were dead and rotting, and then out of nowhere the streets were packed with ladies, dudes, and newborn babies, all wearing peach.

There was also lots of turmeric head going on. Turmeric head is a phenomenon I haven't quite fully grasped yet. It involves shaving one's head completely and then covering it in turmeric. Sometimes this includes covering the entire face as well. #noidea

Back to the peach. First thought, where am I. Second thought, wtf is going on and why didn't anyone tell me to wear orange.

Finally my curiosity got the best of me, and I asked a local lady what was going on. "Christian Holiday," she said.

Now, I'm no expert on Christianity, but I did grow up in the Bible belt US of A, and I don't ever remember an August holy day involving plastic Jesuses and marching.

Apparently the peach wearing will go on for the next 10 days, and there will be another storming of the streets on the 7th day. Additionally, giant masses of people are walking something like 350 kilometers to a pilgrimage spot near Pondicherry.

I'm Baha'i so I might have missed the memo, but if anyone out there can shed some light on what Christian denomination this is, I'd love to hear all about it.

*ps, a little look into my studio here. :) thanks Anabel!

Just a photo

2011-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Human lawnmower. Someone's gotta tell her there's a better way.

[photo by alkeemi]

2011-08-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

[via Melody Ehsani]

The Dune

2011-08-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

Looks like the India took pity on my whiny self and sent me some good karma (maybe it was for the cow painting I made it?).

On Saturday I was accepted into an artist residency at The Dune, an eco village and beach resort 1.5 hours outside of Chennai (insert exclamation point here).

What's an artist residency you ask? Only one of the greatest perks and hidden secrets of being an artist. Residencies are designed as little getaways where artists can live and work for an extended period of time, free of cost. The Dune has offered me my own bungalow right next to the beach, complete with a studio and outdoor shower. Here's a picture:

I've been accepted for the month of September, during which I will

a) swim everyday at the beach
b) swim everyday in their infinity pool
c) eat everyday fo free in one of their three restaurants, which source all their produce from an on-site organic farm
d) paint my heart out

And in case you're wondering, the hub can come too. Only he'll have to commute back and forth to work (kind of worth it I'd say).

Jealous? Don't be. Go read my previous post and remember how lucky you are not to live in a steaming pile of garbage/cow.

Here's to the month of September. :) Cheers friends!

It's all in the bag

2011-08-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

In grad school we did this really fun assignment where we made documentary videos about the contents in each others purses/bags. The stuff we carry really does say so much about our lives, so I thought I'd let you have a look into mine. Also, if you're planning a trip to Southern India, this could be a useful list of must haves.

1. Toilet paper. I never ever ever leave the house without a roll. Southern Indians generally just have buckets of water next to their toilets, and I don't know about you, but water doesn't generally dry anything off for me. I was shocked to see that even in private homes people don't use toilet paper. Twice so far I've been stuck with nothing but the bucket + faucet, and let me just say, it was unpretty. And swampy. (Note: Chandigarh had lots of toilet paper, this is in regards to Southern India, namely Tamil Nadu)

2. Sunglasses. *So important*. The men here (Chennai) are not used to seeing Western dressed women and will burn holes through your clothing with their stares. A good pair of shades not only blocks the sun from your eyes, but also gives you a little privacy from lecherous looks.

3. Hand sanitizer. The rumors are true. India is dirty. We're talking Middle Ages, black plague style dirty. You're going to want to wash your hands, a lot.

4. Lip gloss. Self-explanatory.

5. Bobby pins, hair ties, clips. If you have longish hair (or really just hair at all), you're not going to want it touching you. My hair goes way up on top of my head where it chills out and doesn't stick to my neck. #worstfeelingever

6. Wallet. Duh.

7. Camera. For all the crazy things you are 100% going to see.

8. Phone. Duh.

9. Travel note book + a pen. I bought this one from an antique store for my brother and then liked it too much and never gave it to him (sorry D). Chances are you're going to pass something you'll want to remember or meet someone you'll want to see again.

10. A handkerchief (or any kind of fabric/cloth). When I first arrived the smell of Chennai was so bad I would gag, literally, in the middle of the street on an hourly basis. We'd be walking to dinner, gag. I'd be in a rickshaw, gag. On my way to the gym, gag. And by gag I mean, heave so badly I was 100% sure that at any moment I was going to throw up all over myself. I wish you could experience the smell, just to understand how good your life is right now. The smell isn't just like a little whiff of something unseemly. It's like a hot wave of putrid rotting diapers/fish mixed with urine, cow, and Indian armpit. In other words, if breathing is important to you, you're going to need something to cover your nose and mouth with.

11. Sunscreen. Nobody likes cancer.

12. A water bottle. Sometimes you'll wonder if you're sweating or melting? And since you're a woman, you'll need to be covered from collar bone to ankle and will sweat lots. It's a delicate balance though, because drinking too much can lead to needing to pee in a public restroom before you get home (never a good idea).

13. A pack of gum. Chances are you'll be really nauseous anytime you use transportation of any kind. Rickshaws are open to the elements so you're breathing in lots of exhaust and the above mentioned smells, plus it's really bumpy and the driving defies description. Gum can help you not vom.

What's in your purse? :)

FAQ's

2011-08-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Alright friends. You've been writing and asking, and I've been too busy cheating the gods to respond. So here are some quick answers for you.

Q. Why the f are you in India and how long will you be there?
A. My husband is a better person than I am and is doing microfinance research/saving the world. Meanwhile, I'm being an artist and making paintings/maybe making a documentary film on the microfinance research he's doing. I also have an artist residency coming up in September (more on that later). We'll be here until January 2012.

And here's a new painting in case you didn't believe me:

Cholamandal, Beet juice, tea, and acrylic on paper, 9"x12", 2011

Q. Do you like India? You seem to be really whiny and spoiled.
A. I do actually, really like India. Unfortunately I don't like the city we're living in--hence the whining.

Q. You look Indian. But you said you're not Indian. Then you said you're great aunt lives in Punjab. Are you a dirty liar/What kind of brown are you?

A. Good question. Probably the most recurring question of my life. I'm Persian, which means from Iran. Both my parents were born in Tehran, but I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. As for my great aunt, she was adopted by an Indian family when she was 5 years old and grew up in Punjab. But that's a different story for a different day and a different blog.

Q. I live in India and we have strawberries, not rotten lettuce, and sewers where I live. Why are you making things up about my country?
A. Dear Indians from nice cities, kindly note that your country is massive and that your city is probably different than my city. I have no doubt that Bombay and Delhi have more to offer than Chennai. I'm unfortunately not making anything up--India never needs exaggeration. If anything I tone things down so people believe me.

Hope that answers all your queries dear readers. Feel free to ask anything and everything your heart desires--I'll do my best to answer. And thanks, as always, for reading along. :) Your questions and comments make this adventure so much more fun. xo.

Mahabalipuram

2011-08-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

So happy to say I finally made my way to the beach town Mahabalipuram (try saying that three times really fast). It's about a 1.5 hour drive outside of Chennai, but is totally worth it for the swimmable beach!

The Shore Temple was by far the highlight of our visit. This incredible structure was built in 700 AD and is considered the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Also, it's made entirely of finely cut granite, which is mind boggling.

The Temple has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site, and recent excavations have revealed new structures underneath the sand.

My favorite part was touching the granite because it was so smooth from years and years of wear and tear.

And then India decided I was having too good of a time a reared its smelly head.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a tiny bald woman wearing a face/oxygen mask + bandana pointed at me and screamed, "YOU ARE CHEATING THE GODS!"

Awesome. Still waiting for lightening to strike/praying for forgiveness.

Pucker Up, Buttercup

2011-08-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

With mango season ending and withdrawal symptoms kicking in, I knew I had to find something to replace my 50% mango mousse diet.

Fortunately Emily Luchetti and her lemon cream recipe came to my rescue. Warning: this dessert might change your life/make you really fat.

What you'll need:

4 lg. egg yolks
2 lg. eggs
About ¾ c. granulated sugar
½ c. lemon juice
1 c. heavy cream

If you live in a place other than southern India, please go buy 1 pt. strawberries and 1 pt. raspberries to use at the end. Nobody here has ever seen a berry.

What you'll do:

1. Whisk the yolks and eggs with ½ c. of the sugar and the lemon juice until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon, for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens to a mayo-like consistency. (If the mixture gets lumpy at any point, whisk until smooth.)

2. Strain the lemon curd through a mesh sieve into a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until cold, about 1 hour.

3. Whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the chilled lemon curd.

4. Remove the stems from the strawberries (cut in half if they’re large). Put them in a medium bowl with 2 tbsp. sugar, and, with the back of a spoon, smash them a bit to break them up. Stir in the raspberries, smashing them up a little, too. Taste and add more sugar if wanted.

5. Spoon the lemon cream into glasses and top with the smashed berries.

I so sincerely wish I had a pretty picture to show you what it looks like at the end, but every time I make this, Ken and I finish all 6 servings within the hour. So here's an aftermath photo instead.

[From Emily Luchetti via DailyCandy]

Kolam

2011-08-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Most days I try not to leave our apartment because of the mosquito herds + rotting fish smell, as noted in my last post. But on the days when I do brave the Indian elements, our Kolam drawing is the best part of my day.

Kolam is a traditional folk art in India and is practiced differently in each state. Here in Tamil Nadu, the drawings are made on the pavement outside of homes (kind of where a welcome mat would be in the States). Typically it's the woman's responsibility to draw them, but since we're in an apartment building, our caretaker Tulsi makes them.

The patterns are always beautiful and intricate and change daily. Initially I thought they were drawn with chalk, but recently I learned they're made with rice flour. Sometimes they'll even add color with natural spices like turmeric. Here's a peek at the entrance to our home....and our watchman, Supermania (that's actually his name).

And in case you want to read about what a normal day is like for me here in Chennai, hop on over to Rachel's beautiful blog and check out my "Typical Tuesday."

Happy weekend friends!

Chandigarh + a long lost Auntie

2011-08-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

How were your weekends dear readers? I've been in Chandigarh for the past 5 days, hence the radio silence.

Chandigarh is in the northern state of Punjab and is the only planned city in the entire country (hah). It is so clean and not polluted I almost forgot I was in India.

My grandmother's older sister and her family live there, so I headed north for a visit. It was the first time I'd really spent time with them and was shocked at how similar my great aunt is to my grandmother. They are practically twins! Not to mention she's adorable and talks with a super high British accent. What other 89 year old woman do you know that can pull off strappy sandals like that? I mean, come on.

My auntie's house is like Anthropologie on crack. It's stunning. And she has a whole team of servants to do everything and anything for you. Need a shirt ironed? Done. Want some water? They'll bring it to you on a tray. Feel like a massage? You're in luck because their masseuse comes every Sunday. Ken was super distraught to hear all this--anticipating the ramifications of my new found level of spoiledness.

My 5 days with them were fabulous and went by entirely too fast. I was reminded of just how incredible my visit was when my plane landed in Chennai last night, and I was greeted by a swarm of mosquitoes and the smell of rotting fish.

Oh Tamil Nadu, how you charm me.

[photos via alkeemi]

Just a photo

2011-08-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

All doors should look like this.

[photo by alkeemi]

"Noticeable Nobody"

2011-08-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

A really worthwhile use of the next 13 minutes and 56 seconds of your life. Promise.

[Thank you Petra and Alessandra]

Palaces, Bazaars & Bangles

2011-08-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Turns out, the train ride was worth it (mostly). Hyderabad is flipping gorgeous.

To bring me back to life, Ken promptly took me to a palace (smart man). The Chowmahallah Palace is possibly the most beautiful thing I've seen in India. Modeled after the Shah of Iran's palace in Tehran, every last detail is fabulously opulent and over the top. Don't know why, but Persians just do royalty right (word to my people).

Thanks to the wonderful India Tube and some lady friends at Dakshina Chitra, we had a long list of sights to see and places to eat.

If you're planning a visit I'd recommend the Golconda Fort and the Shilparaman Craft Market. Skip the Salarjung Museum (India doesn't know how to take care of its paintings, so everything is deteriorating), and the Laad Bazaar was medium with nothing to buy other than plastic bangles. Also it's filled to the brim with beggars that b-lined my white man every chance they got.

We got home last night--this time via airplane, that brilliant modern marvel. And it took about 55 minutes. That's 15 hours and 5 minutes less than our arrival journey.

Lesson of the week: just say no to Indian trains.

Blondie and his paparazzi

2011-07-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

I'll be the first to admit that my husband is a looker. He's tall and blond and has swishy hair. I just find it weird that Indian men agree with me.

Anytime we leave the house, he is mobbed by chubby short tweens with patchy mustaches and gelled hair. Pushing me aside, they gather around him, starring into his eyes questioning whether he's Leo or Matt or some freakishly ideal combination of the two.

He of course obliges when they ask for photo ops. And I of course document the whole thing, holding back laughter and rolling my eyes because seriously, this is like the 4th time it's happened today.

I miss America

2011-07-28T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ken and I just spent the past 16 hours on a 3rd class overnight train from Chennai to Hyderabad. And by overnight I mean we had to sleep on it. Enter a smattering of cockroaches, snoring Tamil men, and the sound of tuberculosis. #thisiswhathardcorelookslike

We arrived in 1 piece, sort of, but I don't think I've ever missed America more. Especially after seeing Nabil Samadani's pics of Cali. The fact that places this clean exist, and that I once upon a time lived in them, is baffling to me.

For more of his dreamy, nostalgic imagery check out his blog or portfolio.

Dakshina Chitra

2011-07-25T00:29:00.000-07:00

How were your weekends dear readers? Mine was spent in a marble painting workshop at Dakshina Chitra.

Dakshina Chitra refers to itself as a "living art museum" and is filled with traditional craftsmen from Southern India that come and practice their art in public.

Sari weaving for example...

They offer classes from pottery making to glass blowing, Kalamkari drawing and palm reading. I got to make a pot for 25 cents.

The workshop I took focused on the ancient tradition of miniature marble painting in Rajasthan. Turns out painting on marble is really fun. The surface totally glows and makes the image look translucent and lit from within. If marble wasn't so expensive I think I'd switch to it permanently. I loved it.

Here's a look at mine start to finish:

The teacher was so strict it was hilarious. We weren't allowed to change anything about the composition. I snuck in a few extra flowers and peacocks, and when he walked by I got a talkin' to. :)

After two months of desperately searching for anything art related in Chennai, I'm so excited to have found this place. Also I'd recommend it to anyone passing through Pondicherry or Auroville--it's definitely worth a stop.

Temples

2011-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

There isn't a lot of sightseeing to do in Chennai--it's mainly just filled with traffic jams and your occasional goat. But one thing we do have are temples. Incredibly intricate, beautiful temples.

The most famous one in the city is called the Mylapore Temple. Its technical name is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, but that's really hard to say and most people don't call it that.

On all sides there are piles and piles of flower garlands and incense that people buy to take inside as offerings. The jasmine garlands smell amazing and usually sell for 10 cents.

Next on my list is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Aren't these vintage photos of it so stunning?

Have any of you visited a Hindu Temple before?

A new painting for your Wednesday

2011-07-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow, Watercolor on paper, 9"x12", 2011

Dear India, I made you a cow. So why don't you use that positive karma and put an end to the cow harassment my rickshaw and I endure on a daily basis. Namaste.

ps...Click here to purchase!

Into the woods

2011-07-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend Ken and I packed our bags and headed down south to the famed town of Auroville.
Auroville, as the name suggests, is like something straight out of a Dr. Suess book. It's filled with hippies, artists, and lots and lots of French people, all of whom call themselves "Aurovillians".

For the first time in 6 weeks I breathed clean air and ate a salad.

We stayed at the Gaia Gardens Guesthouse for $22/night (I'm continually baffled by prices here). Our room was beautiful and surrounded by ponds and gardens on all sides.

Ken befriended two Aurovillians back in April, so we were lucky to actually spend time with the local community. On Saturday we went to a candlelit birthday party and on Sunday we were invited to brunch at Johnny's treehouse in the woods.

This is Johnny.

This is brunch.

We also got to peek into one of the many handmade homes in the village. This particular one was renovated by Johnny's son and used to be a chicken coop/school house. The interior was breathtaking, complete with an indoor rain garden and stairs built by Johnny himself.

I felt like I'd accidentally fallen into Design*Sponge.

Needless to say, we didn't want to leave. It was an amazing weekend. And fingers crossed, we'll be returning very very soon.

Just a photo

2011-07-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Someday I'm going to have white hair and wear it in a bun.

[photo via Kimia Kline]

A drawing for your Tuesday

2011-07-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

When I arrived in Chennai, one of the first things I noticed was the massive amount of crows that rule the city streets here. They are big and loud and everywhere. Imagine Hitchcock's "The Birds" meets Bollywood.

The Crows of Chennai, 9"x12", Ink on Paper, 2011

So in honor of our flighty friends and their manic ways, I made this drawing. It took a long time. And every time I looked up, I'd see a crow sitting on my window sill staring at me.

A Tennessee Engagement

2011-07-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted any weddingy stuff, but Sameera and Hossain's engagement was simply too good not to share.

Don't they look like something straight out of a fairytale? And I love that they drove down to my hometown of Nashville, TN, to meet up with wedding photography genius, Tec Petaja.

Tec's talent paired with their impeccable style equals pure brilliance.

So many congratulations to the stunning couple! I simply can't wait to see all the beauty your wedding holds.

[All photos courtesy of Tec Petaja]

From the sea

2011-07-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

I was walking along the beach today and came across these tangled, colorful messes.

Does anyone know what they are? They seem so purposeful.

And in case you're new around these parts (welcome!), here's three India posts you might have missed:

*Why we moved to India
*Yes, that's my husband driving a rickshaw
*3,000 photos in 3 minutes

Standard

2011-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Just a normal day in the neighborhood.

Massages, Mint Baths, and Ginger Tea

2011-07-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

Today is my one-month-in-India anniversary. In these past 4 weeks I've been eaten by mosquitoes, hunted by ants, increased my bad smell tolerance by 150%, and learned never to wear makeup in 120 degree heat (it melts into your eyes). I've also learned what mangoes are supposed to taste like and gotten a sweet tan.

In celebration of such a milestone, today was deemed spa day. Enter, Oryza.

For any Chennai dwellers out there or happy tourists passing through, I highly recommend this lovely bamboo oasis. The service was great (ask for Pinky), it smelled like dewberry, and their massages are awesome. Not to mention, they're followed with mint baths. That's right, a hot bath filled with mint. And for the record, you haven't lived until you've experienced this.

They had to force me out.

We finished off the day with ginger tea and chocolate cardamom cake from Ahnoki Cafe across the street. Generally we've been grossly disappointed with the baked goods here, but this place clearly knew what they were doing. So happy to have discovered it.

Cheers friends. Here's to another month.

Mango Mousse

2011-06-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

In case you ever find yourself with a few extra mangoes, here's my quick and dirty version of this mango mousse recipe:

What you'll need

2 large mangoes

1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

200 mL heavy whipping cream

(The fancy recipe calls for gelatin and pure icing sugar. But this is India, and we are not fancy here. There was no gelatin or pure icing sugar at the store today/ever.)

*side note: This is what the store looks like...

What you'll do

Peel and chop the mangoes.
Blend mangoes with lemon/lime juice and cream until it starts to form peaks and whip.

(Fancy recipe says blend separately then whip the cream and fold the two together. I say there's no way you're getting me to wash the blender twice.)

Spoon into individual serving glasses and chill until set.

Top with cut mango and cardamom.

This is like 50% of my diet.

[photos via me]

The Art of the Artist's Statement

2011-06-27T03:07:00.000-07:00

Want to know what it's like to go to art school? Watch this video.

Story. of. my. life.

[via Charlotte Young]

Hamptons of Mumbai

2011-06-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

This home featured in the New York Times has me in total awe. Dear Mr. Ahluwalia, let's be friends--I'll make you a painting.

"Kawal Singh Ahluwalia, left, built guest cottages so his daughter, Maithili, right, and son, Ashim, could spend more time at his home in what is known as the Hamptons of Mumbai."

"The home looks out onto a pool made of slate and a flower garden with more than 60 species. Beyond is the Arabian Sea."

"The dining and living areas look out onto the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, where leopards, barking deer and wild boar roam. Polished concrete floors help keep the home cool."

"The veranda, a space once used for parking, has a breakfast area and a Moroccan-style lounge behind it, furnished with colorful rugs and cushions."

"A century-old cast-iron staircase leads down to the bedrooms on the lower level. It was bought for about $560 in 1990, at the Thieves Market, an antiques bazaar in Mumbai."

"The bench and coffee table in Ashim Ahluwalia’s cottage were salvaged from an old film lab. Other pieces, like the lamp and Eames chairs, are from Bungalow 8, his sister’s store."

"Ms. Ahluwalia’s teak bed is from Bungalow 8. The tall cupboard and tables are family heirlooms; the lamps were a flea market find. Vents over the bed encourage cross-ventilation."

"Ms. Ahluwalia’s desk has a slate top and legs made out of wood from fallen trees. The cane-and-brass chair is from Bungalow 8. Above the desk are vintage Maharaja photos."

"The bathroom in Ms. Ahluwalia’s cottage has an outdoor shower room made of polished cement. But it’s private enough so that 'only the monkeys can look in,' Mr. Ahluwalia said."

I think polished cement floors and teak headboards just got bumped to the top of my someday-must-have-list. Thank you so much Fin for sending me this gorgeous article. Hope you folks enjoyed drooling over this home as much as I did.

For the full story click here.

How To Wrap a Sari

2011-06-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

How amazing are these photos circa 1945? They inspire me to run out and buy a sari immediately!

Photographer: Jack Wilkes

Source: Life Archive hosted by Google

I've been told by some friends in Delhi that Chennai is the silk/cotton capital of India, so I'm in the right place for a shopping spree. Just need to figure out where to go, and what not to pay. :)

When in Rajasthan

2011-06-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Do as the Maharajas do. I just found the incredible Samode Palace converted hotel and am dying to see it in person.

Wouldn't this be a dream to stay in for a few nights? I know I'm technically not allowed to have a case of wanderlust while actually living abroad, but I can't help it, there's just too much to see.

[images via The India Tube]

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

A very happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there! Saw this super cheesy/adorable video and had to share.

And a very very happy Father's Day to my great dad. Sending you a big hug from India. :)

[video via Sheba] [photo via Jose Villa]

I got a job!

2011-06-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

Not that I was even looking for a job, but thanks to one of you amazing readers (yay Missy!), I'll be starting at 2AdPro Media Solutions as a "Creative Consultant" next week.

I'll be working there part time and making paintings the other half of the time. The people are really sweet and the building is beautiful and feels like a New York warehouse loft. I've never worked in advertising or graphic design before, but I have done a lot of freelance work, so I'm hoping this will be a great way to expand my skills and get some legit design experience.

Heading over there now for "training." Wish luck!

Besant Nagar

2011-06-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

How were your weekends dear readers?

We spent ours trying out some local restaurants and eating ice cream on the beach next to our house--which by the way, happens to be the most enormous stretch of sand I've ever seen. The word "vast" has never been more appropriately used. I was positive India's 1.2 billion population was there with us on Sunday.

We live on the beach in an area called, Besant Nagar. I read it used to be a quiet residential area, but the water has attracted lots of attention (and noise). At this point it's too polluted to swim in, though you'll generally see a few people disregarding the warnings.

On weekends the beach is filled with mangos, merry-go-rounds, and carnival rides. It is unbelievably beautiful.

I don't think I've ever seen a more photogenic place in all my life. Can't wait to go back next weekend and take more photos (this time with film :).

From the studio

2011-06-12T02:17:00.000-07:00

No masterpieces yet, but here are a few shots of my new studio in India. :)

I forgot to pack my watercolors (boooo), so instead I made some paint using beet juice and black tea. They both make really amazing colors, and I like the idea of painting with pigments made from bits of India.

The Pink City, 9"x12", Beet juice on paper

The hot pink beet juice is the perfect color for this place. In most cultures pink is taboo and rarely taken seriously, but in India it's celebrated like nobody's business. Men, and women, and children, and homes, and office buildings and cars are covered in pink and proud of it.

More pink paintings to come!

*ps... Here's a small tutorial on making your own beet juice for painting:
1. Boil 2 to 3 beets.
2. Once boiled, remove beets from the juice and store for later eating. :)
3. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the juice and a dash of salt to bring out the color.
4. Let cool and have at it!

Varunika Saraf

2011-06-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

Currently madly in love with Indian artist Varunika Saraf.

Chahar Bagh, 2010, watercolour on rice paper and found textile

She shows at Galerie Mirchandani-Steinrueck (no idea how to pronounce that) in Mumbai. I love her mixed media approach to narrative and muted yet vibrant color palette.

Each Day You Drown A Little, 2010, watercolour and thread on rice paper and cotton cloth

The Chair In The Cloud, 2010, watercolour on tie-dyed rice paper

"Saraf's paintings are like poetic visions in which the land and its people act as catalysts for her imagination and emotions. Plucking some of her figures and forms from Indian miniature traditions, the artist re-casts them into ever changing mediums and situations in narrative paintings that assert their capacity for new adventures and journeys. (source)"

Do you have any favorite Indian artists?

The India Tube

2011-06-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Have any of you heard of The India Tube? I was researching places to see in Delhi when I found it and spent the subsequent 4 hours reading it (I should have been painting).

It's a magazine/online directory for everything and anything artistic, yummy, or beautiful about India.

I so wish I had come across this before I arrived, but in case any of you are planning a trip to India or know someone who is, please pass this along to them. They will love you for it and be so grateful.

Chennai Street Style

2011-06-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of firsts for me.

I took my first auto rickshaw and managed to haggle a fair price for the ride (driver didn't know who he was dealing with).

I was followed by a teenage girl and her cell phone camera through 3 aisles of grocery shopping while trying to buy mangos.

I visited Kenny at his office and met the cafeteria cook who is legitimately convinced my husband is Leonardo DiCaprio (and gives him discounts for his fame).

Then I saw this guy:

...and was immediately inspired to start a Chennai street-style blog.

Cholamandal Artists' Village

2011-06-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today Ken took me to the Cholamandal Artists' Village, a beautiful little artist commune 8 kilometers outside of Chennai. I'd researched this community online and was so excited to finally see it in person. It's totally gorgeous, and once again I found myself bewitched by the afternoon light in this city.

At first I was really shy about taking pictures because I didn't want to seem any more intrusive than I already felt. But I quickly noticed how excited everyone got at the sight of a camera. Slowly taking off the lens cap, I'd ask permission to take their picture. When people started running out of their homes to be photographed, I felt less nervous about the whole camera-in-your-face-thing and realized there was some serious mutual excitement going on.

We visited their museum, gallery, and popped in on one of the practicing artists for a studio visit. He was warm and friendly and answered all my art questions about the city. The village started 50 years ago when 30 young Indian painters pioneered this beautiful spot. 17 still live and work in Cholamandal.

We signed up for their mailing list and can't wait for their upcoming Friday night movie series. :) Aside from the mango stand outside my apartment, this totally takes the cake for favorite spot in Chennai.

Welcome India

2011-06-03T01:23:00.000-07:00

I finally arrived in Chennai yesterday morning at around 4 am, greeted by a super cute blond holding a rose. Ken stands out like a sore thumb here, but I'm hoping my ambiguous brown coloring will give him some street cred.

Our apartment is filled with so much light and seems huge after living in a tiny San Francisco studio. More pictures to come, but until then here's a peek...

Turns out I had no idea what fruit was supposed to taste like until yesterday, when I took my first bite of an Indian mango. It was literally like a bomb of delicious went off in my mouth. If you visit India for no other reason, visit for the mangoes.

Still setting up studio, but can't wait to start making some new paintings. Cheers friends.

A year ago today

2011-05-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

I scored. Big time.

Happy 1 year anniversary to my love! I still feel like the luckiest and can't wait to live the rest of my life with you. xo.

*And here's a few more wedding pics, if you'd like to see. :)

SFAI Graduation

2011-05-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

With graduation a week behind us, it's now just sinking in that I'm forever done with school.

My college graduation was very traditional, but the one at the San Francisco Art Institute was pretty unparalleled in my experience. Only 1 student wore a cap and gown (he was also covered in glitter), and the ceremony took place on our rooftop campus under a giant white tent. It was freezing but gorgeous.

And I was so lucky to have my grandparents come from Arizona! Aren't they the cutest?

An MFA is a terminal degree for practicing artists, so it feels pretty surreal to realize I can be a professor now. Hopefully I'll be able to pursue that after our year in India.

Have any of you gals finished all your schooling? Did it seem like a relief or an unwelcome dose of reality?

A new painting for your Wednesday

2011-05-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

Just finished this painting in the nick of time for our MFA show.

Hope of Deliverance, Oil on Panel, 30"x40", 2011

It was purchased by one of the owners of Gallery Hijinks (so exciting!), and there's been some serious talk of a post-India show come summer 2012. Any and all crossed fingers are greatly appreciated. :) xo.

Flower Girl

2011-05-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

With wedding season in full swing (and our 1 year anniversary days away!), I can't stop swooning over flowers.

Always on the lookout for new favorite florists, I just came across the fabulous NYC based Flower Girl. Have any of you Manhatanites visited their gorgeous shop?

Owner Denise Porcaro started as a production designer, and then slowly transitioned her creative outlet into flower design. I love that they incorporate the changing seasons in their arrangements and focus on market-fresh selections.

The best part of all? Flower Girl is connected to a network of boutique florists across the USA and internationally, so you can contact them for deliveries pretty much anywhere--maybe even India! xo.

Ciao Bella

2011-05-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe there's only 4 more days for me in the "cool, gray city of love". My two years in San Francisco have been filled to the brim with milestones (engagement, marriage, grad school, whew!). But they've also been filled with 45 degree foggy mornings, little sunshine, and about a gazillion parking tickets.

Despite all the monumental life changes and nostalgia I will forever correlate with San Francisco, I can safely say I've never been more excited to pack my bags and book it on out! Serpentine and Tartine will certainly be missed, but food aside this girl is ready for some hot Indian sun.

Posting will continue to be a bit spotty over the next few weeks, but I promise lots of excitement once I get to Chennai.

And in case you or someone you know is looking for some furniture, we're having an open house this Sunday from 3-6 pm. Send me an email if you're interested in stopping by for a look.

Happy weekend friends!

[photo via Cup of Jo]