Thinking aloud through sketches, words and humour
Koi didn’t visit Monk for over a week. She spent time reflecting on all the conversations over the last few days. Soon, winter arrived and the mornings got even more colder. At the crack of dawn, a expansive blanket of fog stretched sleepily across the lake. At the bank, where Monk sat every day, a... Continue Reading →
“What is gut feel, Monk? I hear everyone speaking about this and instinct and intuition. Tell me more.” Koi had been waiting to ask the monk this question since the last evening. Monk gifted Koi his trademark smile, that always radiated suddenly from his calm meditative visage. “Your questions are getting interesting Koi. Often, you... Continue Reading →
There was a slight drizzle and Koi wasn’t sure he would find the monk. She swam towards the garden anyway, amidst gentle ripples that danced as raindrops kissed the water. The monk was there, in his regular spot by the water, sitting cross legged with an aura of calm around him, unperturbed by the rain... Continue Reading →
The Koi was back after a few days. Swimming up to the monk on a cold winter morning, as a blanket of fog hung over the lake. The monk spoke first, with his eyes gently shut, yet sensing Koi was nearby in silence. “You are back Koi. How have you been?” “I am well Monk.... Continue Reading →
The Monk eyes were still shut, but he sensed an aura of restlessness as Koi approached him. “Is everything ok, Koi?” asked the monk with his eyes still closed. The Koi spoke as he neared the banks of the zen garden. “Monk, I am not feeling happy today. I watched you and have been trying... Continue Reading →
I have begun creating some time lapse videos of the monks being sketched. This is an initial exploration of the same. I am going to try and do this regularly and share the process of how the illustrations are created color, ink and all.
I am having fun finding inspiring quotes and bringing them to life as sketches. Here are a couple of pages from the sketchbook.
To be in a place where you can mould your self without the baggage of the past. To be able to access, be aware of and then let go of everything which doesn't sit well with our values. To be able to simply be in a state of equanimity and see situations and moments for... Continue Reading →
An illustration I made over coffee yesterday where I attempted to depict what meditation is for me. Meditation is to spend time in quiet thought where the mind is an empty vessel. The mind learns to form a ring that keeps external chatter completely away and slowly submerge into a space of complete inner silence. ... Continue Reading →
What we do determines what comes back to us tomorrow and not in the next life. Instant karma is knowing our actions create a boomerang of activities - good or bad.
sometimes just let go of urgency, allow time to be a child. Let time just play without reason or a pursuit. Just being in the moment.
Leave yesterday. Forget about tomorrow. Just savor how magically Now unfolds.
a series of new sketches on being in the now. More meditative monks symbolizing the essence of soaking in every passing experience and switching off often.
having fun with a new series where messages are hidden in the drawings within the elements. Trying phrases now across elements. These are a build up to a large size image with a full sentence made up all over the frame. Watch this space and try and find the messages in these pictures.
I tried blending 2 styles of sketching which I love and the results are interesting. The process is more than meditative and I empty my mind when I draw, imagining myself as a monk creating patterns in the garden.
My sketchbook is filled with monks now. It is fast evolving into my own meditation space. I blank my mind completely and let the pen do its work letting things evolve on their own. Finding kanji for values which resonate with me is exciting. The pictures tend to depict these values and then I seek... Continue Reading →
My next series. On the focus and ethic of the samurai warrior.
Decided to try my hand at Arabic calligraphy. The forms are exquisite and flow so smoothly. Wish I could read and know if I am writing the right things. For now enjoying the meditative flow of just writing and seeing forms come alive.
I have been having a blast exploring while attempting to learn hand lettering. Meanwhile, the monk has also been making guest appearances in a few pages and Rumi stays the flavor of the season. Note to self: get more colors than just Blues in the pages. 🙂
Presenting today's sketch
Here's a pic of my sketchbook where I sketched my interpretation of mediation. The central thought was about the art of thinking nothing and letting the mind become an empty bowl. It's only then that we find ourselves with complete clarity.
Last night I played around with hand drawn type. I was trying to get depth and three dimension using markets and color pencils. After many wasted sheets, an interesting style emerged. I am further going to develop this style later and add layers and depth. This was meditative by the end of it, just these... Continue Reading →
I have recently been bitten by the hand drawn typography bug and trying to wrap my head around this skill. I'm practicing and learning the art of creating visually appealing forms that can inspire. Using quotes and thoughts manifested as hand written type gives them an added allure. Here are a few explorations from my... Continue Reading →
A collection of scans from my sketch books of notes I have taken at various seminars and coaching sessions. I use the notes to visually summarise the learnings such that I never forget them again. When I do glance at the notes years later, everything comes rushing back clearly. These have served me well. I... Continue Reading →
SEEKING ANSARS 