Wandering Mist – Inspiration is everything – Page 13 – Art, Design and Inspiration Unlimited

The Pain of Separation

November 10, 2010 Filed Under: My Paintings By Ishrath Humairah 11 Comments

an oil painting by ishrath humairah depicting pain, depression, lost hope, war separation, faith and more

Separation - Oil on Canvas - 12"x16"

Separation
Oil on Canvas
12″ x 16″

Separation was painted more than a decade back, when I chanced upon a photograph of war-torn people on the internet. Deeply disturbing and moving, this photo remained in my heart for a very long time.

And when I set out to paint, this embrace formed on the canvas. Was it the mother or the angel… who knows. The pain was building up while the brush moved effortlessly. It was painful, not cathartic.

It was difficult to imagine separation of loved ones, of losing loved ones, of the spoils of wars, of leaving children to fate, of becoming an orphan….

Millions of children around the world have been orphaned for no fault of theirs. If losing loved ones was not enough, they even lost their identity, home, warmth, security, love, and the arms that they could always run to.

Wars killed. Widows remained. Children were orphaned.
We then make peace with our conscience by quoting destiny, fate and higher reason.

Why call it their fate when it is the very ordain we write?
Why call it their destiny when we are the ones who make war?
Why call it higher reason wherein could not rise above ourselves?

To paint the life of someone else is to live their life for those moments. And to paint the living soul in pain is devastating. You cannot express. It is felt within. You become one. The painting wraps you around itself – even when you are done.

You cannot cry because it is not enough.

Here is an expression I waited for… from a beautiful soul poet – Ansul Nooreen Khan. There is not a soul who is not moved by her verses. Here is her Ode to the Orphan. It never fails to move me to tears. I cannot find anything better than this ever and probably never will. There is unbelievable amount of hope and faith midst despair. How can it not move you?

An Ode to the Orphan

Oh nameless enchanted flower!
Will my love suffice to give thy scent a name?
Or shall I bestow to thee my life?

Oh aimless ethereal breeze!
Shall I show my path to thee?
Or deliver you from strife?

Oh flightless angel lost!
Shall I kiss thy wings to heaven?
Or paint a newer sky?

Oh tearless eyes that plead!
Shall I fill thy orbs with bliss?
Or drink those tears that died?

Be not silent my little seed,
For in my earth will I sow your fate,
Where you will reap the fruit,
When in eternal sleep I rest.

I gifted this painting to my mother. And for every mother who had to be separated from her child, a prayer.

Blended Blues – Oil on Canvas

October 26, 2010 Filed Under: My Paintings By Ishrath Humairah 43 Comments

“Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the Deity to be a source of delight”
John Ruskin

Blended Blues – Oil on Canvas – 12″x24″

Blended blues are a part of every artist’s repertoire. Almost all the artists I have met and seen their works have a blended blues in their collection. And why not? These gradients are so beautiful and easy on the eye that it is hard for most artists refuse to part with thier primary creations. Blue compositions are taught to budding artists to best understand perspective. I never quite understood that until I met a painter, many years back, who showed me his lessons in art. They were blue – in many shades possible and the gradient did give the composition some depth and perspective. Hmmm, I kind of learnt my lesson then.

It may look down right easy to blend in different shades of blues, but the painter alone knows how those shades and hues surfaced on the canvas, amongst the million options to chose from. The color of the skies, seas, sadness, twilight and more, there is no person on Earth who does not like a shade or two – of blue.

“Of all the colours, blue and green have the greatest emotional range. Sad reds and melancholy yellows are difficult to turn up.”
William H Gass

Blended blues was made recently as a respite from the fiery artworks that were coming out more often. A calming sight, as it dried, this painting stood at the same spot for many days. A soothing rectangle to look at when nothing seemed to work.

Again, the photo is not a true representation of the painting as it does not show the actual strokes and colors. The Blues include Prussian, Cerulean hue, Cobalt and a hint of Turquoise, on a white base. Blended from shallow to deep and from darkness to light, these blues but will always be close to my heart. They now hang on a blue-lover’s wall.

“Colour and I are one. I am a painter.”
Paul Klee

Blended Blues – Untitled
Oil on Canvas Panel – Unframed
12″x24″
SOLD

Water – For Blog Action Day 2010

October 14, 2010 Filed Under: Going Green By Ishrath Humairah 16 Comments

All the water that will ever be is, right now.
National Geographic

Blog Action Day, an annual event held every October 15, focuses on Water as its action theme for this year.

Blog Action Day 2010 – Water (Pix Credit: water.org)

Water, one of the basic human rights, is getting scarce at an unimaginable pace. The earth’s natural systems are no longer able to replenish this resource like before. Given this scenario, major global conflicts in future will be for water and for lands where the rivers flow.

It is not without a reason that water is the next commodity to fight for. This ‘manna from heaven ’, ‘liquid gold’ and ‘the oil of tomorrow’ is all set to make a mark on the stock exchanges soon.

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.
Thomas Fuller

Five years back, my old bore well gave copious water at 150 feet depth. It dried. We had to go additional 500 feet to keep ourselves watered. It is unimaginable that in a span of 5 years (not lifetimes), the water table has reduced by hundreds of feet. This is a grim reminder to the fact that there is definitive end to the natural resources but not to man’s needs. And that in this lifetime we are witnessing the start of the world’s worst water crisis.

Water in India is a paradox. It has always been the boon and the bane for the length and breadth of the nation. North India gives birth to water. South India fights for the rivers that flow. Northwest India is a water-starved desert. And Eastern India has the highest rainfall that helps none.

And to top it, the water woes in India include contamination, inadequacy, denial, corruption, portability problems, access, deaths & diseases, pollution, irresponsible industrial growth dependant on water, and a whole lot more.

This vast country with handful of rivers transversing through its length and breath, kept the flora, fauna and man alive since early civilizations. Because of water and other natural resources, man settled in this land, made his home, traded and more. That ‘more’ has now resulted in many disputes for water.

Thoughtless and rapid development, urbanization, globalization, etc., continually spell doom for the Earth. From deforestation, accelaration in climate changes, reckless development, to scarcity of natural resources… I do not see any reason why the Earth should not purge itself clean of human (?) beings.

They say that a gifted land is the also the cursed one. In this case, fertile lands with lakes and streams will be the target of many multinationals who can do anything done to suit their balance sheets. A case in the point is the famed unfair contract by Nestle with McCloud. There are far more worse cases in India most of which do not get reported.

India does have a comprehensive water policy and a government department to look into the water affairs of the country… but what good can they be if the aam-junta cares nothing about this precious resource and continues to use it like no tomorrow.

Children of a culture born in a water-rich environment, we have never really learned how important water is to us. We understand it, but we do not respect it.
William Ashworth

We have forgotten our ingenious ways of life where every natural resource such as water, was used and not abused. There were no endless showers, hot tubs, rain parties, or huge water tanks to ensure that the water kept running during all ablutions. Water was rationed as per use. There was no concepts of 24/7 water supply where every household had to dig into their bit of land. We, with knowledge, cognizance and responsibility, are continually turning earth into living hell.

Our earth was always a bit of heaven; for heaven is imagined to be a fertile place where pristine waters flow. If not reclaim it, can we just learn to live with whatever little we have. Can we ensure that we leave the same for our kids and future generations to come?

Will we ever stop?

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Group Artists Painting Exhibition at Chitramayee State Gallery of Fine Arts, Hyderabad

October 12, 2010 Filed Under: My Paintings By Ishrath Humairah 11 Comments

The Chitramayee State Gallery of Fine Arts, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, is hosting its periodic group exhibition for artists from 13th – 24th October 2010, called Mann Ke Teen Rang. I am participating with few of my works this time. This would be a great opportunity for artists and art lovers to come together under one roof, for there will be a variety of artworks by a large pool of artists. These 10 days of art exhibits, viewing others works, getting inspiredd, and a lot more, should be exciting.

Free Within – Geologic Abstract Tryptich

Geologic Abstract Oil Painting on 3 Canvas Panels

I chose this painting as rocks are an integral part of the the Hyderabadi landscape. For those who are in love with rocks, gigantic boulders, and natural geologic rock formations, Hyderabad is the place to come and see them in their natural splendour (before they vanish, thanks to the ruthless devastation under the guise of urban development). Having grown up midst the rocks, it is but natural to bring them in my abstracts. The bonus being the fact that the State Art Gallery itself is nestled among and above these natural rocks formations. If not for the artworks, you can still view the building edifice.

The Refuge I Seek – An Abstract Landscape Painting in Oil Media

landscape_abstract_oil_painting_in_earthy_tones_by_ishrath_humairah_impressionism_surrealism_textures

Deja vu – Abstract Impressionist Landscape Painting – Oil on Canvas

I included “The Refuge I Seek” abstract landscape oil painting as I repeatedly saw figures and rural artworks at the gallery. I wanted to bring in my share of impressionism.

I am hoping that I will get to see a lot of different works and styles of other artists. Indeed, there is no end to the joy of seeing an artwork before your eyes.

View More at:
Chiramayee State Gallery of Fine Arts,
Road No. 1, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur,
Hyderabad
India.