Monday, January 22, 2018

Elephant Wandering

I was immediately attracted to a golden elephant statue, 
in the midst of many lovely tea cups, pots, & decorative objects at our local Tea Room 
when I went sketching with the Group. 

The above sketch no longer exists because I was overly critical of it. 
I went home, painted it over with gold acrylic paint, & then ~ tore it up. 
Note to self: Don't be so quick to reject the results of my sketching.

(A friend had taken the photo before I destroyed the picture.)
2nd version, sketch from the sketch,
it doesn't have the spontaneity of the first. IMHO. 
In one of the many books these days about sketching, 
I am reminded that I do this for the love of the process, 
more than for the result. 
However, the results are part of the process.
More Elephant explorations in my 7 1/2 by 11" book 
(that does not have watercolor pages.) 
Ganesh, the Hindu Remover of Obstacles. I need this.  
The Smithsonian Elephant, my friend from chilhood. 
Elephants at the Washington Zoo, we also go way back.

I don't think I'll ever go to Africa or Asia,
but I would like to visit some elephants.
Did you know there are some amazing online videos?


Have you seen real elephants? Do you believe in Ganesh?

PS. Have you read the beautiful & sensitive story,
 The One and Only Ivan?
It is for young readers, but it is for everyone.

18 comments:

  1. Witam. Słonie to ja widziałam tylko w ZOO. Twoich szkiców nie skrytykuję, bo mi się podobają. Dla mnie są super. Ślę buziaka.

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    1. Dziękuje, Giga, for visiting! And I just love your blog, learning about your life in beautiful Poland and Europe. śckiskam serdecznie, Rita

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  2. I love your statue piece and I especially love how you integrate your sketching with the color. It really is beautiful.

    Also, a thank you for your comments on Marmelade Gypsy. Yes, anything we can do to make someone's day brighter is a kindness. And I loved that there was a snow rocking horse you could really ride! That's fabulous! Do try the chicken dish -- and you can always substitute other things if you don't have something on hand (Veggies, especially!)

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    1. Thank you, Jeanie. I'm so glad we are connected through Blogspot, Jeanie. Marmelade Gypsy inspires me, I find there happiness, brightness, and kindness, for sure!

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    2. I'm glad we are connected too. Coming here is one of my great joys!

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  3. I think they are all equally wonderful. Its hard to see your own work until some time elapses. An interesting subject. I studied Indian art with a fabulous historian at U of Penn, Stella Kramrisch. She held elephants in very high esteem and passed it on to us. You can see my Ganesh Indian miniature here:
    http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.fr/2011/09/master-painters-of-india-11001900.html
    I did ride an elephant up to a palace in Jaipur, the pink city in Rajastan. I highly reccommend visiting India though I might skip the elephant ride and definitely the camel ride next time. Anyone who loves color will be utterly thrilled. A unique experience.

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    1. PS I have always loved Babar, my first elephant love.

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    2. Hey, PB, thanks! Love your Ganesh, & your art. Wow, You rode an elephant in India. Oh, Ganesh would have to work very hard to remove my obstacles in order for me to get to India! I long to be in that color...
      Babar!

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  4. I loved Babar♥
    I have seen real elephants..but in zoos:(:(:(
    My daughter collected elephants for years..no more..
    I love that fisrt one too!
    You are spontabeous and fluid and colorful!

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    1. Hi Monique! How lucky we are to share the colors of our lives here! I wonder if your daughter still has her elephants...
      As always, thank you for your kind words!

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  5. Loved the elephants. If I only had back all the art work I destroyed (very sad)

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    1. Yeah, I know about destroying work...I've let go of a lot of old work and feel fine about it because I WAITED to do it...Glad you like the elephants...Your National Zoo, right?

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  6. Rita - your sketches of elephants is wonderful. They are amazing animals. Have read that they never forget if someone has been kind or hurtful to them. I have done the same thing with some sketches and then unfortunately regretted doing so. The first reaction to what you are drawing does seem more vibrant. So enjoyed being here to see your elephants. Hope you have a lovely week. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie, for your comment and feedback...Oh, elephants...so much in life to fall in love with...one of those things is your blog...Hugs to you, R.

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  7. Your elephants are darling. They are such amazing creatures. I've only seen them in zoos or animal parks, and I'm not likely to ever see one in the wild, but what an experience that would be!

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. Elephants and the thought of elephants are making me very HAPPY. R.

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  8. Love these, and I love your thoughts on spontaneity, etc. Sometimes it is hard to think that something done quickly can be perfect as it is. . . but sometimes it is! xx

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. Yes, spontaneity~ obstacles can get in the way of that, so I am calling on my new friend, Ganesh to help me stay free! R.

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Thank you for your comments! They mean a lot to me!