The idea of painting or drawing was far from my imagination. This was partly due the fact that art classes did not feature much in my childhood and since I had pursued more analytical disciplines, perfectionism became a hurdle in my life. Creative ventures were an unknown dimension that I feared to explore.
However, during the summer of 2018, while I was visiting in Moscow, Masha, my Russian mother, offered me watercolour paint, paintbrushes and paper. I cringed at the idea of placing an object on blank paper. It wasn’t so much the act of painting that caused the anxiety but it was the thought of being told that my creations are not good enough. I realise now that it was because I cared about the opinion of others and a part of me recognized that this was a moment for a breakthrough. Thankfully, Masha’s reassuring smile gave me enough confidence to honour the invitation and I allowed my inner child to play, a creative bubble appeared and I leaped into it.
Alchemy occurred as a result of my willingness to follow the impulse to indulge this new experience. Something as ordinary as paint and water turned into an extraordinary orange elephant, one that dissolved long-standing insecurities regarding my creativity.
My passion for painting continued to grow and when I found myself in the fortunate position of being locked down, due to the world pandemic in Rishikesh, India, I surrounded myself with water-coloured friends. I shared the joy of painting with my housemates and gave a painting to one of them as a farewell present.
And to express her gratitude, she gave to me an elephant-headed brass idol. I did not recognise at the time that her gift represented Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god who removes obstacles according to Hindu mythology.
It dawned on me a few months later that my first painting of the orange elephant symbolizes Lord Ganesh, for it removed the obstacles that stood in the way of my creativity. Therefore, I feel that it is appropriate to dedicate my first post to Lord Ganesh, who can also be called upon to bless a new venture and to Masha for being a catalyst in the rebirth of my artistic expression.
My painting journey began with an orange elephant and so begins my writing journey, with the story about the orange elephant…
Jai Ganesh Deva
