The year 2020 started on an art high for me with my show at the Lalit Hotel. The calendar ahead was exciting with an art fair and a long awaited vacation planned. But then came March and the world came to a standstill. Like others around the globe I was safe at home wondering when the lockdown will end. The days passed in doing household chores and evening teas in the balcony listening to birds. Daily art kept me going. But it was clear that this is not going to be a year of art meets, exhibitions and workshops. So I was obviously thrilled when I was asked to do a commissioned painting.

The client had a simple request. They wanted a poem written and I was free to add any artistic elements I wanted. The catch was the size. I love working on small format sometimes as small as 2.5inches X 3.5 inches. The largest size I had done was 3 ft X 6ft. Now this painting was to be 2.5ft X 13 ft, in 2 panels. Thirteen feet! It was daunting and exciting.

I got the framer to come to my studio and stretch the canvases. There was no way these would’ve fit in my car. I set them up on chairs and they took up the entire length of my studio. Then it hit me! I just sat down and stared at all thirteen feet of white space and wondered how had I talked myself into this? I must’ve sat there for about twenty minutes wondering where to begin.

But white space always beckons an artist to leave a mark on it. I picked up a pencil and with a few strokes started colour blocking.

Thus began a fun journey of nearly a month working with acrylics, gold foil and oil paints. The calligraphy was the toughest part but immensely satisfying.

The client was very happy with the result and hung it up within a day of taking it. The couple loved it while their daughters said it reminded them of school because of the poem! Kids do say the darnest things.

This was a painting that made be break out of my boundaries. My fear of large canvases was conquered. I experimented successfully with new techniques. It was positive affirmation of life in the times when the pandemic is bringing everyone down.