The end is here, just like the last season of Game of Thrones (no, I don’t watch the show but I’ve been hearing the buzz), the 100 Days have finally come to an end. But not without one last jolt of art, the final subject in this tedious-but-fun series is Pastels. Yes, how can I forget these opaquely pigmented crayons? Smudging them using my fingers, creating gradients, all of it takes me back to my childhood. There’s something really satisfying from getting my hands dirty in creating something, quite an obvious from an artist I suppose.
Inspiration can hit you from anywhere and everywhere, which is why I always try to capture it through my camera. Pictures from my office window or my home or places I visit during the day, all the photographs I take or collect, act as a guide for me to recreate that moment of inspiration and awe I felt then. I’ve applied the same concept using pastels this time around. One of my favourite pastel work I did during the series, has to be the coconut tree swaying with the wind. I had shot this moment around the time when the monsoons were yet to begin, about a few months back. But the memory of it was still so strong in my head that I had to recreate it. And it had to be pastels because the colours happened to be oh so beautiful.
Now that the 100 days are over, I feel relieved and relaxed like I’ve just completed running a marathon. Many thoughts have taken over my head, like how it would’ve been impossible without the support and push from my friends and family. Especially two people very close to me, at every turn of the way, they were guiding and comforting me. Times when I felt like I couldn’t go on anymore or when I was completely burnt out, these two reminded me of my artistic thirst and that whatever I created, it had to come from within, that that was what was very important at the end. They had even planned my schedule and made excel sheets and calendars and I couldn’t have been anymore grateful. The seriousness they attributed helped me take my work more seriously than ever, ignoring all the societal taunts and pressures.
I feel a tad bit bittersweet about the subjects that I have chosen as they could’ve been simple and easy, and a lot less time-taking which could have resulted in a more successful 100 days and a lot less stress. But because of all the ups and downs I went through in creating intricate and close-to-my-heart art, it feels really special and satisfying that I put myself through this. I plan on finishing discontinued pieces of the project and work on remaining subjects sans the restraint of time.
Lastly, the overwhelming response from people who followed this project closely, I’m thankful for their feedback. It made me look forward to sharing my works with all of you.
100 Days – Fin.
