This site has had a mini changeover.   The colours and layout have changed and the focus on the main page is in on a current favourite piece with a slide show of recently finished work.  This blog which is now being updated infrequently has moved off the main page.

The most potent muse of all is our own inner child. (Stephen Nachmanovitch) and right now it beckons me to continue my journey!

Source : Robert Genn’s Art Quotes

There has been a lull in my painting life after the excitement of the Colombo Art Biennale which took place in early September.  Most of the time has been spent moving in to our new home, settling things in and then in the midst of it all a 3 week break!    Got back earlier this month raring to go.  There’s still a bit of clearing to do before the Studio can be considered to be ready.

A while ago I had applied to Gawker Artists and was delighted to hear from them yesterday that they’d accepted my entry and listed me on their site.

Gawker Artists is a curated online art community and exhibition program promoting the works of artists of all media. Participating artists receive profile pages on Gawker Artists and are eligible to have their works published in the ad space on Gawker Media titles and included in Gawker Artist sponsored exhibitions. All participation for artists and exhibitors is free.

Currently there are 1,108 artists listed by them and there’s a form for submitting your art if you are interested.  Gawker Artists is a part of Gawker Media.  And Lifehacker and Gizmodo, both sites that I’ve been following for a while now, belong to the group.

The theme for this years biennale is “Imagining Peace”

Peace – to encourage peace between and within nations, communities, families and individuals.  This is not so much about showcasing Sri Lankan art; this is a project with a vision. This is to show the world that despite the fact that Sri Lanka is a seemingly politically, ethnically polarized society, artists can work together as collectives, a sign of peace in itself. “Imagining Peace”- Imagining that people can work together. Source : CAB Mission

I believe that for sustained peace we need to shake off the past and move ahead.  The lotus flower amongst other things symbolizes peace. It is a beautiful representation of the indomitable and pure human spirit that has the ability to rise above the mud and murky waters to bloom into its pristine beauty.  The prospect of peace, unknown beyond past darkness is just as thrilling.  This has been the inspiration for the piece “Rise above the Past”

“Rise above the Past” 36″ X 48″ Acrylic on canvas.

Annoushka Hempel is curating the work of 3 artists including me and you can read more about it in this clipping which appeared in The Daily Mirror this morning.