artnlight

The beginning of another New Year. Another chance, actually 365 more chances. A lot of things have been going through my head these past couple of weeks, and some of the things that are blinking back at me bright are the things that I would not have caught myself thinking of earlier. These are things that I need to look at, and bring in more of. I just wanted to share that with you. 

And a new year is as good a time as any other to take stock and to look ahead. I wish each of you a brilliant and beautiful 2015. A year where you get closer to the way you want yourself and your to be. A year of bravery, not necessarily the loud kind, but the kind of bravery that it takes to wake up into another day and give it a genuine fresh shot, the bravery it takes to love better. The bravery it takes to speak a truth you've always known but never spoken to the one closest to you. The bravery it takes to take your work to the next level. The bravery it takes to learn something new. The bravery it takes to admit you might have been wrong. The bravery it takes to say no, simply and clearly without feeling the need to justify yourself. 

And the things that I mentioned that were blinking brightly at me are: 

Its ok to ASK. For anything, for help, support, it might mean just asking for a conversation with someone because you've missed them in your life. I've figured it does not come easily for me to ask. But who knows what that will open up. No chance, no dance :)

The other thought that been going on and around in my head is to go in and nourish from the inside without worrying about the outside. Which might translate to doing things for yourself and your body, which might translate to starting a practice - anything, conscious breathing, drawing, just listening to music and doing nothing else along with that - you get the drift. In this smartphone and facebook era where the immediate temptation is to do and show - why not start something just for yourself which is not about sharing with the whole world. Its a thought. 

Congratulations Harishri, please do contact Syu with your mailing address. 

AND. Shilpa Kamath Prabhu is the winner of the Artnlight Hamper from the Artnlight Season of Gratitude Year-End Sale. 

This year began for me with a break and a really exciting project simultaneously. When good friend and creative whiz Asavari Honavar announced project 365 on my FB page, I knew this was it. Project 365 is a photography project where all participants click one photograph a day and by the end of the year have 365 pictures to speak for the year. It is not a new concept and all who were familiar with flickr have seen photographers participate in this year after year. But this is my 1st and the prospect of the discipline and commitment it will take to participate in and complete this project, filled me with trepidation and excitement at the same time. Sign that I MUST do it :) This project is spearheaded by the very young and dynamic nature lover and photographer Laura Beth Drilling from Iowa, who keeps the group enganged and enthused with not just with regular constructive appreciation but also with a lot of fondness and openness. 

A couple of things happened as a result of this project. I find that I'm using my camera a lot more and that I'm more often than not looking to see if I can good picture. Earlier my camera would just come out when I am in 'work mode' or out travelling or covering something specific. Now I'm just a lot more open to shooting almost anything. Things that I wouldn't normally shoot. And the most interesting discovery I'm making is that I'm less paranoid of 'exposing' any particular aspect of my life by taking a picture of it. Privacy has always been a big thing in my head, since I'm online so much. How much to show, one picture a day will be like telling every one - 'this is my life'. I think this is the biggest mental block I have been able to overcome while saying yes to this project. And its been going good so far. 

Sharing with you a few of my more favourite pictures from the project and some things that I ended up taking many pictures of, just for the love of it. 

 And seeing how the other participants are shooting and how their project is shaping up has been a great teacher and motivator. So glad I said yes to this. 

 So yes, do expect to see a lot more of my camera clicks this year. Will pop in every now & then with a post on the progress with my project 365. Or maybe make it a regular feature on this blog.

Many of these pictures are not the kind I would normally click or even see for that matter. In a very literal sense this project is proving to be an eye opener.

In a way, this project is symbolic of a lot of things that I would intend my 2013 to be. Discipline, really putting to use what I have, whether it is my camera, my time or my talents. And being consistently productive. One day at a time. I wish you all a similar year. And if you want to start your own project 365, go right ahead and it needn't be clicking one picture a day. It could be drawing one sketch a day, writing one para a day, one doodle a day or anything really. As long as it excites you and makes you happy. And don't worry if you will be able to continue and see it through the year or anything. Just start. And take one day at a time.