Why My Sketchbooks Look Like Trash

"still life" - a newer outlook?

My ventures with art began in charcoal, I would draw images of anything around me, magazine covers, candles stands, photographs and souvenirs. My sketchbook was my camera, my way of journaling without knowing how to write words, my escape into a world where got to reimagine these objects in my surroundings. 

Today I have acquired a hint a skill and an overload of creative expression and flow when it comes to my artwork. I enjoy really deep and intense shadow work, so bold marks, sharp turns and all that. 

Well more recently, I also put together a collection of objects that capture the feeling which was projected in that moment and time when I drew he piece. I put together a wooden carved box, a table mat and these large dried droppings from a tree, made a lighting setup and spent about an hour and a half on it. 

 Another one- 

 India, where I am from, is the body of rural handicrafts, from cotton textiles to pottery and ceramics. Besides preserving our culture and art, the roadside flea markets, present in every corner of every state, provide employment, along with cheap and sustainable crafts. The inside and outside that I wanted to represent here, are the demolishment of these crafts. In Oct 2021 and again in April 2022, many markets were knocked by Urban Development associations. Not just that, I believe that as a society, many of us have completely rejected these artisans in the craze for imported goods and 'modernization'. I used objects that I had bought from the very popular flea markets of the country (The shoes from Amritsar, the doll and clay pots from Rajasthan, and the ceramics from the local 'Banjara' Market)  and tried to depict their ability to ornament. 

The other set of objects are the broken ones, (those that have been neglected- the broken pieces and bricks)

It was interesting to me, how the face of my country on the outside is represented by its craft, yet at the same time, its special quality is thrashed and rejected by its own people.

Well, what was the point of all this? I think for me, especially now that I try to work on more creative and imaginative pieces those that have deep meanings and thoughts behind, I understand its important for me to go back and look into things that I made as a child and remake them. Its interesting how something like a still life can be so engrossing, because it keeps you focused in objects you're capturing, as if they become your world and you notice and recollect their importance, value and story. 

So please, pick up an object and simply spend a hour, either drawing it, writing about, reinterpreting its value instead of scrolling through reels on Instagram, make yourself interested in your surroundings.