I got the idea for #56 a long while ago. It must have been a little after the year
2000 or so. The image kept coming up in my sketch books repeatedly but I didn’t
start working on it till 2005. Initially, I imagined it to be a simple, but
confrontational piece with a clean, sort of lofty presence like that of #37.
But for the past few years, I’ve been really craving to see a bit more emotional,
rough, and dynamic dimension in the work. And here, I’m not talking about the
basic nature of the work that determines what the essence of it is, but I’m talking
more about the window of how the work can be: Sort of like playing the same song
differently perhaps. It must be that there is some sort of expressionistic streak in
me and perhaps that’s guiding the work to go that way right now.
I keep finding out that being 42 years old with a wife and two small boys (well two
dogs too) is nothing I have expected. Actually, 10 years ago, I had no idea that
this would be the picture I would be in. I just wanted to be with then-my-girl-friend-now-my-wife
and I simply followed her to live with her. I bet my wife knew though… Anyway,
it’s amazing to see life through kids’ eyes, keeping up with their energy, trying to
be patient in a group setting, and just trying to balance the time I spend in the
house and in the studio. It’s very, very challenging, exciting, and I should
say that it’s a life on the edge! I thought growing up as a teenager was tough
but growing up as a parent and husband, I mean just as a man can be a time
with lots of dramas and turmoils.
So getting back to talking about #56, I wanted the piece to go through a bit
more, like I’ve been going through. I think I am very comfortable with how
it looks now. And I hope you enjoy it too.
Here are a few of the images. You can find the full set (8 views with large view
option) at the main part of the site. At the page, please click on #56 at the bottom
bar to go to the #56 menu page. It does take a bit to load, please be patient. If you
have been to the site lately, you might have to clear the cache of the browser to see
the new addition.