Varanasi Creativity Workshop

We conducted a pilot of our first "Creativity Workshop" in Varanasi November 21-23. Below are pictures of some of the participants and their outcomes.





















One of the projects was an "individual collaboration" as each participant, given a lump of clay, formed an image of what God was putting on their heart for India. After all were completed they were put together in the above arrangement...

The culmination of the Workshop was at Kingdom International Fellowship (KIF) on Sunday where Chuck spoke on biblical creativity and Janis & kids started a large painting of India's imagination being unleashed. The concept for the painting was unleashed by this "thumbnail" sketch of an idea that came to Janis while she was in a beauty salon...



Here are a couple of young artists from among the many KIF kids who gladly helped...


Chuck helped the next day with touch up and background...












Janis beside the finished painting...


This final product will remain with KIF in Varanasi...

Construction

For over a month, now, construction has been taking place in front of our building. We think there may be some "politics" involved in why it is taking so long. In the meantime, as you can see, it is a bit inconvenient getting in and out. The parking below the building is entirely cut off and inaccessible to the road.

Mid- Project - lasting about 3 weeks












"Almost" Done - as it is currently, and has been for over a week. The concrete slabs are supposed to cover the ditch.

Creative Conscience Workshop

Every year a Delhi NGO sponsors a "Creative Conscience Workshop for artists from around India to gather for a week to share lives and focus their art on a common topic of social concern. The artists come from a variety of backgrounds (clasically trained, self-taught, free-lance, amateur...) and beliefs (Hindu, Muslim, Christian). Last year the theme was on "female foeticide." In follow up, this year's theme was: Violence against Women – Exploring gender identities and the roots of violence against women in India.

Below are some of the people and pieces of art that were being produced...
Janis'
Chuck's


Aunty Shakti, an 80+, self-taught artist, who is very bold in the subjects she chooses, intends to do a joint exhibit in March with Janis and two other female artists.












A "Gallery" of other works - some finished, some still in progress;






















The daughter of the caretakers looked forward to her "impromptu" art lessons with Janis Aunty.

Neighbors

The first week of November we were away at the annual Creative Conscience Workshop. The 2nd week we were both quite ill, so some of these next posts will be catch up :(...

Our Neighbors...
...from previous residence in Saket, had a baby boy recently!









New friends from 1 floor below...









Across the hall, at Diwalli, this young neighbor said, "Aunty, Aunty, come watch the bombs with me!" while inviting Janis to accompany him to the rooftop to see the prolific fireworks.

From Diwalli on, it seems there is an endless series of festivals of various sorts - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh... All of which seem to be decorated by marigold garlands, lights, and many bright decorations...

Mussoorie Home Stay

One unexpected development while in Mussoorie was doing this wall mural outside the front of the residence in which we stayed. Originally we thought the building was abandoned, later we discovered two coolies lived in it! When they came home, they were very pleased.
Before:

After:










The occupants:













Some of the artists who helped...










Inside the home in which we stayed...




















A view of the Landour sector of Mussoorie with mosque in background:


Below is the area known as "Cricket." On the left is considered the Muslim sector. On the right the Hindu sector. And straight ahead is considered the Tibetan sector. In practice however, these groups are intermingled. We ate in two of the homes in these sectors.









This is the infamous ditch Janis fell into one night as she was reaching to smell a flower!

1x1 Abstract Exhibit - "Mindscapes"

Reflections Art Gallery in Delhi sponsored an exhibit of 1'x1' abstract paintings on the theme of "Mindscapes." Janis completed two pieces, Chuck also completed two pieces, and together we collaborated on one piece. This is something we're looking forward to doing more together.

"Quo Vadis" - Janis (acrylic on canvas)


"Torn Soul" - Janis (mixed media, cloth and acrylic on canvas)...

Sometimes our minds tell us things which are untrue.

Until just recently, I thought the fabric of my soul had been torn as a child, because of experiencing years of severe abuse. I thought I could mend the tear that affected my worth and value as a human being. For a long time I tried to repair it by doing good for others, hoping each good deed would add one more stitch to lessen the gaping hole. I now realize this hole does not exist, because my value does not rest on the past and there is nothing I need “to do” to prove my worth. We all have been gifted with innate value that is ours for the receiving.


"passageway of color"- Chuck (acrylic on canvas)...

How do humans actually see color? Between the path of light from an object to the receptors of the eye, and the electrical impulses transmitting that information to the brain, eventually leading to the brain’s processing of that information, many complex interactions have taken place allowing us the privilege of seeing and appreciating color.




"a beginning..." - Chuck (acrylic on canvas)








Janis and Chuck working on the collaborative piece...








"Eye Cue" - collaborative by Janis and Chuck (acrylic on canvas)...
Will there ever be a way to assess all aspects of a person’s intelligence - ”a complete intelligence quotient”? Our minds are so complex and continually undergo change as we learn and experience each new day. Daily our “mind’s eye” - or imagination - plays an essential role in adapting, solving, and creating. If there is ever an exam to accurately assess the whole of our intelligence, the imagination should be one of the first aspects tested.

The paintings on display in Reflections Gallery...