January took me to Jaipur in Rajasthan, also known as "The Pink City" and perhaps the heart of Northern India. Ahead of me awaited a watercolor workshop with Gudrun and our colleagues from various parts of the world.
The air in Jaipur was cooler than I had imagined. The morning was misty, the sun warming during the days, and the evenings crisply humid. On the first day, we absorbed the culture, the environment, the city, and its sounds. The international Kite Festival was in full swing with its hundreds of colorful kites soaring in the sky. A festival that honors the sun god and is celebrated around the time of the winter solstice when the sun enters the sign of Capricorn. The festival is a symbol that the winter darkness has transitioned into longer and warmer days. All these impressions were a fantastic way to start off the watercolor course.
I painted with a variety of shades that I layered in a way that created rich and nuanced effects. Similar to the different tastes and scents achieved when mixing a spicy Masala. I let the scents from the garden's blooming lemon trees mingle with the rich aromas of the market and the stench of the bustling alleys we encountered on our earlier city walk. I imagined the result would be colorful and lively with a depth of hearty warmth. And in my creation, I tried to incorporate everything I experienced in the moment.
When I look back on my time in Jaipur, I’m not only seeing my watercolors in front of me but also loads of amazing impressions, encounters, and experiences. A “watercolor masala” that continues to inspire and color my creativity. And the best part is it doesn't have to be perfect; it's simply peaceful and fun. You should try it too!
From now on I will let my watercolor box rest side by side with the computer.
//Anna, Head of Design
