DIY Repurposed Wine Crates Coffee Table

The best way to spend a weekend is to get yourself involved in a DIY project. Its fun creating something and it ends up being useful too. So while browsing for things I could do, I came across this coffee table on Pinterest and other DIY websites. It seemed like it was doable, but wasn't quite sure how. A little more searching and voila! I found a blog with step-wise instructions on how to make this awesome coffee table. (Here's another link).

At a quick glance, here's everything you need:
4 Wooden Crates (get them at Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics)
Screws
Drill
Wooden legs (optional - Home Depot)
Wood Glue
Wood stain or paint (I used paint)

And well basically just put them together (see step wise instructions above) and you have it!

Now too fill it up with books and other things just flying around the living room.

Happy creating! :)

After adding stuff (The colors are different I guess because of lighting issues) :

Look into my eyes...

Do you see the physicality of the eye?

Do you see the colors of the eye?

Do you see the biological intricacy of the eye?

Do you see the perfect symmetry of the eyes?

Do you see a reflection of you, in me?

Do you see me judging you, measuring you?

Do you see me loving you, wanting you?

Do you see me hating you, despising you?

Do you see what I see?

Do you see kindness and peace?

Do you see calm and quiet?

Do you see perplexity and confusion?

Do you see the beauty around?

Do you see the questions unanswered but sound?

Do you see the simplicity and complexity unbound?

Do you see life and its limitless surround?

Do you see?

Open yours eyes and see!

More than a year has come and gone

More than a year has come and gone

Feels like yesterday, he was just here…

But again, I have to remind myself

He is no more, of this world...

I miss hearing his re-assuring, matured, deep voice,

It was always a short conversation over the phone,

Yet it conveyed much and seemed enough...

Who do I turn for now, for such wisdom and words?

I miss asking him, 'How are you? What is new?'

He always seemed to be able to cope with his pain,

Be it physical or psychological,

Where do I get such inspiration from now?

Memories fail me already,

But some thoughts or moments, are intact...

Times like… when I was a kid and used to hold his hand,

Walk by his side, and was called his replica...

Such pride he took in me and such confidence he had...

Barely a day before he parted...

He told me, he was alright and would be fine,

Even though, I think, he knew... That was end of line for him

In spite of all these feelings and emotions,

I know of his absence,

But mostly through sensing pain from family members

Who were there to experience his heart breaking departure

I feel his absence (well, in sorts...)

I miss him, I have accepted it too,

Yet it hasn't quite sunk in, still…!!!

Even though more a year has come and gone...

Dearest Grand-dad - 14" x 17" - Acrylic on canvas

Note to Self

When I attended a silence course a few months back, one of the activities required us to write five things that we wished to change about our-self. Here are the five things I wrote down. Still not quite doing these things, but well, always trying.. a bit everyday.. :)

Accept Change

Surrender

Be Lighter in Everyday Life

Realize that I am Insignificant

Smile More

Luffy - Oil on Canvas - 12" x 17"
He is a character from an anime called One Piece. Very inspirational. He follows everyone of those things I mentioned above. At least from my point of view!

Cheers!

Night Sky

Oh life! What is it that you want from me?

What is it that I must do to keep myself satisfied?

How do I retain that sparkle and life in my eye?

Is keeping myself occupied the only way?

Why am I so astray from myself?

Where is that connectedness I once felt (of sorts), with existence?

Why do small things in daily life bother me so much?

Why can't I just be?!

There is light within me, I know. Also the path to attain it, I have been granted. Why is it that I can't follow it with dedication? Just like a night sky... there is a moon, to guide me with a bright light... yet it seems that all I see off late is just the darkness around it... shadows and dark trees... Oh please! Let the sun shine again!

Night Sky - 9" x 12" - Oil pastel sticks on paper

उसके हाँथ

इन्ही हाँथों ने संभाला जब जन्मा ही था, 

इन्ही हाँथों ने चलना सिखाया। 

सदा होंसला दिया इन्ही हाँथों ने,

गले से लगाया इन्ही हाँथों ने, जब आँसू बहे आँखों से।

प्यार से पुचकारा इन्ही हाँथों ने, 

बिनबोले सहलाया दर्दों को, इन्ही हाँथों ने।

इन्ही हाँथों ने मंज़िल की ओर इशारा कर, तारों तक पहोंचना सिखाया, 

तालिओं की गूँज भी फिर, इन्ही हाँथों ने की, मंज़िल पाने पर। 

आज ये हाँथ, हैं रूखे-सूखे और बेजान, 

सालों की मेहेनत ने किया है, हाल बुरा इन हाँथों का।

झूरियाँ दे रही है गवाही, इन हाँथों की लम्बी उम्र की, 

बारी है मेरी, अब प्यार से सेहेलाने की, इन हाँथों को। 

क्योंकी, यही हैं वे हाँथ जिनकी वजह से हूँ, मैं आज।

Still working on this piece, but couldn't wait to share it :)

"Hard Working, Long Lived" - 18" x 24" - Oil on Canvas
(Completed Version)

Dedicated to my mom and grand-mom.

Seasons and Life

I die… Just to be born again…

A breath, inwards,

Nourishing, green,

A bud, tender and fragile

Change in season,

Youth, like spring

Fresh and joyful

Such is the state

Come summer,

Sun shines, hot and humid

Draining long hours

Eased by the rain

Fall! Oh Fall!

The end of it all!

Colors change,

Red, yellow and orange

And the cycle ends

Only to start again,

I die, just to be born again…

Took this picture at the Pine Creek Gorge, PA this Fall. (Great place to go with family and friends!!)
And it inspired me to write about seasons! Go figure! :)

A much needed retreat!

It’s intriguing to observe the ways of nature, isn’t it? For the past few weeks I had been feeling a bit aloof and disconnected from myself. Just change in life style was the cause, I am guessing. Then, almost out of nowhere, an acquaintance calls in, to check in on me and informs me of this upcoming course in silence meditation.

BAAM! BINGO!

Didn’t even take me 24 hours to decide and register for the course! In the past I have always dwelled over whether to do it or not to etc. This time, it was almost like a ‘calling’. This came just at the right time. So anyway, this past weekend was when I went for this Art of Silence course organized by The Art of Living Foundation. From Thursday 7pm to Sunday 4pm – remaining silent from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon – all we did was meditate, do some yoga, some breathing exercises and a few group activities.  These techniques are so powerful! Each time I get connected with it, I get rejuvenated, revitalized and re-energized! After the course I felt so much lighter and was smiling so much more than the past few weeks. Brilliant stuff! Now all I need to do is continue practicing meditation at home.

This is how I felt after the fact...

PS – I did do it today at home! Fingers crossed for the future! Haha J

"What does music mean to you?"

A friend asked me this question a few weeks back and ever since I have been thinking about it. What does music mean to me? At that time I told him it means 'energy'. Which is true, but after some thought, it means a lot more than energy to me.

Music...

is a friend when in need

be it day or night, in health or illness,

sadness and happiness,

emotions of all kind

Music...

is a source of calmness,

energy and revitalization

after a long day,

or just for relaxation

Music...

is to let go,

for a while, get lost, get immersed

feel the vibrations of sound

within you, and rejoice!

Music...

is to party

with friends, family or strangers

move to different beats

and so many moves for so many beats!

Music...

is every sound in nature!

listen! carefully...

from rustling of leaves

to falling of snow and rain or hail

the wind blowing...

angry and violent

or calm like a whisper

on a cold night or breezy beach

river flowing... over rocks or sand or over cliffs

Music... to me

is a constantly changing form

a friend, source of relaxation, medium to let go, ingredient to party and synonymous with nature!

And probably much more, which I might add when I think of more, or learn more...

Oh! Not to forget, my paintings are mostly done in one of the above mentioned state of minds, to which music is always playing in the background!

So what does music mean to YOU?!

A Full Time Employee

Time really does fly! It has been a full month since I started working 8 hours a day, every day, every week plus an hour’s commute to and from work each way. That’s 10 hours of my day, 7am to 6pm – add another hour or so for miscellaneous stuff that comes along with the whole ordeal. So now I have 5 or so hours remaining after getting home. Two of which is usually spent cooking, eating and hanging with housemates. With the final three hours, I waste half of it watching TV shows. Such a routine life, after having almost no regular (almost over the place) schedule for the past five years!

Do I like it? – Well I guess its better in some ways than college; advantages and disadvantages as always. I do earn – which is awesome!

Do I hate it? – Not so far! (Fingers crossed for future)

Do I want to do this my entire life? – HELL NO!

What do I really want to do with my life? – No real idea, just imagination running wild for now.

How do I spend my weekends? – Ideally, by immersing myself in drawing/painting.

What’s stopping me from doing that? – No idea!

Oh! Almost forgot – I need to buy a car soon. Technically, I should be excited about this. But it just seems like a lot of burden/responsibility/liability to own a car. On top of that, I would like to buy a car of my choice – Mini Cooper!! To this end, I must save for a few months for it to materialize. Maybe I should just do that and stop complaining about it all the time. Or I could just buy a regular old sedan and voila!

Anyway, it’s amazing how things change right after graduation and then soon after a full time job. All the things listed above were least of my worries (for the most part) during college years. Sigh, I guess I am a grown up ‘young’ adult after all… 

Life as a Post Grad

A lot has happened in the last few weeks since my graduation on June 15th 2012. My mom was here for my graduation. One of the proudest day of my life and am sure for my family as well. We all had waited so long for this day and worked so hard to earn it. Too many sacrifices and compromises were made for me to able to reach this milestone. That aside I was filled with gratitude the entire time. The fact that I was able to come to the US, study and live here, accomplish things my parents wished for - means a lot in itself.

Then there was a whole lot of traveling around the US with my mom and cousins. Such fun! But more than that, the time my mom spent along with my friends was the most precious. She blend in so well with us! None of us felt like there was a generation gap as such. She was willing to listen and accept our so called modern ideas and give us her input/wisdom regarding many such matters. Frankly, she is more of a youngster than I am...

Now comes the real world, grown up stuff! 'Oh you graduated! Congrats! So what are you doing now?' - Its a dreadful question till you actually know what is it that you want to do. And then figure out how to do it? And whether you are actually able to do it. The few weeks I spent right after graduation till I got a job, were one of the most stressful times of my life so far. I never imagined it would be this difficult to grow up and take up real life responsibilities. Of course, I had a decent idea about it, but when one actually dives into it and has to experience it, that is when realization hits! And it hits hard!

I know my parents are there to support me always, but its my turn to take some burden off their shoulders and help in anyway I can. I am just starting my career, yet so much rides on me now. It feels good to stand on my feet at the same time, it needs a lot of courage, patience and perseverance. Oh well, all I really have to do is, believe in my self and continue what I am doing - keeping doing my best. That shouldn't be all that hard... should it? :) 

Graduating Fine Art Minor Exhibit 2012

In just a few weeks, I will graduate with BS/MS in biology and a minor in FINE ART!! Sooo excited! I DID IT! I finished (well almost) all three things that I set out to do five years back! Just a couple of days back my work, along with other graduating fine art minors was displayed. It was such a thrill to have my work up there; my friends and professors all came out to support me. It was an epic evening!

More than the show itself, I am glad I was able to make some personal connections with my faculty. They are sincerely supportive and proud of my work, which includes both my major and minor. I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you all!! :)

Smile

For my painting class we finally explored translating a picture reference to a painting. We had to select an Iconic Figure and interpret it in our own way. I choose Mother Teresa as my iconic reference. As a part of interpretation, I selected a monochromatic photograph and decided to add my own colors to it. While browsing various pictures of her, one thing became certain: I wanted to preserve her positive energy and vibe she exudes. The depth in her eyes and long life evident by her wrinkled face were other things that captured my attention. But her brilliant and infectious smile is what I wanted to translate the most! I hope I have done some justice in doing so...

Mother Teresa, 18" x 24", Oil on Canvas

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love"

-Mother Teresa

...so here's to spreading smile and love!

Cheers!  

Human Form

I see a human figure

Full of vigor 

She stands proud 

Between the crowd

She is being observed

Every inch covered

We steal a glance

During the artful dance

To do her justice

I must practice

Right proportion and angle

Are the key to untangle

Her body's mystery

Hiding, layers of history

Connection

There are so many forms of connection
Physical, emotional, verbal, or just one's presence
Our cells, even at nanoscale level, know this phenomenon.
Without a connection, there is no communication
Without communication, there is no action
Without an action, there is no moving forward.

An abstract version of nanotubes connecting human B cells (Inspired from an actual EM image) - Acrylics on paper - 9" x 12"

On this sacred day, we are all connected by faith and festivity. Just by being, wherever we are in this big wide world, we are connected. I hope each one of us has had a wonderful day with friends, family and loved ones. May all your days be filled with much joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

Light and Night

All alone, in this dark night

O lord! Shine some light!

Let an angel come to me,

Like my mom, who will hug me.

Today is bright and light,

But who do I share with, this sight?

Let me meet a companion, a friend

Journey then we shall, till the end!

Impermanence

Impermanent, are friends

They come and go

Some stay longer than others

No one but your shadow,

Stays, from start to finish 

Impermanent, is love

Falling in and out of love

Arduous yet beautiful, 

Is the journey of love

Total trust is the basis of love 

Impermanent, are emotions

Anger, delight, annoyance, 

Envy, pleasure, satisfaction, pain,

How long do they last?

Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Years

So what is 'permanent'?

You! (But who are you?)

Unexpected Phone Call

Its a weekend again, and I am down with fever, cough and a ton of phlegm stuck up my nose!! (Sorry does that sound too gross? :P) On top of which I have a presentation due on Monday, a midterm on Tuesday, an assignment due on Wednesday and a proposal due on Thursday!. I also had work lined up on Sunday, which I cancelled. (Phew!) In the midst of all this I get a phone call late last night, almost asleep, whining in my misery, from an aunt of mine.

I have been in the US for 4 years and she has called me twice, maybe thrice, all in the past 6 to 7 months. We were never close as such. There is a generation gap to consider as well. But something changed earlier this year. I did something which generated a common interest between the two of us. She could connect with me despite the age factor and vice-versa. I took a course in Vipassana. My aunt has been an avid follower and practitioner since decades!

So anyway, she called. I didn't recognize her voice right away, but when I did I was so pleasantly surprised! (Such a simple gesture such as picking up the phone and calling someone can a profound effect on that someone... ) Talked about the usual, how are you? etc. Told her about my stuffy nose. She told me take care. Blah blah. Then she asked about my meditation practice and I felt a bit guilty for not being consistent with my practice. But she didn't seem to care much about it. She told me just keep doing it whenever I feel like it or have the time for it. Every time she talks to me, I can *feel* her positive energy flow into me! Literally!

She also informed me about another family member who recently did the course as well and how thrilled she was. She gave me credit to having "re-initiated" the desire to take such a course, within our family/friends. How sweet is that? Needless to say, I am elated for my other aunt who just completed the course. There will be some exciting conversations next time I meet her!

All in all, I felt light after talking to my aunt and slept relatively well despite my health. I want to thank her for just calling me, out of the blue, and blessing me all the time, and for all the positive-ness she radiates from within her! :)

Sculpted Woman

Sculpted woman of the 16th century India - "knowing love I will allow all things to come and go, to be as supple as the wind and take everything that comes with great courage...Kama Sutra by Mira Niar" - Charcoal and Graphite

I drew this sketch from the movie Kama Sutra by Mira Nair. I could relate to the sculptor when he says 'something is not right' or 'she doesn't feel right' after I drew this. Eventually he got it right, but this is all that I could manage. She still didn't feel right, but I gave up. :)

Sculpting is getting very close to your art work I think. Both painting/sketching and sculpting use hands (among most art forms and creative work) and the beauty of it all lies in how we translate what we see using our hands! 

The movie truly is a remarkable love story, very enticing! What really caught my eye was the protagonist (Indira Varma) and her saree. Really redefines how you look at saree. Varma carries herself so well in the movie, so elegant, almost floating in the costumes designed for this movie. Some scenes are so raw and others so ornate. 

This one up here is a screen shot a took during the movie. The saree is so simple but I think she looks gorgeous! This is the rawness I was talking about. Beautiful cinematography too! The picture below is ornate in comparison. Although not the best picture to describe what I mean, its the only screen shot I have, that comes close to what I am trying to say.

Yet another example is provided by a picture below where I think she is full of "hidden power". It kind of relates back to what I was talking about in my other post 'Eyes'. Although here the red spot on her forehead represent a sacred mark for love. Her lover dies and she has tried to erase the mark in this particular screen shot. Notice also the hair and the color of her saree. Everything is symbolic. Yet again, the saree just stand out for me. Simply beautiful!

At this point in the movie is when she says, "knowing love I will allow all things to come and go, to be as supple as the wind and take everything that comes with great courage..." Love literally and metaphorically sculpted this woman; this is probably true for most, if not all women even in real life.

The Why's

It is a weekend and I am sitting at home, just relaxing; procrastinating for the most part. A lot of thinking, obviously. Random things cross my mind, from future plans to what happened years ago. Most importantly about now and my reactions to certain things and people. It is very interesting to observe yourself isn't it? But hard to admit it to others when asked the same question(s). I keep convincing myself that I can be alone for the most part and I am successful at it too (I think). But there are times when I wonder why? At some other instances I know the answer too, which is hard to put in words. Bare in mind being alone does not equate to being lonely...

Another thing I can never figure out is what I want from my life. What am I doing? Seriously, I mean where am I headed, what is the goal if any? Why just keep doing 'things'? Keeping yourself busy sure does pass time quickly, rather extremely swiftly! But if you stop and not do anything then it becomes increasingly difficult to while away time. So is that a good enough reason to keep yourself busy all the time? Just to pass time quickly? Seems very quantitative. Whatever happened to quality of life. However, if I do keep some time aside for 'nothingness' what do I do? Should doing something be that important?

Meditation seems to be the ultimate answer to things, a way out from daily rut. But why do I just keep talking about it like some "oh-so-know-it-all-person" and not actually meditate a bit everyday? Is the busy, hectic, engaging, time consuming, exhausting college life a good enough excuse? Besides, an excuse for what? Its not an assignment I need to submit to someone that I need to give an excuse (authentic or not). Its for my sake that I want to do this. So technically I should "make" time for this priority. Does everyone think like this, for whatever priority they might have? Why is the human brain so amazingly complex?

I think I am just writing non-sense. So I will stop. It felt good to type some crap anyway. :)