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In our childhood, there was a popular commercial that advertised a particular beverage as being the ‘real’ thing. Though given the recent findings, that claim is dubious, the use & significance of the word “real’ has since then left an indelible mark on my conscience.

In truth, we always seek the ‘real’ thing in whatever we pursue – ‘real’ success, ‘real’ pleasure, ‘real’ solution & sometimes the ‘real’ meaning of what we do or what we want. And many times the reality reveals itself, only if we remain perceptive.

Being an Architect, I always dreamt of studying the Roman Architecture – their classical orders, their arches, vaults and domes, their public buildings, aqueducts, their triumphal arches .. virtually everything which made Roman architecture unique in the world. A few years ago, when we planned a trip to Italy, with all the knowledge from Banister Fletcher deeply rooted in my brain, I’d precisely planned to do that.

But once I visited Uffizzi, Academia & the Sistine Chapel, I realized that though I enjoyed the Architecture immensely, what I was appreciating more was not Architecture, but art.

The clarity that comes once we realize what’s ‘real’ for us, is amazing.

The next few months flew by in finding new expressions of my artwork – graphite, acrylics or ink – what would it be. Finally, I found watercolor as the ‘real’ thing for me.

In another incident in Paris which I’ve narrated before, I understood the ‘real’ meaning & use of a limited palette & my art got the direction in which I’m today.

With practice comes expertise, with expertise comes the wish to excel & exhibit.

But with more rejection & limited success, I began to ask myself the relevant question which so many people were also asking – ‘why do you paint?’

And then in a moment of truth, I realized that I paint because I love to. The process is the most enjoyable part of a painting and the best thing is I have complete control over it. For me, it is the ‘real’ thing.

I’m sure the same must be the realization with many a fellow artist. I think artists should be very clear about their ‘real’ goal & objective.

In the last few months, as I was preparing my entries for a few juried shows, I was eager to enjoy every moment of the process, which for me was the ‘real’ thing… I planned each step, then re-planned. And then started all over again. I tried different types of paper to see whether a painting looks the same on them. I made thumbnail sketches, & then using the grid method, increased the size of the composition until I reached the final size. I spent hours deciding the color palette & tried at least 2 variations – one cool & one warm – for each composition. When stuck, I used Jeannie Dobie’s famous book ‘Making Color Sing’ as a reference. The whole process was thoroughly enjoyable. Nothing can be more ‘real’ than this.

Perspective is always an interesting premise for me. After defining Baseline, Station Point & Distance of a particularly difficult aerial perspective, I used a set of binder clips fixed to chairs at two ends of the room to define the 2 vanishing points. I then tied strings to the clips to represent orthogonal lines, before finally sketching out the scene on paper. It was a fascinating experience. Maybe someday I’ll separately write about that process. It was more ‘real’ than can be.

 Trying to 'pin' a perspective

Apart from painting, as one can see, I also enjoy writing. I thought & still believe that such plain text will help express me & my processes better to people who care & maybe I could strike a meaningful bond with some like-minded artists. Share values. Or get valuable feedback from them. In the infinite world of internet, somewhere my thoughts got recorded in silent layers of ether ... It felt good, but nobody (or very few) read it. Initially, I was quite worried to see this response or the lack of it. But then I realized, the actual joy – or the ‘real’ thing if you may – is in being able to express myself, if someone read or even liked it, is just a bonus.

And like this, I think, at every stage of our journey, it is essential to seek & find the ‘real’ thing. It brings things into focus & help us course-correct, if necessary.

Since my early childhood, my mother – who herself used to be an excellent painter in her young days – has been the main support in my art exploration ... helping to make sculptures with flour dough when I was a toddler, cleaning the walls after I’ve painted on them & when I was a little older, providing me with a constant supply of art materials. She has always been my best critic too. In the last few years, she has been constantly telling me that my figure drawing is quite good & in fact, figures are the most noticeable part of my paintings. I indeed enjoyed drawing figures but didn’t pay much attention to what she said. But recently, when the editor of an international art magazine, after checking out my website, wanted me to write a short article on how to put people in a landscape, I suddenly got things in perspective once again. I realized, maybe I’m better at it.

Once again, I found the ‘real’ thing. With this find, I became conscious to choose my subjects more carefully & have them composed in a way, so that the human figure gets more importance.

Throughout my art career, indeed my entire life, I've had these small incidents which were like moments of truth for me - moments where a different ‘me’ spoke inside & helped me find the 'real' thing. And in more ways than one, these helped me to move forward & let me become the 'me' I'm today.

And on this Thanksgiving Day, I feel thankful & blessed for that.

I'm sure it is the same way with most others ... The pursuit of the 'real' thing is common & once found, it proves to be quite useful.

Or is it?