Sunday, September 20, 2020

Prisoners of Secrets - Painting for a Book




When author Lata Gwalani asked me if I can do a cover for her upcoming book, I was excited! However, this proved to be so different from a usual painting I would do for someone, or for an exhibition!
I had to make a painting which spoke volumes about a volume ( pun intended) !
We met in a cafe one fine day and she gave me a brief about the book. It wasn't so easy as she had to let me know enough, without my knowing enough! The book was yet to be released you see and she couldn't divulge the entire plot! I had to understand the chief protagonist, Mira and the importance of a certain tree in the whole story and come up with a work which revealed enough to create intrigue but not enough to let out much or look too cliche!
Over the next few weeks, I did a few drawings which all went into the bin. Finally after another call, I understood I needed colours to create that magic and aura of the story. I went straight to the canvas and made this work. Yes, that was it! She liked it, her husband liked it and so did the publishers!
It consumed quite a few of my sundays.
Lata, am dying to read the book now.
The Kindle version has been released on Amazon but me, am a real touch and feel reader! Waiting for the physical version of the book to be released.