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March 2025: Artist residency in Kerala (and new animation: Paava Kutti)
In March 2025, I traveled to India for a 3-week trip that included a brief jaunt around northern India, followed by my 2nd stay – now as a “returning resident artist” – at Palette People Artists Residency (PPAR), in Kerala.
First stop: Northern India
My travels began with a 1-week, self-directed tour of India’s “Golden Triangle”, the circuit connecting New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. This area is typically known for its iconic architecture and varied landscapes (both urban and desert).
Below: Back alley in New Delhi
Holi in Jaipur
I reached Jaipur during Holi, the celebration of spring’s arrival. This occasion involves throwing coloured water and powder at friends, relatives, and neighbours. During my stay, colourfully adorned camels, elephants, and horse carriages could be spotted throughout Jaipur’s city centre, along with their elegantly attired handlers.
Artist residency in Palette People Artists Residency (PPAR)
Flora and fauna
Next, I headed south to more familiar territory, in Kerala, for my 2-week artist residency at PPAR (my earlier post describing my first visit provides additional detail about PPAR).
There, I spent my days enjoying the relaxed pace, beautiful surroundings, time and space to reflect and create, as well as the astonishing biodiversity that I witnessed daily: As I arrived one month later than I had during my previous trip, this time I experienced periods of heavy rain and, as a result, a greater variety of flora and fauna unique to the time of year and its climate:
Surrounding area
The residency host Cyril led us artists on several excursions, one of which was to Kurisumala, a renowned pilgrimage summit, which afforded us stunning views of the mountainous landscape.
Below, clockwise from left: Cyril and Payal (another PPAR artist in residence) climbing the summit, vegetation near the top, Neil upon completion of the climb.
In and around the studio
Paava Kutti – new animation
During my time at PPAR I completed a short, animated showcase, Paava Kutti (meaning “little doll”), featuring the series of dolls I created with repurposed Indian fabric.
Check out Paava Kutti on my Vimeo channel!
Some characters from Paava Kutti:
I was excited to be featured in a video series highlighting PPAR’s artists in residence, in which I explained my work and various inspirations.
It was a pleasure to become acquainted with fellow artist in residence Payal Chakraborty (also featured as one of PPAR’s artists in residence) and experience her exquisite work!
Local cuisine
Each day, Prasad and his niece Priya expertly prepared wonderful regional dishes along with fresh, locally grown fruits. These culinary delights were an unforgettable part of the stay at PPAR.
A huge thank you to Cyril and the PPAR team for another wonderful stay!
Below, clockwise from left: Priya and Prasad, puttu (a Keralan specialty) and kadala curry, another variety of puttu, guava and papaya fruit.
Looking ahead
As always, I am grateful to have had the time to create in such a stimulating and inspiring environment, and I look forward to my next visit!
Summer travel sketches: Alberta, August 2024
This summer, I had the chance to explore some of southern Alberta’s natural wonders and history!
In the Canadian Badlands
My stay included a day trip to the town of Drumheller, in the Canadian Badlands*, a geographically unique and starkly beautiful region containing the world’s largest deposits of dinosaur bones.
*Fun fact: The badlands were named by early French explorers who, having struggled in their travels through its terrain, described the area as “bad lands to cross”.
Inside the Royal Tyrell Museum
I spent a day taking in the Royal Tyrell Museum‘s many comprehensive exhibits. Here’s only a fraction of all I saw during my visit…have a look!
Hiking in Canmore
A visit to Alberta isn’t complete without a hike in the Rocky Mountains. Our day trip to Canmore fit the bill!
I even saw a pika, my first one spotted in the wild!
Vacation downtime – movies!
When I’m not exploring nature and history, I love to catch up on my movie viewing while on vacation – either on long plane trips, or at the end of an active day. I finally watched the moving and thought-provoking documentary “My Octopus Teacher“. It fed my obsession with aquatic life, and its story and imagery still occupy my thoughts.
Bulle
As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, one downside to travel is being away from our cats Bulle and Miko. Although Bulle seemed happy to see us once we’d returned, he nevertheless impeded my efforts to share my trip by alternately lying on my sketchbook and keyboard – presumably to tell me that HE is once again my focus. Point taken!
India, February 2024: My stay at Palette People Artists Residency
A month in India
In February 2024, I escaped the Montreal winter with my husband Neil to spend a month in southern India! There, we spent the first 2 weeks enjoying great times with family in Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam (also known as “Vizag”), and Chennai, and getting to know some of the places they call home. We also visited Hampi – an enchanting destination (and a UNESCO World Heritage site) , featuring astounding ruins from the 14th – 16th centuries, and located in one of the most unique landscapes on the planet – as well as Kochi, widely recognized as the spice capital of the world.
2 weeks for art!
In mid-February, we headed to a beautiful artist residency located near the hill station of Vagamon, in the Idukki district of Kerala, where I spent 2 weeks, and Neil stayed for 1. Details below!
My stay at Palette People Artist Residency (PPAR)
Artwork: Paava kutti (little doll) and watercolours
During my stay, I created 8 small dolls from repurposed Indian fabric scraps (helpfully provided by family members I visited earlier in the trip). This collection of figures will be featured in an upcoming animated work named “Paava Kutti”, or “little doll” (title courtesy of Benny, the caretaker and cook!) . I also created some watercolour paintings of the verdant landscape. Below is a sample of the work I created and a bit of the creation process.
About Palette People Artists Residency
Palette People Artists Residency (PPAR) far surpassed any expectations I may have had – from the photos and descriptions, I knew the locale would be beautiful, but I did not expect such a lush, varied, and dreamlike landscape. The residency was a tranquil, spacious oasis where I could immerse myself in creative endeavours while being inspired by the local sights and sounds.
Cyril P. Jacob, PPAR founder and host
Cyril was a wonderful host: He ensured that all our needs were addressed throughout our stay. Given the residency’s remote location, it was highly reassuring to have transportation to and from PPAR, all meals, and any other requirements taken care of! He also introduced us and the other artists to the area on several long walks, where we learned that, in addition to tea, various crops are grown locally, including black pepper and cardamom – proving that we were indeed in the “Spice Garden of Kerala”! We also met some of his local acquaintances and colleagues, and learned about Cyril’s ongoing activities in the arts. His dedication to the arts through his constant promotion of artists, exhibits, workshops, and other related initiatives, is truly inspiring.
Authentic Keralan cuisine – by Benny!
It was a pleasure to make Benny’s acquaintance: His warmth and good nature immediately put us at ease. Each meal was a delight, as we sampled regional dishes that he had expertly prepared – and that, we were told, would not be found anywhere outside of the area! As I write this, I am longing for a plate of Benny’s appam and kadala curry – the perfect start to a day of creating (…or any day)! I’ll have to wait until my next visit!
Local coffee
We also became enchanted with the local spiced coffee – prepared with cardamom, cloves, and sugar (and likely some additional ingredients that we could not detect!) this concoction became a must-have and was all the motivation we needed for the 30-minute walk into Uluppoonni, the neighbouring town, where the general store and coffee shop were located.
Work and living spaces at PPAR
One of the best parts of the residency was that it provided multiple spaces in which artists could work and reflect: Each artist’s apartment had a veranda overlooking the hills, and the the path behind PPAR provided an elevated view from where we could watch the sunset. The large studio also afforded views of the landscape from 3 sides, and was a great place to work throughout the day and into the evening. The exterior walls of the buildings were adorned with artwork by past residents, and at any time, we could hear the sounds of the surrounding nature: Birdsong, insects, the wind…plus the daily, local life, which included tea harvesting, the occasional wandering cow, and trucks and jeeps lumbering past, transporting materials, groups of workers, and/or weekend holidayers.
Remembering PPAR – until the next time!
I look forward to becoming a “returning artist” at PPAR – thank you for the wonderful, unforgettable experience!
India sketchbook – February 2023
In February, I went to India for 2 whirlwind weeks! As my last visit had been 26 years ago, I was long overdue for another stay. And wow! As expected, the country once again delighted and astonished me, and left me with the sense that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to experience all of India’s wonders. In the meantime, here are some sketches from my travels. Although I became reacquainted with watercolour (the traveling artist’s friend), our hectic itinerary did not allow much time for staying in one place to absorb and create. That will be the next trip’s focus. Enjoy!
First stop, Mumbai:
Clockwise: Mumbai architecture and cityscape, trying on saris in a Fort district clothing store, and street performer.
Kerala
Backwaters boat tour, Cochin
Kathakali dance: Cochin, Kerala
Tamil Nadu: Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
27 species spotted by my birdwatching spouse, who pointed these out to me.
Artist residency in Italy, October 1-15, 2022 (Video and post)
I had the pleasure of spending the first 2 weeks of October in the beautiful Tuscan countryside at La Macina di San Cresci, a wonderful artist residency near the town of Greve in Chianti.
At the end of my stay, I presented my recently completed works, and those in progress, to the local community. You can view the recording on YouTube . Note: Captions are available in English and Italian : Select English(Canada) or Italian from Settings|Subtitles/CC).
Check out my post below for more details!
At La Macina di San Cresci
Photo by Jodelle Marx
This was my third visit, and once again this place gave me a welcome pause from daily life that allowed me to reflect on my upcoming projects and plan their execution. With full days at my disposal, I was able to fully enjoy creative exploration without time constraints and life’s usual distractions.
The peaceful setting and lack of schedule at La Macina provides an ideal environment for artists to grow new ideas: Indeed, it was here, during a previous visit, that I created my first “Animalesque” drawing, which has now grown into the theme of an upcoming animation. Stay tuned!
Next animated work: A walk around San Cresci
During my previous visit in 2019, I interviewed several residents of the area with the goal of creating an animation: A walk around San Cresci. As I have aimed to do with previous works involving past travels, I wanted to convey the charm, uniqueness, and fascination I have for this place through animation. This project was on hold as I completed my latest animation, Costa Rica’s Creatures, which launched in September.
About the work
A walk around San Cresci will combine puppets, stop motion and hand-drawn animation, and video. Below is some artwork for the piece that I finished during my stay, as well as a glimpse of the creation process.
Backdrop
My decision to bring limited art supplies with me posed an interesting challenge, and one that helped me focus on my goal of using found or discarded materials to create my art: I used found materials from the residency’s supply room to create both the backdrop for the animation and the rooster puppet (featured in the next section).
Gallo Nero (“GN”): Legend of the black rooster, and puppet
The black rooster (Gallo Nero, or GN as I have named my puppet) will appear throughout the work. The legend of the black rooster explains its significance in Chianti’s history.
Unexpected sights and fun facts
An abundance of guinea pigs
Valerio Cianti, a nearby resident, runs a farm that hosts an assortment of animals, including guinea pigs, peacocks, rabbits, and numerous types of birds. Valerio graciously hosted us for a visit one afternoon. He and his animal companions will be featured in A walk around San Cresci.
Fagioli al fiasco
On the last night of the residency, our hosts Duccio Trassinelli and Demetria Verduci prepared a lovely reception and spread, which included the traditional Tuscan dish Fagioli al Fiasco, made with white beans and sage leaves.
Fun fact: The original meaning of the word “fiasco” is (according to Wikipedia and other sources), “a typical Italian style of bottle, usually with a round body and bottom, partially or completely covered with a close-fitting straw basket.”
In conclusion
The above conveys only a fraction of what I experienced during my stay. I look forward to sharing more stories and impressions in A walk around San Cresci. With each visit, I have learned more details about this area’s rich history and traditions, as well as its evolution in today’s ever changing world.
Grazie to La Macina di San Cresci, and the local community, for another great visit. I look forward to seeing you all again soon, and in the meantime, I’ll relive the experience through animation!
Ciao!
Notes
Photo credit for image of fiasco: giulio nepi, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Costa Rica’s Creatures now launched and available on my Vimeo channel – thank you for your support!
Thank you to everyone who attended the premiere of Costa Rica’s Creatures on September 10, 2022, both in person and virtually! The evening was a grand success. I am truly touched by all your warm messages of congratulations and positive feedback!
If you missed it, you can view the recording of the virtual event on YouTube (the presentation starts at 47:07):
All versions of Costa Rica’s Creatures are now available on my Vimeo channel:
Costa Rica’s Creatures (English, no subtitles): https://vimeo.com/673970036
Costa Rica’s Creatures (English with French subtitles): https://vimeo.com/673970477
Costa Rica’s Creatures (English with Spanish subtitles): https://vimeo.com/673970888
Premiere of Costa Rica’s Creatures, Saturday September 10, 2022 in Montreal!
Announcing the premiere screening of Costa Rica’s Creatures, my recently completed animation, followed by a retrospective of my past works. Check out the full programme at https://umaviswanathan.com/events/.
Admission is free (no reservation required), with a reception to follow – details below!
When: Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 19h30 EDT (doors open at 19h00)
Where: J.A. De Sève Cinema, J.W. McConnell Building (Library building), 1400 De Maisonneuve Ouest, LB-125
Can’t attend in person? Join the YouTube live stream, starting at 19h15 EDT(premiere only) – link to be posted on Events page shortly.
SAVE THE DATE: Premiere of Costa Rica’s Creatures – Saturday, September 10, 2022 in Montreal!
Hello, everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful summer.
I am pleased to announce that my latest animation Costa Rica’s Creatures will be premiering on the evening of September 10, 2022!
The premiere will be screened at the J.A. DeSève Cinema, on Concordia University’s downtown campus and also livestreamed.
A retrospective of my past works (in-person only) and a reception will follow. Hope to see you there!
Details coming soon!
My COVID-19 vacation: Stay-at-home artist residency, May 1-25, 2020
During the month of May, I did a stay-at-home artist residency when my overseas travel plans got cancelled. Watch the video summary here, or keep reading for details.
May 2020. Like many who had planned vacations during this time, I too found my trip cancelled. I had been accepted to a 2-week artist residency on the Greek island of Kefalonia and had planned some time before and after for a bit of independent wandering in Athens and other parts. Alas, this was not to be.
Although I was disappointed that I wouldn’t get to see a new country (and a beautiful, culturally vibrant one at that) or have the opportunity to share an immersive experience with other resident artists, there were advantages to spending this time off at home:
If the main goal of the trip was to create artwork, then home was an excellent location to do just that, for a number of reasons:
- At home, my entire toolbox (or TOYbox, depending on my mood) is at my disposal: I couldn’t have brought it all with me had I left home. I had 3 weeks and my choice of materials to create anything I wanted.
- My dedicated art studio of easel, drafting table and animation stand are located within mere feet of one another in our apartment: Absolutely no travel or setup time required.
And last but not least, I had the company of my 2 cats to whom I no longer had to say goodbye for the duration – the dreaded downside to my solo travels.
Staycation artist residency: activities
Main objectives:
- Continue working on my animation in progress, “Costa Rica’s creatures” – a short, handmade work about the wildlife and geography of Costa Rica, based on my travel there in 2018.
- Create illustrations and short animations inspired by fashion and nature.
Other activities – the joys of Montréal
I also had the chance to watch our beautiful city blossom, day by day, from spring into summer on multiple running/hiking jaunts to Parc du Mont-Royal, walks through our Plateau neighbourhood, and (socially distanced) picnics (for two) in Parc La Fontaine. All this, plus a bonus sighting of 2 Great Blue Herons who graced our park with their presence for a few days while the pond was low and inspired some artwork (see illustration at the top of this post).
Final thoughts
Although my work does not speak directly to world issues (for now), I believe that nothing is created in a vacuum. Had it not been for COVID-19, this report would have been completely different.
As I write this, the world is being transformed by two incredible forces: one a pandemic, and now a global uprising against racial inequality, calling for change that is long overdue. I am humbled by the magnitude of both, and their impact on life as we know it.
I share the hope – and belief – that our world will emerge from this period a kinder, stronger and more just place for all.
Thank you for reading – wishing everyone safety and good health.
La Macina di San Cresci – publication of The Artistic Time (11th edition)
In May 2019, I returned to La Macina di San Cresci, located in Italy’s Tuscany region, for a 3-week artist residency. I am happy to be featured once more in La Macina’s yearbook The Artistic Time (11th edition)! Preview the book here.
Screening of Saison à Saison // Présentation de Saison à Saison
Friday was a great evening at Kino Montreal! My short film Saison à Saison (Season to Season) was screened as part of Kino’s “Monthly Challenge”: Each participant had to create a 2-minute film on a given theme, and complete it within a month. This month, the theme was “Nightmare before Christmas: Films about Halloween and films about Christmas”. Thank you Kino Montréal for the opportunity to participate and to present my work.
View Saison à Saison
La Macina di San Cresci – publication of The Artistic Time (10th edition)
In April 2018, I was an artist in residence at La Macina di San Cresci, located in Italy’s Tuscany region. I am thrilled to be featured in La Macina’s yearbook The Artistic Time (10th edition)!
30 Days in Venice (30 things learned) – film d’animation // animated film
In April 2017, I had the chance to travel to Venice, Italy, for an artist residency. While I was there, I created some artwork and did some sightseeing!
Trailer
The result: One year later, my animated film entitled “30 Days in Venice (30 things learned)” will soon be released! Here is the trailer: 30 Days in Venice (30 things learned)