Written by If we let them, the transparency of watercolours can reveal a lot about ourselves to us. Particularly because, unlike other mediums watercolours let us know when we try to hide behind layers and when we are bold enough to not. My name is Patanjali Bhati. Growing up in India, I spent many nights of my childhood listening to mythological stories narrated by my grandmother while she tucked me in bed.
These stories ranged from episodes of Panchatantra, Ramayana and Mahabharata, the famous Hindu fables of Gods sprinkled with morals and spiritualism. These nights, in a way, were my first introduction to spirituality. I’ve also been painting since as far as my memory takes me, and was encouraged to do so by everyone around. The instinctual connection that I felt towards colours, be it any medium, has been one of my most cherished experiences of childhood.
Over time, as the size of the sheets of paper I was given to paint on increased, the more thrilling and exciting the experience got. Some time during that time the intermingling of these two aspects, creativity and spirituality took place, which I can comprehend only in hindsight. Through the years, exploring different mediums to express creatively has fused with my spiritual growth.
Recently, I have fallen in love with watercolours all over again. I had considered it a more complex medium in comparison to oil and acrylic paint, until I was awakened to the simplicity of it. And simple is not the same as easy.
It is said that we all have Buddha nature buried within us. It is in the laborious uncovering of layers formed through lifetimes and beyond, that makes space for this ultimate nature to shine through. And every exploration begins with a direction. Watercolours allow me to comprehend where I’m coming from and where I have been, so I might know where to go. I feel the transparent layers of paint yield the truth of nature – both outward and inward.
Amongst the many life lessons, watercolouring has taught me, here are twelve, that I’d like to share with you…
1. Being patient is a reward in itself. Sometimes we have to wait for it to dry before we introduce a new stroke, and on other occasions, for the exciting new shade’s turn to arrive on paper.
2. Everything is connected – at times loosely, and at times, tightly. Each thing is, because something was. In other words, everything is empty of inherent existence and serves as a cause and condition, all at once.
3. Less is more. To develop the understanding to stop before less becomes more, allows us to focus on what is important, and as a result create value, both in life and colour.
4. To have the serenity to stop in order to deal with any resistance, is an art worth nurturing. More often than not, there is a lesson hiding behind the mask of resistance, that leads us closer to ourselves.
5. Our brush strokes reveal our mental strength, and sincere strength develops only with the capacity of being sensitive.
6. Our initial judgement, is often a result of only a singular angle of perception. The whole picture takes time to unravel, and deep looking from various angles facilitates this unravelling. Hence, it’s important to not judge too soon, neither too late. Wisdom is in knowing the difference.
7. ‘Be Water.’ Just as Bruce Lee said it. To allow the flow of water to carry our mind’s impressions on paper.
8. Just as one can never step into the same river twice, it is crucial to know when to ride with the wave. The opportune moment leaves as quickly as it arrives. For that it is imperative to ‘be present’.
9. Find the energy, paint the energy. I’ve realised that when the finished piece conveys the same feeling that I feel when I experience the sight in nature, I can consider my piece honest. Feeling + emotion = energy in motion.
10. The compositions may vary, but most afflictions replicate, until we grow farsighted enough to step back, and adapt to a new perspective.
11. Often in nature, just as in shades of colours, it is the opposites that complement each other.
12. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. To be gentle with ourselves in the knowledge that it is important enough that we tried.
My Art Materials
White Nights Watercolours by St. Petersburg, a Russian brand has been my choice ever since I was introduced to this premium brand during an Art Residency in Lithuania, and cold pressed Brustro Artists’ Watercolour Paper and natural hair mop brushes suit me well for the wet on wet technique I enjoy.
Patanjali Bhati
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Wonderful brush work. Your strokes carry the energy of the painting really well.
Thank you Laura ❤️ I feel encouraged by your words
Beautiful colors and composition. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you Laura ❤️
Patanjali, your vibrant paintings exude joy. Thank you for sharing your story, especially how spirituality infuses your work. Your beloved grandmother gave you a wealth of history and mythology to sustain your interests and guide your journey, and they’re beautifully reflected in your art. I enjoyed reading the quotes you included with some of the paintings. And it’s a treat to see you standing with one of your paintings.
Thank you Sharon for taking the time to write this encouraging review. Yes I’m am very grateful to my Grandma. 🙏✨❤️
So bold and beautifully done
Thank you Susan 🙏✨
Patanjali you described watercolor perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing this and your beautiful artwork!
Thank you Karen, I am glad it resonated with you 🙏✨
I enjoyed seeing your beautiful work and reading your story. Especially the 12 lessons. Much of my watercolor is soft the soft serenity is what i welcome into my life most of the time. 🙂
Thank you Lisa, I loved the words you used ‘soft serenity’ 🙏✨❤️ best xx
Your work is beautiful and there is great wisdom in your 12 lessons. Many of them I need to remind myself of daily! Thank you for sharing your artistic journey with us.
Thank you Sandra ✨🙏 I’ve been compiling these lessons with 12 of my paintings. You can see them on my Instagram page, or Facebook, of you want to save them. Much gratitude for your encouragement 🙏✨❤️
Beautiful paintings and wonderful philosophy! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Mary 🙏✨
Love the perspectives and layers of colours. Totally agreed with you, Less is More.
Thank you Miishuangmu 🙏✨ does it also mean more is less? What do you think?
My pleasure. Well…I do not think it is necessary ‘More is less’ will equate with ‘Less is more’. It will depend on the situation and the subjects in discussion. For example, money and happiness.
‘More money less happiness’ or vice versa? I think that very much depend on who is discussing this, under what circumstances this discussion is based on etc. Have a nice day.😊
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it, and I think I will have to contemplate it a little longer.. ‘Less is More, but is More any less?’
Warm regards
😄👍. I love to discuss more. Perhaps you would like to share with me, what is your view on this ?
Beautiful painting .l like in water colour painting
Thank you 🙏
Thank you for sharing those words of wisdom and your beautiful work.
Thank you for appreciating 🙏✨
Beautiful composition, both in terms of the writing as well as the artworks themselves. Thank you for sharing.