28 Comments
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Maria Anderson's avatar

The best paintings were the actual people…Enjoy this beautiful work. I find it mesmerizing.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thanks Maria. I enjoyed sketching them too.

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Gabi of Journey Jots's avatar

Wow, your visuals are amazing!! I loved them all, and I loved your musings about the people outside. Thank you!

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thank you Gabriela.

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Britni Pepper's avatar

Nelson was a man of singular vision. As for Van Gogh, this little snippet sums him up: https://youtu.be/ubTJI_UphPk?si=eiBt1xdeQbwxtTJ0

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

That video is amazing.Since I visited Van Gogh in Amsterdam I often wondered what Van Gouh would think if he came back and saw the honour he is being bestowed now. I am glad someone else thought the same a made a documentary about it. Is it from Dr Who? Thanks for sharing it with me. It means a lot. The guy who portrayed Van Gogh did an amazing job.

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Britni Pepper's avatar

Yes, Doctor Who. It is a brilliant and emotional piece of work. I never get tired of watching it!

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Bree's avatar

Such a delightful read! an excellent blend of history, art, and storytelling

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thanks Bree.

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Brad Did's avatar

I had never heard of Trafalgar Square...but now I feel as if I have visited with you!

My favorite sketches are of the ice cream and the paintings... because your use of color and the brush strokes helped me feel more about how you felt about what you were seeing.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thank you. Interesting, I didn't think much of the brush strokes. Maybe because I'm not a painter. But I did try to copy Van Gogh a bit while trying to paint his paintings. The results were horrible if you place it next to his but not so bad if you see them in isolation.

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Brad Did's avatar

It doesn't take much color or brush embellishment to add contrast to precise line work. I use it to add mood in my sketches to break up the black and white.

I think it connects with some readers because it makes ME slow down to let my pen communicate more about how I feel about the moment I am outlining. But I'm not sure.

I just felt if you took the time to color something then you probably wanted to spend more time in that moment...and that drew me in further.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Now that you explained it to me, I am going to be more deliberate about it. Thanks.

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Mila Popovic Geoui's avatar

Amaizing sketches ! This makes it more interesting to read!

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thanks Mila.

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

I love the journey you take us on! I love Trafalgar square.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Me too. I love the energy of the place.

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Sally Burke's avatar

Once again Neera you have nailed it. I just love what you are creating and those sketches!!

Brilliant… also your story telling is great, but then I probably wouldn’t expect anything else 🤗

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

You are so kind, Sally. You lift my spirits. I was almost in tears last night when I posted it because it wasn't even close to what I wanted to send out. Many frames are still unfinished. So many stories are still half baked. But I was determined to send it out on Sunday (my promised day) because if I didn't I won't be able to start the next issue. Why the rant? Because I know you will understand. I see you sketches and tell myself, 'you have a long way to missy.' Thanks for reposting.

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Sally Burke's avatar

Sending you a hug, 🤗 you had no reason to worry, but I guess like me, always our own worse critic. 💐

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Marissa Gallerani's avatar

I just went to NYC and spent a bunch of money in the MET gift shop. It was worth it and I salute your National Gallery gift shop splurges.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

I have found the museums and galleries shops are the best. They always have new things. Things to my taste. Things which are not available in outside shopping stores.

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ShinyGirl's avatar

You are always stretching yourself! The sketches I like best are the map and the Barbary Lions. Love the bit of history of how they were made.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thank you Vikki. I am a history buff, as you might have guessed by now. In history is the story of that particular place, person or an article. And the story is the way we human connect and remember. So I try to tell stories do that my readers can connect with whatever I feel connected with.

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John Marshall's avatar

I love the sketches and envy your skill. Sharing your thoughts and experiences is a beautiful way to memorialize your memories while sharing them with readers like me.

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thanks John. You are so right. Sketching is a way to pay attention to your surroundings, to see what you otherwise won’t see. Writing is the way to relive those moments again and again, while writing and also while reading them over years. Thanks for appreciating my efforts.

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Jana's avatar

You are so talented! ❤️

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Neera Mahajan's avatar

Thanks Jana. Hardly, but I will gracefully accept your compliment because it makes my day.

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