Monday, September 5, 2011

Childhood's End


Title  - Chilhood's End
Size - 15 x 11 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper

Two weeks back I saw this picture with three tiny kids headed for school in local newspaper. What caught my attention was their overfilled and over sized school bags. And it started a chain of thoughts and then this painting was born. It is called Childhood's end. I hope you are able to empathize with the perspective of this one. Have a great week ahead.

16 comments:

Lydie said...

Amazing view and shadows ! I love the composition

Studio at the Farm said...

Love the composition, Prabal. And the perspective is fascinating; it makes one think a bit more looking at the painting.

Sandra Busby said...

This is such an interesting angle, and the long shadows add even further interest to the composition. Absolutely brilliant!! :0)

yasha said...

Good perspective and the shadows make it really interesting.I also loved the title.

Carol Blackburn said...

Wonderful composition, Prabal...love the long shadows too.

Pat said...

I love the perspective of this one and the elongated shadows too. Also the way they are holding hands setting off into the great adventure.

جمال السيد said...

Women are but Prabal's Shadows! so sweet and meaningful.

Crystal Cook said...

Beautiful and poignant Prabal. I love the perspective here like everyone else has said, it's unusual and striking. As always I LOVE the colors you have in the shadows, how it mingles and flows so perfectly. :)

MTeacress said...

Awesome impression with those long shadows. Great job.

hmuxo said...

This is not an easy angle to paint, Praval. Beautifully done with wonderful shadow work. It looks like they are conversing with each other!!

Prabal said...

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for your comments. I am really happy that you guys liked it. Thank you for your awesomeness. I would like to elaborate about this painting a little more.

I feel now a days kids are under tremendous pressure. It is evident from those overfilled and heavy bags that they are carrying. School is the first place where the rat race of life starts for the kid. Parents want their kid to be best in everything and that brings about the end of childhood. The viewing point here can be that of a parent watching from the balcony as the kids leave for the school. One of the kids seems to be even waving. And with a overfilled bag the small kid seems to be almost falling off, while the bigger kids seems to have adjusted to it by now. The kids seem to be leaving light behind them and walking off towards darkness (their own shadows). And it is the end of childhood.

Lydie said...

Thank you for all that explanation. It is a very personal vision of the school that you offer us there is indeed a milestone in the lives of children who grow up and leave their innocence behind.

M R Anand said...

it is a very difficult subject and you have made is look so simple! interesting perspective that you have brought out in your write up and comments! I guess it is in our hands to improve the way we bring up our kids...

Liana Yarckin said...

Wow, that is about the giant backpacks. They are over there, too?! Your painting is wonderful in technique and great composition. However, the giant backpacks really hit home. As much as I don't want for my kids to be overscheduled and in the race to nowhere (did you see that movie?), what can we do as a parent? I thought move out to the farm, but, that is not really realistic. I want for my children to be able to play and have fun. My fifth grader is so bummed out that recess is 10 min. and all you do is stand around and talk. He wants to play a game of kick ball or something. Of course he is in organized sports, but, organized sports are so organized! Our children will not have spent time being bored or day dreaming or creating a new game because they have no down time.

Liana Yarckin said...

p.s. i particularly like how you treated the ground.

irinasztukowski said...

It a great title and a painting showing the entry to a new world very good Prabal. I also thought about the title selection when I saw their big shadows.. BIG.. they have to grow up; and sometimes it is hard and a little scary to face the real world, isn't it..
Thank you,
Irina