Childhood : Precious Innocence & Full of Freedom

Being an Urban dweller; we feel during recent years life becomes very fast and rigid in many terms. Its adverse effects are largely visible on kids!

Childhood looks similar to plasticity of clay from which we can mould the child in our perspective. We don't give freedom to our children to flourish and blooming like beautiful flowers. Their innocence is lost somewhere in the race to achieve goals of their parents and being on top in academic among their classmates. Competition is prevailing on every path they choose to move ahead. This is shame!

The Time is really not very good for the children and their childhood. We reached in 21^st century with new technology and ease of life but it looks children are living in a fake world of video games, useless chatting on mobile phones and  pressure of competition. They spend hours indoors around their imaginative world.

Why parents do not inspire their children to spend creative time outdoor? Many of our traditional outdoor games are lost during past 20 years. Now I hardly saw urban children playing in garden or being dirty in soil. With each day they are being apart from nature.

But during my field visit to country sides I still feel the power of innocence and freedom in the eyes of rural children. They are so very active and keep smiling in every situation. At that moment my heart feel contented with inner pleasure and peace.

Innocent Smile :)

They climb trees tops, jumps here and there on soil, running on the grass and flying with birds and taking care of their cattle and enjoying lovely time with nature and wildlife. They don't feel stressful about competitive world out there.

Children enjoying Nature

Childhood is for Children. They have right to live their childhood with innocence and freedom. Don't make it complex. Don't infuse stress and worries in their life. It's a time for parents to think and need to change the primary education system too. It looks unrealistic and stressful on child's little heart and mind.

Children taking care of their cattle

Little wonders on bullock cart

Let them help to learn everything at their own pace and with peaceful and playful atmosphere. There should be no fear of any kind in the mind of children.  

Let them give a chance to be a child again with full of freedom and innocence. Childhood is very precious time in everyone's journey.

Let them bring closer an inch to nature and wildlife everyday to make them responsible person to protect our green environment and natural world. It's our Lifeline.

We can't forget especially able children. They need individual care and help to flourish. Sometimes they need extra time and love to learn everything. We need to be aware that they don't left behind in their progress.

At the end, Childhood is the strong foundation to make nice and kind human being. Today's world needs such human beings that make our world a beautiful place to live...

If you liked this article; please give your kind feedback and comments :).

Sincerely,

Rahul Parekh

Nature & Wildlife Artist

http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com 

A beautiful walk with Susan Shimeld

Tonight whilst strolling through an ancient meadow filled with orchids and long grasses, I realised I was being watched by a female roe deer; she was a picture as her coat shone a lovely golden-red in the sunshine. I left the meadow through an old gate and realised too late that I'd disturbed a wasps nest in the hollow fence post. Feeling a sharp pain as I was stung in my hand, I closed the gate as quickly as I could with the wasps buzzing angrily around my head....I think I got off lightly. 

In the woods I saw another young roe in the distance and a few minutes later, the pain from the sting faded into insignificance as I spied a male roe in antler and crouched down quickly. He sensed I was there, and started to walk in my direction pausing only periodically to sniff the air. I couldn't believe my luck as his curiosity got the better of him. He continued to approach until he was 9 feet away, and then stood majestically as we gazed at one another in the glow of the evening sun. Realising I was no threat; he finally decided to leave and walked away with that distinctive stiff-legged gait. Once at a safe distance he barked at me and gave me ‘what for’! I replied - and we chatted for a further 3-4 minutes :).

A super experience, and feeling extremely lucky to have had such an encounter, I continued along the track and happened to glance to my left.  To my amazement and at eye level with me, sat a Tawny Owl on a bare branch, and only 6 -7 feet away. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe my luck and I so wanted to stop and look, but didn't want to spook him - so I just glanced at him nonchalantly a couple of times as I strolled on by. 

Off the woodland track and onto the golf course, the walk was rounded off watching 5 super swifts performing aerial feats above the golf course lake. No camera with me... a wasp sting, but one of the best evenings walks ever. Luka enjoyed it too, and was as good as gold throughout...

About Author:
Susan Shimeld is a Professional Wildlife Artist and Natural History Illustrator. She is a keen Conservationist for the past 40 years and a Registered Bat Carer in UK. Susan's artworks reflect her love for nature and wildlife. Her amazing artworks can be seen at http://www.natureinart.com.

It is a privilege to have my good friend Susan Shimeld as our Guest Author to share her lovely experience in the wild with us. It is indeed a magical and unforgettable experience of life. To enjoy nature while being a part of it is one of the most amazing moments. There are so many creatures of different sizes and shapes around us. We just need to observe them peacefully to enjoy in our heart :).

Thank you so much Susan for sharing these beautiful moments with us. It's so inspirational to step out and enjoy nature :). Wish to enjoy many more of yours lovely nature experiences here :).

Sincerely, Rahul Parekh

Sauntering – Feel the Peace & Freedom in your Heart

Dear Friends,

Yesterday was 19^th June, 2013. It was Sauntering Day. Have you missed it? Don't worry. We have many days to enjoy Sauntering Days J.

Celebration of Day is not important but to celebrate the heart is most important thing. It can be only achieved if we forget everything about our life. All the Worries, Planning, Duties…just everything that makes you engaged in your life.

Life is hectic now days. We don't have a minute to think about anything that not keeps us busy. This is the most negative part of human behaviour that leads to a gloomy and depressing life. We sometimes thought about to go out for a walk but didn't managed to do it because of busy day and felt sad about that too as not even a failed attempt is tried to achieve it!

Sauntering is a way to achieve true peace and freedom in our life. It's not Walking or Jogging or Running or Trekking or Hiking. It's superior to all. It only needs to step out and move ahead where your heart & legs lead you…

Sauntering is done without thinking and planning. You just lost in yourself and with nature. Wandering everywhere and anywhere, while enjoying and loving flowing river, flying birds, dancing butterflies, waves of a grass, call of birds, splash of water on face and touch of the rain drops. At the times we also love flowing of hair in cool wind, Sound of dry leaves and piercing by thorn.

Just tranquility prevails on our mind and heart. It's the most relaxed, peaceful & precious moments to cherish. This is the time when we can feel the pure spirit that lives within us. It's the special moment; we can feel one with our inner self in a true and sacred way. Our world becomes easy to hold in our heart. We can communicate with ourselves very easily.

So now start sauntering and wandering to live yourself the way your heart loved it… :)

Happy Sauntering & Feel the Freedom,

Sincerely, Rahul Parekh

Nature & Wildlife Artist

http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com

Happy Father's Day

Dear Friends,

Wish you all a very happy & proud Father's Day :).

A Father, who becomes Dad and later Friend in life . Who teach us to be brave and fight against all the odds in our life :).

We feel protected and relaxed under the loving roof of our father. He fulfills our every needs to live better and happy life. In return he just needs love, care & respect during his elderly age from his children.

Have beautiful day with your father and entire family to celebrate it with love :).

All best wishes,

Sincerely, Rahul Parekh
Nature & Wildlife Artist
http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com

Asiatic Lion Portrait - Wildlife Art Painting Process

Dear Friends,

Good Morning :).

It's a lovely morning today. Weather is cloudy and few minutes ago rain has also started. Atmosphere is very cool  and pleasing :).

In this beautiful moments I'm so pleased to share my Painting Process of my Asiatic Lion Portrait. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I loved to paint it :). It's sometimes fun to watch Artist in action and how the painting is done :).

I also wish those who are willing to learn wildlife paintings will find this post useful and learn from this small & quick tutorial too :).

OK, No more commentary...straight to the point lol :D.

Stage 1: A Drawing of Asiatic Lion...

Drawing is heart of any painting. Whether its on paper or in mind. Its a base and foundation of beautiful painting. Here is drawing of my Lion. Simple line drawing...

Stage 2: Beginning of Painting Process...

I love to start portrait with eyes and face. A quick under painting and colours brings Lion to life. This stage is also very crucial as its emphasis on facial expression.

Stage 3: Under Painting Complete...

By following the above method, entire Lion Portrait is now filled with colours. It's important to have an eye on brush strokes and selection of colours in this stage as well.

Stage 4: Adding Fine Details and Background...

Background and Details can make or ruined the painting too!! Now Background and some details are added to the Lion Mane. It's crucial to choose perfect background according to the subject.

Stage 5: End of the Painting...

Here is the Final Painting of Asiatic Lion Portrait. By adding final fine details to the face, Lion comes alive :).

Hope you've enjoyed this small Painting Process of my Wildlife Art Works :). I'll try to add more  Painting Process / tutorials of my other artworks in coming days. Please don't forget to share your comments and feedback as well to improve my content :).

Happy Paintings,

With all best wishes,

Sincerely, Rahul Parekh
Nature & Wildlife Artist
http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com

Blog with New Design & Approach...

Dear Friends,

I have recently updated my blog design to make it more user friendly and easy to communicate with you all :). It's an overhaul that will help to reach more people and will inspire me to keep it alive and active with new articles, artworks and new contents :).

Now you can enjoy and purchase my Wildlife Artworks through this Blog as well :). Please visit Art Gallery and Art on Easel sections to view my Wildlife Art :).

I would love to hear from you too. Please post your comments / feedback / suggestions to make my Wildlife Art Blog more viewer and reader friendly and keep my contents interesting :).

All best wishes,

Sincerely, Rahul Parekh

Nature & Wildlife Artist

http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com