A Half-Painted Canvas

by ABHERI MUKHERJEE (India)

I didn't expect to find India

Limited means of money was often an issue for me to pursue my painting passion and for this very reason, I often travelled to nearby places that I could afford with my saved up pocket money. Armed with a backpack packed with personal essentials, drawing papers and canvas and most importantly my art kit overflowing with colours and paintbrushes, I would often leave home in search of inspiration for my art during my college holidays. Once I reached my destination, I would normally roam around here and there trying to find something that would set my creative spark alight but this time it was different. I had managed to save up more than the usual and excitedly embarked upon my journey towards Digha, a much-favoured beach by artists. With my hopes of meeting a few experts, I alighted on the platform grinning ear to ear looking exactly like a Cheshire cat. My hotel was only about twenty minutes away from the station, nestled within a sweet garden and so near to the beach that I could hear the royal roaring of the waves. After checking in and freshening up, I quickly had my lunch and got my painting kit and papers together. Eager to explore and meet some expert painters, I didn't feel like bothering with shoes as anyways I wanted to walk barefoot on the sandy beach and feel the sand to the fullest. Walking around the beach I found many painters painting various scenes. Some were busy painting the people enjoying themselves, others painted the freedom that nature had bestowed upon them but nothing attracted my attention and after walking around for a long while, I finally decided to give it a rest and capture the beautiful sunset with my eyes. It was then that my eyes suddenly fell upon this man who seemed to lie unnaturally still bent at unimaginable positions. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to get a closer look. As I walked closer, I saw the man working on the sand deftly and his sand art struck me straight in the heart. He had captured the whole beauty of the pristine waters, the lovely sunset and the loving emotions of the people in his art. Dumbstruck, I stared at his masterpiece and my hands automatically went to my paint kit and canvas. I wanted him in my art but a polite cough brought me back to reality. I noticed his clothes were tattered and he was looking at me with hopeful eyes. Thinking that he expected some money, I brought out my wallet but then he pointed towards my canvas and asked me, "Will you share?" Awestruck I nodded and pushed my canvas and paint kit towards him. The way he smiled at me I knew it was from his heart. His yellowing teeth were a stark contrast to his bright eyes and I saw happiness line his face as he painted on the borrowed canvas. As he returned my canvas, I saw that he had used only half of it. When I turned to his direction with a questioning look, he smiled and answered, " Daughter. I painted half of what you admired. You paint the rest from how you feel. The inspiration you seek is within you. Be courageous to let your mind run free and see the magic that graces your canvas and blends in with my painting. You shared your canvas and I shared my experience." With that, he left me with a smile on his face and a half-painted canvas. When I looked at his painting, I saw that he had also painted me with a lost look on my face standing on the beach. When I completed the painting, it was a painting of a sunrise with him in it smiling at me and somehow, magic did happen as I could see my lost face turning into an inspired one. I didn't expect to find my lost inspiration from a stranger but I guess nature has its own way of blessing us. I never got the chance to ask his name but I still visit the beach in hopes of meeting him again someday.