Madhubani Bookmarks
Tsundoku (n)-the act of buying books and not reading them; letting books pile up unread on shelves or floors or nightstands.
I love how the Japanese have a word for everything! A few days ago I came across a funny quote about buying books but not reading them. Although I just snickered in that moment and forgot about it, I started thinking about it this weekend while writing this post. I made this handmade bookmark to give to a temporary office colleague as a thank you gift for helping me out in my new job. Once I made the first one, I was inspired to make more after seeing how good this one turned out. To add to my happiness is how easy it all came together; the plan, the idea, the initial sketch, the drawing and the colors. There are moments in my projects that are a struggle, it’s like I have this idea and begin to execute it; but then it’s just one of those days where nothing is going right, the prep process is off or the colors are weird or my hands are feeling unsteady. Those days are frustrating, as I want to make the piece but the forces that be are not cooperating. This weekend was smooth and I was on a roll, I made three bookmarks.
After I had made the first one for my colleague, I wanted to make one for myself. I imagined myself reading and seeing this beautiful bookmark between the pages of the book and feeling good both about my work, the bright colors inspiring me and cheering me on and getting me excited about reading. I wouldn’t say ‘Tsundoku’ applies to me but definitely I don’t read as much as I would like to. I love to and would like to read significantly more than I currently do. With that intention, I buy books or borrow from the library. Maybe the Japanese have a word for the love of going to bookstores or libraries and spending hours there!
I used to be a voracious reader back when it was difficult to get books to read. I guess I read whatever books I could get my hands on. My daughter as a child used to read everywhere too. She did not need a mood or a particular spot to read. She would read in grocery store lines, in cars, at appointments, or wherever else she was. And she had multiple books in different places of the house or car and she would just pick up that book at that place and read. She amazed me with her ability to keep the characters in each of those books straight in her head. Today, I wish I could be like that. I would like to be that reader devouring books, especially since books are so accessible now. Nowadays, although many of you are going to laugh at me it has become such that, for reading to be a desirable activity preparing to read is as important. The hunt for an interesting book, acquiring said book, a perfect bookmark, the best comfortable spot, and the mood.
All three of these bookmarks are Madhubani style paintings. I have shared information about Madhubani paintings in my very first post years ago (linked here). Fishes in Madhubani mean fertility and prosperity and they symbolize wealth, and abundance The existence of fish means that all the elements of nature are in harmony, and hence there is prosperity. Madhubani paintings use two-dimesional imagery and the traditional paintings made on handmade paper with colors derived from plants. Not directly related but the thought on fishes reminded me of the book ‘Why fish don’t exist’ by Lulu Miller. But that is a thought for another post.
These bookmarks are made using a pigment pen for the outlines on mixed media 300gsm paper. For the three fishes bookmark, I used brush pens for painting. It’s a relatively new tool for me and I don’t particularly like it’s finish but for small projects that need bright colors and a somewhat paint like feel, I use them. I would not recommend these for large painting that require a more authentic traditional look. For the peacock bookmark and the round fish bookmark I used sharpies. Again, I do not use or recommend them for a realistic Madhubani but for small, quick projects that need super saturated bright colors, I use them. They are also beginner friendly to use as you can control the spread of colors as opposed to using watercolors that need more control.
A little bit off track here but recently on one of those trips to the bookstore, I was looking for good 1-2 page motivationals or material to read at work. I found ‘Read this for inspiration’ by Ashley Perez and I have to say I love it. It is such a colorful book, cheery, and inspiring without sounding preachy or boring. Some of the content is written referencing people from history like Frida Kahlo and the Japanese painter Hokusai. A few other books on my office desk are ‘I really needed this today’ by Hota Kotb and ‘A year of positive thinking’ by Cyndie Spiegel. If you have suggestions of 1-2 page fiction or non-fiction books that I may enjoy, please let me know. I don’t know if they have murder mysteries or thrillers in 1-2 pages, but wouldn’t that be so much fun to read at work!
Although I have never done this, I think a bookmark with a favorite quote is a good idea too. I imagine one of my bookmarks would have this one. A reader lives a thousand lives.” – George R.R. Martin.