This exploration was a new experience for me. I have never tried making a stick puppet before and this was very nice. I had some bright colored papers of different textures and I wanted to bring out something that was just a reflection of me and my culture. I also remembered the time I had learned a traditional art form known as "Those Bommalalatta" which is a shadow puppet tradition from Andhra Pradesh in India. Similar to modern stick puppets, this art form uses leather and palm leaf sticks. It is a very ornate art form that was used over centuries to convey stories from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. 1. For this particular exploration, I thought it would be best to use the colors and textures I have to bring out my cultural connection. I have depicted "myself" in traditional Indian attire (Pavadai Dhavani- Tamil for a Half saree). I enjoyed putting the different elements together and noticed that the colors and textures predominantly guided my creative process. 2. The challenge I think was to let go and just let the materials guide the process. I was cautious about not having a plan in my head. I think I would like to do more of this exploration to see how the process improves. 

For the Coil Pot Exploration: I was inspired by Helen Gutiérrez's black pottery. One of her work that had a similar construct with black paw detail with polished black and black slip work was my inspiration. Starting off with a small base, the pot widens in the middle and tapers to the mouth which has a width similar to that of the base. The whole experience was extremely soulful, bringing the mind, body, and soul to work together to produce a work of art. I wanted to keep the coils visible giving it a very personal touch with sunflower and bead detailing. I wanted to show the lines and the joints that are a result of the coil method of pottery. After all, "Beauty lies in the process". For the Storyteller doll: My inspiration for storytelling has always been my father. He, even today inspires me to listen to, look around, and take inspiration from stories. I could relate to Helen Cordero and her granddaughter, on how oral history was very significant in their culture. In India, mythologies and epics in Hinduism have always been passed on to the next generation through stories. This is a form of oral history and intangible heritage. More often, clay dolls, and stick puppets painted to depict the characters, were extensively used to tell the stories. For my storyteller doll, I have made a doll that is like my father, who has always played a great role in my interest in art, history, and heritage. His narrations of various mythological stories, the books he would use to show me the images associated, and the kind of narration always drew me towards reading more and being inspired. One of my early memories of clay dolls was a history class from 6th grade on Indus Valley Civilization. I remember the class and the lesson so well because the teacher used clay pots and figurines that resembled the ones from the excavations to teach the lesson.

• Contour drawing - Fall special leaves 

• Figure drawing- Barathanatyam Dancer

• Indian Traditional Pattachitra mask

• Little (not red) Riding hood