For this collection the DABU team requested we highlight Udaipur plant life. (I have a dream job!) I love living here for the people and the culture, but it's incredibly beautiful too so I was excited to capture some of the visuals. Also, I love tree identification, and it bothers me that I don't know about the vegetation here. But now I had a great excuse! First things first, I talked to my friends about the most iconic Rajasthani trees:
The top picks: Jhard, Rujiya, Boliya, Khejari, Aam, Khaakhra, Chameli.
Now I had names, but I needed to match them to trees. I did some sleuthing and could connect the local names to scientific names that gave me pictures.
All that was left was to go on a walk.
Our studio is tucked into a densely populated neighborhood, or so it seems from the outside. Just like our giant courtyard is camouflaged by a tall row of homes, so a quick stroll down the winding alley reveals an opening to fields with a river running through them. I am happy for any excuse to take a stroll and cannot tell you the shock I felt when I first discovered this green surprise. Along the way I found several of the trees on my list. I took photos. I picked leaves. I pressed those leaves. And then I started arranging them.
Creating a duplicating pattern is pure magic and I love taking an intuitive, explorative approach to design. After creating lots of leaves, playing around with levels of abstraction and detail, I began to create a layout. I don't plan out too much in advance, but give myself little challenges. "Can I make this geometric organic shape into a geometric pattern? Disguise the repeat, or highlight it?" I'm often surprised or stumble onto things by accident. (Is it really an accident, or is it just the nature of asking "what if... ?" that leads to discoveries?)
What trees did I choose?
Palaash in nature | Palaash print in process
The Palaash blooms are so unique, so full of movement, like a dancing wave, but actually quite sturdy, While creating the design I really focused on capturing that feeling.
We have several Neem trees at our studio and I snack on the berries (idk what they are called) when they ripen at the end of summer. The leaves are so structured, but really thin and flowy.
Khejari (though I didn't know its name) has always been one of my favorites here. I like the fern-like vibe, and how the leaves cluster together. It's so many little pieces that make up the whole.
Palaash, Neem and Khejari: the three trees that stood out to me. The trees that said, "this is Udaipur!" Which print stands out to you?
Analise
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