The picture book story revolves around a cat who is fascinated by the patterns he sees around him. From Ajji’s (grandmother’s) patterned sarees to the colorful things sold at the market - he wonders how every pattern would look on him. However something goes wrong every step of the way. Can he ever manage to wear a pattern? The picture book was conceived as part of the final thesis project at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru.
The book was illustrated with textured paper created using paints with relief printing using household items such as sponge or bubble wrap, block printing, mono printing, and detailed using color pencils and markers.
Left: An illustration from the book where the cat is observing shapes such as triangular samosas and round cookies, in the snack jars on a roadside food cart while Ajji (grandmother) makes her way to the market.
Right: The cat plays in the fruit market where he sees striped watermelons, scaly pineapples, spiky jackfruits and quilted custard apples.
My research journey for the development of the picture book began with understanding everyday visual cultures of Indian cities- from market places to neighbourhoods. Here are some visual explorations based on my experiences that I documented in my journal.
Left: Pineapple vendors in a market created using gouache and color pencils, block print and newspaper.
Top Right: A monoprint with markers of some Indian cookies at a bakery.
Bottom Right: A collection of visual explorations of different patterns in Indian crafts that I saw in a craft exhibition in the city - ceramics, baskets, block printing and sandals, illustrated using poster paints, color pencils and markers.
Top Right: A monoprint with markers of some Indian cookies at a bakery.
Bottom Right: A collection of visual explorations of different patterns in Indian crafts that I saw in a craft exhibition in the city - ceramics, baskets, block printing and sandals, illustrated using poster paints, color pencils and markers.
