Xmas 2012 on the windows

Xmas being upon us, this is a new series of Mehendis on the windows. I tried using smaller paint brush to be much more precise. It was lots of work... but not much results. It wasn't as spectacular from a distance as last year. It was simply a problem a scale. Bigger drawings in a bigger frame such as a window are much better. 

Xmas Mehendi

Mehendi or Mehndi consists in the application of henna on the body extremities (arms, hands, feet, lower legs). It is temporal, lasting more or less time, depending on the skin grain and colour. It is done with a herbal paste, quite enjoyable to apply as it gives the impression of doing some aromatherapy. It is applied with either a paint brush or thanks to some sort of small pastry bag. Once it is dried and left for 2 hours, the paste should be brushed and the temporal tattoo appears. 

It is done in several countries as it is part of some of the traditional and ceremonial outfits for both Muslims and Hindus. It is mostly women wearing these tattoos, when getting married and some people said that the darker the tattoo gets, the better the wife will be.

There are different designs for these tattoos and I learned some of them, displayed underneath on my hand.

Going away from Mauritius and totally in love with Mehendi designs, I decided to draw them on my house windows with some wet limestone powder during christmas time. It was giving such a different atmosphere, both exotic and peaceful. 

Track and art

To detect the presence of some animal species, scientists use, among other techniques, track pads. The idea is quite simple. A tunnel, a cardboard card with some ink in the middle, a bait right in the middle of this ink and the trick is set. A little ball of fluff can then come as well as some creepy crawlies and slithering creatures. I have never seen birds going into these tunnels but who knows, if they discover the amazing taste of peanut butter, they might. Yes, peanut butter is the usual currency used for bait. Pears, fish, cat do wonders as well. But anyway, as getting the bait means walking in the ink and then back out on the card, scientists can then find lovely pieces of art. Just for fun, I put a few together but I am sure we could almost use them as the new Rorschach test. Let's see what you can see in these.