DAY 2

January 29, 2025

We have a full day of finding new art and a bit of shopping. It all starts with a beautiful breakfast at our hotel – The Taj Mahal. Each time we stay at this magnificent hotel we are reminded of India’s elegant past. From our window we can see the Gateway of India, a huge landmark that greeted ships arriving to Bombay – now rename Mumbai.

Karen and I will tour with Birgid while Connie and Todd have their guides. By the way they are both loving their India experience.

It is easy to reach the first gallery and our first shopping experience on foot. Immediately we are reminded of the chaos on the streets. Bicycles, motor scooters, taxi cabs, others on foot – we all share narrow very congested streets. Navigating requires patience. All the visits today are with galleries we have known from the past however most of the artists are new to us.

Our first stop featured a young female artist working with geometric shapes and light. They also shared with us photographs of a deceased artist that focused on life in Rajasthan. Also, a painter who depicts birds on a man’s head. We will pursue both of these artists.

A leather goods shop behind the Taj Mahal, Napps Dori is a favorite – all hand made in India with great design. I bought several things and will check their website for additional pieces. I love this shop. In fact I took the kids back later in the day.

Next we visited a gallery we know well. We were not taken by the paintings on exhibit.

Finally on to Gallery Maskara which we know very well. They are showing very large ink brush works by T. Venkanna, an artist we already have in our collection. The artist and friend Parag Sonarghare traveled from his home elsewhere in India just to see us. We have works by Parag and he has been an artist in residence in Puerto Vallarta. The last time we visited he photographed the backs of my hands and the top of my feet. We have the three hands paintings and today he showed us huge paintings of my feet. Karen says we have to purchase these.

Shopping time! We again visited two clothing shops with garments on-the-edge – right up my quirky alley. In one case they took my measurements and will mail the garments to me. One cannot find this type of design at home.

We finished the day with martinis and dinner at the Japanese restaurant in our hotel. Delicious!

Robert