Following My Paint Brush

Such a lovely book with traditional art work telling the artist’s own story. It’s a treasure for children and adults alike.

An Indian domestic worker learns to paint, without having had formal education. Her vibrant paintings give us a marvellous view into her simple village life.

Following My Paint Brush text by Gita Wolf based on Dulari Devi’s oral narrative, art by Dulari DeviThe art in this picture book is absolutely gorgeous. It’s bright and colorful and charming. Dulari Devi told the story of her life to Gita Wolf who simplified it and wrote it out. I think it’s one of those books that could be quite inspirational for aspiring artists. I could even see the art potentially inspiring some pen, ink and watercolor drawings (although I think that’s a fine line since it is a traditional art form).I think this would make a nice addition to our biography collection to go alongside other picture book biographies of artists, particularly Draw What You See, The Noisy Paint Box, and also the books we have about Frida Kahlo. It would also make a nice addition to our art collection where we could showcase this traditional art form (I’ll have to think very hard about where it might get the best circulation and use).I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I try very hard to ensure that the books we have about other cultures don’t create a narrative of pity and poverty. Heads up, this book is a story about a woman who grew up very poor and uneducated in India. I will be buying the book for our collection because of the art (did I mention it’s beautiful?) and the worthwhile story, but I am also going to check our other books about India and Indians to be sure we have books that show other narratives from the country.I would like to share that last year we had a kindergartener who is Indian. She wears a bindi everyday. Some of the other kids in the class (white, as far as I know) asked her about it. Eventually their questions and curiosity started to sound a lot like teasing and bullying. Her teacher came to the library asking if we had books she could read to and share with the class that featured Indian or Indian American characters. There weren’t many. The thing is this little girl is not poor or uneducated and neither are her parents. I worried that the few books we did have would feed the kids another idea about this little girl and her family, namely that they were poor, uneducated and in need of pity (or worse would paint a picture of colonialism in India). I did end up finding a handful of books that were good and the teacher did share them (including Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji). She also invited the little girl’s parents in to talk about an aspect of their culture of their choosing. I am not sure how the whole situation resolved or if it actually did, but that is exactly why I want to be very careful to be sure there is a variety of stories about cultures in our library.

Indian society has many strata based on caste and/or class. What once could have been a loose way to organize people and make laws has now transmogrified in to commandments, propelled purely by the willingness of the people to accept and conform. Being a woman AND being born in the lower caste AND being poor can be a triple whammy. Rarely there are some people who break out of this cycle and it is an uphill task to do so.FOLLOWING MY PAINT BRUSH tells the real life story of the Mithila painting artist Dulari Devi who bettered her life by following her passion - painting. Her story is told through her own paintings and the simple, yet powerful words of Gita Wolf.There is a page which says, "What do I draw? I thought of the fish my mother and I used to sell in the market and the strange patterns on them. I would catch those fish in paint."This is a classic example of how Gita's text subtly tells how Dulari Devi overcame her creator's block and draws inspiration from her life.Dulari Devi's illustration displays elements of symmetry. The repetitive geometrical patterns are typical of Mithila art. It also shows one half of the painting with minimal colors and intricate lines. Where as the other side shows vibrant colors filled in between lines. This is the fusion of two styles of Mithila art - the Kachni and the Bharni. Dulari Devi combines various styles and experiments in order to achieve the desired visual effect.The line that spoke the most to me is:"As time went on I couldn't imagine a single day without painting. It was a part of my life."It made me think, when you are born in and living in poverty, the lack of power to do or say anything, the feeling of helplessness associated with the situation, has a greater impact on human emotions than lack of money and the material comforts it can buy. Once Dulari Devi started painting, once she started expressing herself and her paintings get some kind of recognition, she just cannot stop.This comes through in the last page when Dulari Devi says, "I was so proud that people wanted to know about me and what I thought."From promoting the Mithila art to celebrating the will of this talented artist, this book is quintessential Tara. FOLLOWING MY PAINT BRUSH found its way to my coffee table and the message to my heart.

This is the illustrated story of artist Deva Dulari. She tells how she worked in rice fields, cooked and took care of brothers and sisters, sold fish, and washed other people’s dishes. “Time passed and I grew up, but I still did the same work. I had never gone to school, so I was not trained to do any other job. Sometimes I wished I could do something else. Everyday was the same, as it had been from the time I was a small girl.”One day, she sees a group of children playing and makes a picture in her mind. Next she paints a fish in the mud. Then she finds out a lady she works for is an artist. The artist encourages Deva and she begins to create not only gorgeous art but a new identity for herself. The illustrations are amazing and have a lyrical style. For a review of more books by Tara Press, you can read my blog: http://www.joycorcoran.com/2014/10/tara-books-slender-art-galleries-on.html

She is excellent painter and teaches paintings to young students in Mithila Art Institute, Madhubani, Bihar

Even if you are just a little into folk art or Madhubani painting, you still need to have this book. Dulari Devi chronicles her life using Madubani paintings and what a life she has. She started as a cleaner lady to the renowned Mahasundari Devi and one day summed up the courage to ask her to teach. Her teacher's acknowledgement changed her life. From struggling to hold a brush as she had never had an education, she has now become a National Award winning artist - all because of her hard work.A must buy for kids and adults alike.

Book is nice but there are few concerns. MRP is Rs 200 but they are selling the book at Rs 250 with Delivery Charge of Rs 35. As we have seen middle men make money but the poor Artist doesn't. The Book consists only 15 pages filled with Mithila Paintings based on her few incidents of her life which are quite emotional. I assumed this will be a thicker book that's why I bought. Few pages have yellowed spots as if not well kept.

Love all the publications from Tara Books and this is no exception. Excellent value!