At MUSIC FOR THE EYES

I haven't finished my self portrait from 2/17 yet, but last week the Whidbey Island Sketchers met in the amazing, eclectic swirl of color and texture that is the "Music for the Eyes" shop in Langley. Headwear, rugs, jewelry, scarves, beads, musical instruments - from Russia, Morocco, Nepal, Turkey, Asia and other exotic locales. A true treasure of a shop right in beautiful downtown Langley.

Santoor and Tabla Drums

It was a delight listening to Rags played by Anjali Joshi, on santoor, and Ravi Albright, on tabla drums at Music for the Eyes. This was music for the soul. As they played and I sketched, I found myself floating, feeling it around and within. Time evaporated. The Santoor means 100 strings and is basically an Indian dulcimer. Each set of strings twist and overlap in the center, so each side, right and left, have different notes. One lovely melody they played is common to Bollywood movies. I'm reinstating my netflix to rent some just for the music alone. And without a doubt, they're also visually rich. Here are a couple of my sketches. I tried to capture the fluid gestures of Ravi's fingers and hands as they tapped the drums. The experience was entirely beautiful.

Music from India at Music for the Eyes

Kris and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of Indian music and sketching at Music for the Eyes in Langley last night, with Anjali Joshi on santoor and Ravi Albright on tabla drums. 

Anjali Joshi & Ravi Albright

Anjali Joshi is well known in the Seattle area as a solo Santoor artist and as an accompanist on harmonium to Indian vocal and tabla artists. Ravi Albright, who  accompanied her on the tabla drums, has studied with the legendary Pandit Anindo Chatterjee of Calcutta.

Ravi Albright

Anjali Joshi

Originating in Persia, the santoor is an ancient instrument of India, with 100 strings played with curve mallets. It was played with folk music of Kashmir as well as by Sufi mystics.

Annette Hanna's Music for the Eyes

Artist, Annette Hanna, is on Whidbey for the summer and will be sketching with our group while she is here.  This pastel of Music for the Eyes on First Street in Langley is her first sketch with Whidbey Island Sketchers. Beautiful work!

Hanna will be be teaching a 3-day workshop "The Landscape in Pastel" in July at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio.

Music for the Eyes, Langley

These colorful robes are in Music for the Eyes in Langley.

It is an oasis of great things to look at..carpets, textiles and

jewelry from Central Asia. Magic on a gray day!

And I was served a steaming cup of spice tea!

And later had a glass of wine at the Bistro.