Rambles in to Sacred Realms: Journeys in Pen and Paint

Art and religion is not a new combination, but Krishna V. Krishnan takes it in a new direction, or maybe to a new height in Rambles into Sacred Realms. So crammed full of illustrations, it is a challenge to stop turning pages and read the text, or vice versa. The chapters are bewitching as he hones in on twelve chosen sites representing the ancient environment and landscapes with complementary surroundings, and the divine mingling with the earthly.

Krishnan has visited some 60 countries while interpreting his travels through a variety of art media. Whether it’s a stunning acrylic image of a Hawaiian volcano, or a scratchboard elephant head disconcertingly like Kissinger, the effect is mesmerizing. His “journeys in pen and paint” span the globe; the sites are familiar, but his interpretation is unique. Nazareth in acrylic colors on canvas board is magical. India’s Kedar Ghat in glowing orange, a watercolor of Greek olive groves, and others are all made more fascinating by his appreciation of nature; he best represents the indigenous fauna on scratchboard.

Besides the narrative describing the locations’ cultural significance, Krishnan shares personal and humorous accounts of his experiences.