24th March 2026 Beena
When I shared my first Chinese-style watercolour painting online, it sparked a wave of thoughtful comments and heartfelt reactions. The artwork depicts a lively scene of children playing with glowing lanterns in a rural village, nestled among majestic mountains, with strings of firecrackers hanging festively from the houses.
Portraying humans and animals has always challenged me, yet I chose to include my three daughters—Zara, Mika, and Yumi—quietly observing the joyous play. I titled this piece “Isn’t Innocence a Joy?” to reflect the pure delight captured in the moment.
The responses were varied and stimulating: some proposed that innocence diminishes as we age, while others contended that innocence is impractical in today’s society. While I appreciate these views, I maintain that joy endures — in the tiniest, most unexpected places. Perhaps it’s not innocence itself, but the ability to discover wonder in everyday moments. During these times, nurturing that sense of wonder seems more essential than ever.