As soon as I come back from the mountains, I longingly wait for the days when I get to make the drive back there again. During one of those waiting periods, I designed and made this book. I also play music. Thoughts of the mountains and music coupled together to make something new. This is the story of this book – “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”
An alpine lake at 9,290 feet (2,830 meters). A beautiful place for letting the mind wander.
My beloved musical instruments, along with the Kantele I picked up last year during our visit to Finland.
With the two in mind, I started designing the book cover. Once I had the measurements for the paintings, I started with the drawing of two old Chinese instruments – the dizi and the guqin. I was having a bit of trouble with the motif on the guqin. So I sketched another one at the bottom of the page, where I could erase and redraw to my heart’s content, until I was content.
A close-up. I used a few helper lines while drawing the curves on the guqin. I added a bit of shading in the sketch as a reminder for those areas when I started painting.
This was the first attempt. Honestly I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t like it either. The dizi was fine, but I didn’t care for the rest. The branches were too dark, the ribbon was too prominent, and the guqin lost the lighting effects.
After a deep breath and the passing of another day, I restarted. This time I got want to wanted.
For the white motif, I used the white of the unpainted paper. Once the guqin was painted, I used a tiny brush to smooth out the lines and blend in the colors. I painted the two pictures together to keep the flow of the background from one into the other.
When stitching books, I have to pay attention to the tension of the stitch. As I was stitching the papers together for the book, I was being a bit heavy-handed. That resulted in my tearing the gentle watercolor paper at the needle hole.
I cut up those discarded papers to make this little black watercolor book as a smaller prototype for the larger one.
A couple of days later I was done with making the book. I added the red headband on the top and bottom of the spine. I thought it looked perfect with the black book and the blue paintings that I was about to add on the cover.
Trimming the painting to fit the cover insets took some careful work. Since I had painted the two together, I could feel the sky, the branches and the music flowing from one into the other.
Another story that I shared previously about my hiking in the alpine high country.
During the time at home away from there, I thought of the mountains and the snow-melt waters playing and singing together as two souls in this intimate, yet vast landscape.
“High mountains and flowing water” refers to a deep unspoken bond between two souls. The name came long after, but I find it befitting what I have created.
What started as a longing for the mountains has now taken on a shape of its own. I will fill this book with what kind of paintings, I wonder. That story is yet to be told.
Until next time,
-Soma
P.S. After a long break from the computer and other activities, my shoulder is on the mend. Thank you so much for your well wishes.
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. Hosts of linky parties – please grab a photo of your choice for your party. Thank you for hosting!
46 thoughts on “High Mountains and Flowing Water”
Linda Primmer July 11, 2026 at 10:34
Beautiful art of the mountains, water and music. You are very talented. Wonderful process too. Thanks so much for sharing at Love Your Creativity.
Catherine Sokolowski July 7, 2026 at 04:48
Your book is gorgeous and your paintings beautiful!
Heidrun ⛱ July 6, 2026 at 00:23
I admire your artwork.
Thank you! …also on behalf of my dear husband, who was delighted to receive the congratulations.
And thank you once again for your wonderful contribution to MosaicMonday this week.
Debbie July 4, 2026 at 20:44
good news about your shoulder, i dislike when i am not 100% your art and images are exceptionally beautiful, you have such talent in everything you do!!
Eileen July 4, 2026 at 02:08
Beautiful scenic views and lovely photos. I am glad you are healing and feeling better.
Take care, have a great weekend.
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs July 4, 2026 at 01:57
What stunning photos of the mountains and water. The finished book is gorgeous too, and
I can’t wait to see all of the lovely paintings you fill it with. Have a fab weekend, Soma. xx
Christine July 3, 2026 at 16:08
Lovely post
Christine July 3, 2026 at 09:59
Lovely post
Linda July 2, 2026 at 13:29
Beautiful photos, beautiful instruments, beautiful art and book.
Bill July 2, 2026 at 04:51
Beautiful places you visited and I like how you came up with the inset drawings
Sandee @ Comedy Plus July 1, 2026 at 08:21
I would love to explore the high mountains and the flowing water. Beautiful shots.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥
Peabea June 30, 2026 at 22:11
A book being read through your wonderful art is awesome. I wonder how do you make the book covers? I’ve made books before, but usually just paper covers and never hard ones. Such talent.
Jennifer Wise June 30, 2026 at 14:24
What a beautiful process. I love the photos. Visiting from the Wednesdays in the Studio link party.
tomthebackroadstraveller June 30, 2026 at 14:15
…keep the music playing!
Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie June 29, 2026 at 20:27
It’s so interesting to see how you translate your love of mountains, water and music into beautiful art. Your book is wonderful and I can almost hear the music through your art. x K
Melynda June 29, 2026 at 06:46
Your work is always so beautiful!
Lisa | Handmade in Israel June 28, 2026 at 22:35
You are a perfectionist, like me, but your drawings are beautiful and the book covers too. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos.
Cosy June 27, 2026 at 15:24
I love the musical instrument images, such nice angles! Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #WeeklyWonders.
Amy Johnson June 27, 2026 at 05:22
Your creativity seems to have no end. Your artistic ability never ceases to amaze me. How wonderful that mountains inspires you so.
Maria June 27, 2026 at 01:24
I really enjoy reading and seeing the process of your art. My daughter is the artist of our family and she loves to talk about the process of her current projects every evening.
Michelle June 26, 2026 at 14:29
I enjoyed going through this process with you. I adore the mountain view! Thank you for linking up and have the very best weekend.
Sarah MumofThree World June 26, 2026 at 08:56
It was lovely to read about the process for painting the musical instruments.
Kim Carberry June 26, 2026 at 05:39
What amazing art work, you are so talented with that and with the music. How interesting to read about the process of making the books. I am glad your shoulder is feeling better.
Barbara June 25, 2026 at 15:25
Nice to see where you get your inspiration from
Pat June 25, 2026 at 08:47
Alpine lakes hold a soecial beauty! I know the feeling that being in the mountains brings and how it lingers. Your smaller watercolor book is wonderful and very portable. I;m gla dyour shoulder is feeling better–continue to heal!
Nature Notes June 23, 2026 at 14:10
I love the book and seeing how it was made…..
Steph@CrazyLittleLovebirds June 22, 2026 at 01:36
Soma, great detail, and thank you for sharing the process. I’m also happy to hear that your shoulder is doing better.
handmade by amalia June 21, 2026 at 05:08
Very hot here today. I would jump into that alpine lake for a swim, if I could.
Amalia
xo
Alan Bates June 20, 2026 at 13:42
I love the book and am amazed at the care you put into the artwork.
I love your photographs. I really do miss the mountains.
Susan June 20, 2026 at 10:34
I love your musical instruments. I am always fascinated with your processes. I am glad your shoulder is better.
jeane June 19, 2026 at 11:17
What beautiful territory! And while you may not be as satisfied as I would be, I just loved the images. Your book will be wonderful.
Erika N June 19, 2026 at 09:32
That mountain view is gorgeous. I can understand why you’d like to go back right away. And were there other people? I didn’t notice any, so that makes it even more special. And nice collection of instruments. I would like a piano, but sadly I have no room. Do you play them all? I hope you are having a lovely June. And a happy weekend and rest of this FRiday. hugs-Erika
Lavender Dreams June 19, 2026 at 08:48
I’m so glad your shoulder is better. What amazing photos AND art in this post. You are so detailed in everything you do. You SEE so much! Hugs, Diane
Nicole/DVArtist June 19, 2026 at 06:16
Soma, this is an exceptional post. My heart too, belongs to the mountains. Your art is simply extraordinary. One of my wishes, even at my age, is to play the violin. You have so many talents and I know the music you play is soothing and peaceful. Anyway that’s what I think. Have a very nice weekend.
Gillena June 19, 2026 at 04:49
Happy Friday
Thank you for linking to AFFF
much love
Jim, Sydney, Australia June 19, 2026 at 02:56
Beautiful.
Veronica Lee June 18, 2026 at 22:39
Your books are always such treasures.
I’m glad your shoulder is healing.
May it keep getting stronger so you can enjoy more creative days ahead.
Peter B. June 18, 2026 at 16:27
It reminds me of my hike in the Sierras. Beautiful!
Joanne June 18, 2026 at 10:25
Your books are just so lovely! I am so glad to hear that your shoulder is doing better.
Connie June 18, 2026 at 10:01
So good to hear your shoulder is on the mend. I imagine sewing the book pages takes a bit of work, I have done a few journals where I did not get the stitching tight enough and some of the pages are a little loose so I try to really pay attention to that now. You did a great job on your cover, I like how there is cut away spots for you to add the drawings you created, great way to personalize it too! Beautiful areas to get your inspiration from. How wonderful you can play so many different instruments!
an artist reflects June 18, 2026 at 08:51
so much creativity in place ~ such talent and glad you have healed and have the energy to create this beautiful book ~ it is awesome ~ thanks, Hugs ^_^
an artist reflects
Dixie June 18, 2026 at 08:35
Beautifully made books, Soma.
I love the painting of the dizi and the guqin. I bet
they make wonderful sounds.
Thank you for the mountain and lake adventure.
Mary June 18, 2026 at 08:08
I like how you brought your two loves together so beautifully. You always capture those mountain scenes in such a magical way and your drawings are so detailed that they could be photos.
Karen Goad June 18, 2026 at 07:32
oh to be going to the mountains – it is so lovely and peaceful I love them so much. Your drawings are always so mice to me you do such good work. You play all those instruments? you are so talented. Glad your shoulder is better.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal June 18, 2026 at 04:44
Thank you for sharing your process. I love seeing how you do such exquisite work! And what looks perfect to you isn’t quite to your liking, yet you don’t discard it. You must have a quiet husband – mine would never be quiet long enough for me to have the deep thought processes I crave – lol! But if he wasn’t around with all the “noise” that is part of him, I would be so lonely. ;)
Cat June 18, 2026 at 02:37
That’s so pretty! I really appreciate you telling us about the process that takes you to the end result, but also about the mistake and how you dealt with it to make something new.