"Gobi Desert Day 14"
The Wrestlers
The i2P team timed their expedition perfectly, hitting two separate Erlin Gurvaan Naadam festivals in the Gobi Desert. Erlin Gurvaan Naadam quite literally means "the three games of men", comprising of horse racing, wrestling and archery. These festivals are held midsummer all across Mongolia. This small painting screamed for abstraction. I decided to capture the shear mass of the wrestlers in blocks of colour foregoing fine detail to capture the essence of the wrestling match.
"Gobi Desert Day 13
Ray has now moved out of the grasslands and into the desert portion of his run. He has commented by video that the temperatures are getting brutally hot, much like the Atacama Desert Expedition a couple years back. Ray is also running solo now as Kevin has had to drop out of the expedition due to his injury. We are all cheering you on on Ray! Keep it up - you are an inspiration to us all!
"Gobi Desert Day 12"
It was with sadness that Kevin Lin had to withdraw from the Gobi Expedition due to the nagging injury that started a few days in. Several hundred kilometres with an injury proved to be too much. Ray continues the run across Gobi solo. Ray did however say by video, that Kevin may rejoin him later in the expedition. It is hard to fathom the toll running close to 2 full marathons a day for 35 days has on the body. You go Ray! We are all behind you back home!
"Gobi Desert Day 11"
So many things to sketch! Following the Gobi Expedition vicariously from a distance makes me want to get out there and run, travel sketch, explore and paint. Ray Zahab and the i2P team - an inspiration to us all! What an incredible place this planet Earth is - so much to see!
"Gobi Desert Day 10"
One of the most beautiful aspects of the i2P expeditions is the crossing of cultures. There may be a language barrier, but Ray and the i2P team have proven that this is not an impediment to connect in a truly positive way with people who live in some of the most remote areas on earth.
"Gobi Desert Day 9"
Looks like Ray has company on his long runs! Kevin Lin appears to be back in action, Bob Cox has joined in for a couple of days and Ray has even solicited one of the locals to run with him! Looking good Ray! Keep it up Dude!
"Gobi Desert - Day 8"
I am following Ray's lead, by challenging myself not only to a painting a day, but a run a day as well. They say it takes 20 days to make or break a habit. Perhaps following the 35 day Gobi Challenge, I will have created massive change.
