Looking back 2018 - The Year of Oil Painting with a Soulful experience...

Looking Back 2018
The Year of Oil Painting with a Soulful experience

As another year goes into history books, it is that time of the year to look back before saying "Goodbye". The year 2018 is a great year for my Art with remarkable memories and milestones along the path. Following are just some of those to cherish forever:

• Accepted the challenge and did a live painting in 30 minutes organized by Calcutta Club, USA. The painting was auctioned at the end to raise funds for a charity. It was the first live painting experience for me and I enjoyed it fully.
• Also, performed another live painting at Sanskriti 2018, an Indian Book Fair and Literature Festival at which Shobha De was the keynote speaker.
• Approached by TANA to do a cover page for Ugadi issue, TANA magazine. Very first time for my painting to appear on a cover page for a magazine, was certainly an honor.
• My Engineering classmate and one of my good friends, Kiran dedicated a song sung by him to my Art, what an honor by another talent!
• Exhibited my Paintings along with fellow Kalakruti Artists at a couple of events including the annual conference,  Learnquest Music Academy in which one of my watercolor paintings got Sold. Thanks to Mrs. Sukanya Lahiri Soderland from Winchester, MA who owned my painting.
• Designed a CD cover for a spiritual music album done by Mrs. Shuchita Rao which was officially released at this year's Learnquest Music Academy annual conference. Thanks Shuchita Rao garu for approaching me giving me this opportunity.
• Did a series of watercolor paintings inspired by the movie, Rangasthalam. with the first sketch done at Chennai Air Port on the way to my hometown Nellore while I had to wait for an hour for my sister Indira. 
• Took Dancing Krishna painting with me to Nellore, India, got it framed and gifted to my brother Sridhar. Dedicated it to my beloved Baamma without whom I wouldn't have been what I am today.
• Visited my favorite book-stall ChelvaPilla Book Stores, Kavali after nearly 25 years. Buying a pen and a pencil selected by the owner Lakshmi Narayana garu was the most memorable experience of this year.
• Painted Lord Ganesha, based a gift that I got from my sister Chinni, both in Watercolors and in Oil.
• Created special morning time during my summer Canada trip with the family, and did sketches from the hotels we stayed in Quebec City and Montreal, Canada.
• Made two sculptures Lord Ganesha and a Woman bust with Natural Clay.
• Visited two Art Museums: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
• Gifted a few paintings to friends and family.
• Painted statues of Goddess Durga, Radha and Krishna at Sri Sai Chavadi Temple, Canton, MA.
• Displayed two of my paintings selected in a juried Art Show organized by Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Pawtucket, RI.
• Concluded this year with an Oil Painting as my tribute to Indian Classical Dance.

I am absolutely pleased with my dedication, efforts, participations and museum visits this year. My summer visit to two Art museums, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Canada and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA hooked me to Oil Painting. I did more Oil Paintings this year that I could ever imagine to do in the shortest possible time. The sizes vary from small (11" x 14") to very big (3 feet x 2 feet). Also, styles vary from realism to abstract.

That's a fantastic soulful of satisfaction. With several professional-quality Oil Paintings done, this year, I took my Art to new levels. I can certainly declare 2018 year as "The year of Oil Painting" in my life. Once a dream media, Oil Painting, is not a dream media any more. I am glad that I could live up to the title of my blog My Soul on Canvas. When I started this blog, my heart-felt title is fulfilled now. I am looking forward to put more of my soul on the canvas in 2019 with new goals set at new heights.

Thanks to all friends on Facebook for their likes and encouraging comments. Thanks to people who took time to visit my paintings & read my writings (my another passion) on my blog and shared their feelings by comments. Also, thanks to Art lovers on Instagram who loved my Arts.

“Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard.” - Dave Mustaine

Thank you very much 2018, a Soulful Goodbye!

Welcome to 2019! Happy New (Painting) Year!!
నూతన సంవత్సర శుభాకాంక్షలు!!!

Bonded with Love...

Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance

Oil on Canvas 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

I wanted to end this year with a Painting that I would be bonded with love. I never struggled this much to start a new Painting. I started a couple of underpainting sketches on canvas, but was not happy and scrapped those at the early stages.

I already had a rough underpainting sketch done for this Painting about a month ago, but I was not happy with my start. As I messed up body proportions, I kept it aside. I picked it up again and said to myself, 'this is the subject close my my heart, and I cannot leave it like that, I will have to complete it'. I corrected proportions as I was progressing. The size is bit small for getting this kind of output, and I had to put more efforts to get the outcome I wanted.

I am glad that I picked up this and I am quite happy with the result. This is my 9th finished Oil Painting, and 7th one this year alone. With that, I conclude this year, 2018. This is not the first time I leaned the fact that 'when we add love to what you do, we achieve excellence'.

"Love is the bond of perfection." - John Winthrop

Happy Painting!

Keep up the good work!!

Details

Title: Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Mediums: Oil on Canvas

Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting

Reference: A photograph of Dream Girl - Hema Malini from my collection

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Happy Holidays...

Self Portrait

Watercolors on Paper 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

I have done portraits of many people, but haven't done one of my own yet, seriously. This one is just a very quick watercolor self portrait, not sort of a serious painting yet ;)

My better self is still waiting for my better self-portrait.

"Be yourself, but always your better self." - Karl G. Maeser

Happy Holidays!
Happy painting!!

Details
Title: Selfie
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A photograph by my Son

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Colorful Study...

A colorful study for an Oil Painting
Watercolors on Paper 8.5" x 11" (21.5cm x 27.9 cm) 

Artists study their subjects by sketching first in a different media. Pencil, Charcoal, Ink, Watercolors are common media as they give quickest way to study various aspects of it like, values, depth, composition etc.

This is a Colorful Study - a study done in watercolors for my next Oil Painting. Colors speak one language, the language of colors, the language of the universe!

Hopefully, I will conclude this year by this.

“Colors speak all languages.” – Joseph Addison

Happy painting!
Merry Christmas!!

Details
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A random photograph I came across

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Strengthen yourself...

Oil on Canvas

16" x 20" (40cm x 50cm)

You can only strengthen yourself and your skills by doing, doing and doing more. Believe in yourself, in your abilities and in your hard work.

This is a different attempt in Oil on Canvas. This is my 8th finished Oil Painting of which 6th finished this year alone. I am happy, once taken months to finish an Oil Painting now came down to days. It's only the practice that makes you get better at doing anything.

"The undertaking of a new action brings new strength." - Richard L. Evans

Happy Painting!
Keep the journey going!
Never stop for anybody, and for anything!!!

Details

Mediums: Oil on Canvas

Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting

Reference: A photograph

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

బంగారు బాబు...

"బంగారు బాబు"
Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")

"బంగారు బాబు" - ఇలానే పిలుచుకుంటా నా "భువన్" ని ప్రతి రోజూ.

నన్ను చూసిన మొదటి క్షణమే చిరునవ్వులు చిందిస్తూ నా జీవితంలోకొచ్చి...

"ఐ లవ్ యూ భువన్" అన్న ప్రతి సారీ తిరిగి "ఐ లవ్ యూ నాన్నా" అంటూ..

నా జీవితంలో ఆనందాన్ని నింపే నా "బంగారు బాబు" భువన్ కి 

"పుట్టినరోజు శుభాకాంక్షలు!"

- ప్రేమతో

నాన్న

Details
Title:  బంగారు బాబు
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A photograph I took

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

From the heart, onto the easel, into the frame...

Woman with Pot
Oil on Canvas - 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Paintings have long life, Oil Paintings live even longer. They are born from the heart of an Artist, go onto the easel to take a shape, and finally go into a Frame. Not every Art piece makes it's way into a frame and live longer. Of course, Art Galleries is their ultimate destination to live forever. Art is already an opinionated and crowded world.

I am happy that these two Oil Paintings made their way into Frames. They still need to be seen by public in upcoming Art shows and displays. For now, my home is their home...only until they find a new home!

Dancing Radha Krishna
Oil on Canvas - 24" x 36" (60 cm x 91.5 cm)

"We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours."

- Dag Hammarskjold

Happy Painting!
Happy Achievements!!

Details
Mediums: Oil on Canvas

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

The New Beginning...

The New Beginning - work in progress...

Oil on Canvas 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50cm)

Every day is a new beginning, a new Beginning of Hope in life. Nature wakes up everyday with light. The light of hope to extend life. Those who jump out of the bed early are eager to get something extra out of the day given. That something extra is what the life doesn't offer, otherwise. Always, keep up the spirit of extra achievements in the light of hope. Never end the hope, just keep it in the beginnings, always with a New Beginning.

This is the beginning of my new Oil Painting on Canvas. Hoping to have a great experience along the way, as always!

"In the life of the spirit there is no ending that is not a beginning."

- Henrietta Szold

Progressing at a steady pace...

Happy Painting!
Happy New Beginnings!!

Details

Mediums: Oil on Canvas

Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting

Reference: A photograph

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Giving Thanks...

Hands of Light

Oil On Canvas 11"x14" (28cm x 36cm)

We come across many people in life. Some make us laugh, some make us cry. Some make us think, some make us go blank. Some make us learn, some make us teach. Some inspire us, some get inspired by us. Some give us, some take from us. Some hate us, some love us. Some darken our souls, some lighten our souls. Each one comes and goes with a purpose leaving some impact on us. Our thinking, attitude and actions get influenced by all. Good or bad, we do learn from all. Hence, we must be thankful to all.

Art has become part of my life now. It used to be a part of me once, and went away for many years. It came back and I can proudly say, I will have it with me till my last breath. With all due respects, on this day of Thanksgiving, I thank everyone in my life who inspire me, who make me laugh, who make me cry, who make me learn, who love me, who hate me, who appreciate me, and even who criticize me...

Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Painting!!

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

- John F. Kennedy

Details

Title:  Hands of Light

Mediums: Oil on Canvas

Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting

Reference: A photograph

Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

First-of-its-kind Art Exhibition for my Paintings...

Juried Art Show - RIWS, Rhode Island, USA
Nov 10, 2018 - Jan 3, 2019

First-of-it's-kind Art Exhibition for my Paintings, having gone through Juried selection process, I am very happy to know that 2 of my Paintings (a Watercolor and an Oil) made to the Juried exhibition for this year's Artists Choice Open Juried Show organized by Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Rhode Island, USA. There are about 60 Art works by 40 Artists from New England Region that made to this selection. My Paintings will be on display at this show from Nov 10, 2018 to Jan 3, 2019.

The Watercolor Painting goes for Sale. My heart is not ready to put a price on my very first Oil Painting yet!

Here is the link: Selected Artists and Art Work Titles

The following are my works selected by the Jury:

Natyanjali - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Oil On Canvas, 22" x 28" (56 cm x 71 cm)
NOT FOR SALE

Kuchipudi - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Watercolors on Paper 16" x 24" (40cm x 50cm)
FOR SALE

"It's not our art, but our heart that's on display." - Gary Holland

Details
Exhibition:  Artists Choice Open Juried Show for New England Artists
Place:
  Rhode Island Watercolor Society (Art Gallery),
  Slater Memorial Park,
  831 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket, RI 02861
Dates: Nov 10, 2018 to Jan 3, 2019

Learn with Passion...

Woman in Saree (abstract)

Oil on Canvas 18" x 24" (45.72 cm x 60.96 cm)

This is based on my own line sketch that I did in 1994. I never thought I would do it again after 24 years in Oil. As I was going through my collection of my college-days-art-memories, this one ignited my inspiration.

My journey with Oil Painting recently took a scenic route and I have been enjoying the ride and the lovely experience. This time, getting little away from my style- realism, I wanted to attempt in abstract style. From start to finish it took about 3-to-4 hours. This is only my 6th finished Oil Painting, 4th this year, and the fastest so far. Also, I painted most of it with knife, did little brush work on the background.

My dream media, I love Oil Painting. Life is a learning. So, learn with passion. Learn from what you do. What you learn becomes your asset.

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow."

- Anthony J. D'Angelo

Happy Painting!!

Details
Title:  Woman in Saree (abstract)
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting
Reference: My own sketch I did in 1994

Size: 18" x 24" (45.72 cm x 60.96 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Don't just dream...

Woman with Pot
Oil on Canvas 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

You must dream and put sincere efforts in making your dreams (be)come true. In fact, dreams are the best way to dissolve yourself in the process of evolving. They help renew yourself and your creativity. Also, when you dream, dream high and gauge your creations constantly to improve your talent. Having talent and not putting it into action & constant practice is equivalent to not having it all. You can always think "I can do anything". But, only by doing it, you will come to know if you "can" really do it or not.

I always say, Oil Painting has been my dream media since my childhood. As I work more and more with it, my dreams not only become true but also get bigger and go higher, setting my-own new targets and expectations up for myself. At the end of every attempt, I go through a natural process of my own evaluation. This process helps me finding mistakes. Those mistakes are nothing but opportunities of improvements that I missed and can apply in my next attempts.

When I started a sketch for this painting, I felt I had a good beginning. A good beginning can always be expected to have a good ending. My four-day journey spanning three-week-end-days with several hours of total involvement each day, along the path from the beginning to the ending of this painting, was a joyful meditation. The ending is even more joyful. This gave me fully satisfied result and makes an unique addition to my creations of Art. I would certainly say, this is one of my best so far. But the best of the best is yet to come out, one day...

There is a hidden secret in this painting. A full-blown Lord Ganesha in Acrylic is hidden underneath this Painting. I actually started my first Acrylic painting of Lord Ganesha on this canvas. But I was very unhappy with the media and the first-layer outcome. Despite buying the best Professional quality paints and complete brush-set spending big bucks, trying all kinds of techniques and making couple of extra trips to Art Stores to buy add-on liquids to extend it's drying time, it was drying as fast as watercolors. I was totally disappointed and upset with Acrylics. I decided not to waste my time anymore, Acrylics is not my type of media. Then I applied Gesso over it and started this painting in Oil. That's the beauty of Canvas, it can be reused ;)

This Painting is just born today. After 6 to 9 months, I will give it a special varnish coat to preserve and extend it's life and frame it. I am hoping, being born as an Oil Painting, this painting will have longer life wherever it finds it's permanent residence, could be my home or some one else's. The life of a painting is longer than the Artist's. A portion of my he(art) and soul continues to live forever in this painting!

Always give your best in anything you do. There is nothing more satisfying than that in the world!

Happy Painting!!

"Build your life on your dreams, because dreams never have bad endings."

-M.F. Moonzajer

Details
Title:  Woman with Pot
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting
Reference: A photograph I have come across

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

అత్యుత్తమం, అత్యద్భుతం!

ఒక్క పాటలో ఇన్ని హావభావాలా...పద పదం తో, ప్రతి సంగీత తరంగంలో కలసి... కేవలం కళ్ళతో, నవ్వుతో ఇంత అందంగానూ, ఇంత అద్భుతంగానూ పయనించొచ్చా?  అసలు కళ్ళు పాడగలవా...నవ్వు నాట్యం చెయ్యగలదా...ఇది సాధ్యమా?

నవ్వు ఒక్క మనిషికి మాత్రమే అందిన వరం. చిరునవ్వుకే కొత్త అందాల్ని తెచ్చిచ్చిన ఈ అమ్మాయి ప్రతిభ కి ఎల్లలు లేవు. ఒకప్పుడు ప్రదర్శించే వీలులేక ఎన్నో వెలికి రాని, వెలుగు చూడని నైపుణ్యాలు. ఈ స్మార్ట్ యుగంలో, సొషల్ మీడియా అందించిన హద్దులులేని విశాల వేదికలు.

ఒక్కసారి ఈ పాటకి ఈ అమ్మాయి అభినయం, కళ్ళతో చిరునవ్వు కలసి చేసిన నృత్యం చూస్తే, ఎవరైనా మళ్ళీ మళ్ళీ చూడక మానరు, ఈ పాట మిమ్మల్ని చాలా కాలం వెంటాడకా మానదు.

అసలీ పాట వినని, విన్నా గుర్తులేని తెలుగు వాళ్ళెందరో! ఈ పాటలో ఓ ప్రత్యేకతా ఉంది. రెండు చరణాల ట్యూన్ భిన్నంగా ఉంటుంది, దేనికదే సాటిగా. అసలీ పాటని ఎంచుకోవటమే గొప్ప. ఎంచుకున్న పాటకే అందం తెస్తూ, జీవం పోస్తూ సొగసు వన్నెలద్దిన ఈ అమ్మాయి అభినయం అత్యుత్తమం, అత్యద్భుతం!!

Hats off to this naturally Beautiful Telugu Talent !!!

"A really great talent finds its happiness in execution."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

( ఒరిజినల్ సాంగ్ "అల్లరి బుల్లోడు" అనే సినిమా కి బాలు, సుశీల పాడగా కృష్ణ, జయప్రద అభినయించారు. వేటూరి రచన, చక్రవర్తి సంగీతం. )

Disclosure: I usually don't post unknown poeple's videos/images on my blog. But this one is an exceptionally beautiful. The only purpose is to share such an extraordinary Telugu Talent.

Work in Progress...

Video Credits: Bhuvan Pottepalem

Painting with favorite music is always relaxing, and is the way to get the best out of you.

Made much progress working on it for few hours today, the experience is fantastic and happy for my making dreams come true with Oil Painting. Getting better and faster, looking forward to finish it soon!

Progressing...

More progressed...

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."

- Edward Everett Hale

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Woman with Pot
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Art is Divine...

Goddess Durga - Sri Sai Chavadi, Canton MA

I was extremely humbled by this opportunity given to me to re-paint Goddess Durga at Sri Sai Chavadi Temple in Canton, MA, USA. Few months ago, in a Pooja function at one of my friend's place, when the priest Narayan Ji asked me to Paint the Goddess marble statue, I was just surprised. I immediately said, "Sure, Swamiji, I will come, take a look, and will do it". Then, I was wondering "How did he know that I do Painting?".

I was in fact, planning to start Acrylic Painting lately and even bought all necessary supplies. When I explored about the right Paint to use for Marble, I was convinced with Acrylic Painting as more suitable than any other. The day for Acrylic Painting finally and suddenly had arrived two weeks ago. I dedicated a weekend and spent about 8 hours of my sincere time-and-talent near Goddess Durga.

I always feel Art is divine. Experiencing it with the nearness of Divine force of the Goddess is even more divine for me. When I was half way through this job, the priest came to take a look and said, "Giridhar garu, it's coming out so nice. Maata Ji (Goddess Durga) knows the right person to assign this job to. That's how she called you and you are brought in". I was more humbled by his words. His son Dhanush, a 9th grade kid was with me for sometime asking me interesting questions about Painting while I was on this job. It was a divinely wonderful experience for me and my Arts.

Here is the Goddess Durga before and after:

I was also asked to cover minor color marks that the Uthsav statue of Goddess Dugra had on the face which was brought from India for this Navarathri festival.

Uthsav Statue - Goddess Durga

I also noticed that the statue of Radha and Krishna needed a similar Art touch as well. As the Temple didn't plan for it, I just touched eyebrows, eyes and painted hair. Another weekend is due for this work and awaiting the call from Lord Krishna and Radha.

Radha Krishna

By this opportunity, my Art received special blessings during this auspicious days of Dasara Festival. I was happy with my sincere attempts to give my best.

"Be sincere when you commit. Don't commit if you have any doubts on your sincerity."

- Giridhar Pottepalem  

"Painting is the grandchild of nature. It is related to God." - Rembrandt

దసరా శుభాకాంక్షలు!

Happy Painting!!

Details
Mediums: Acrylic
Venue: Sri Sai Chavadi, Canton, MA, USA
Date: 5th, 6th and 7th October, 2018

Beginning matters....

Woman with Pot - Oil on Canvas
Sketch - First Step

This is just the beginning of another beautiful journey I am hoping to have with Oil Painting, my dream media. Looking forward for a wonderful experience.

It is not exaggerated when I say, "I can recollect the place, time of the day, and almost about everything around each of my Art works when I look at them including the oldest of my work that I could save which I did when I was 10 years old". I guess, every Artist could say that. Otherwise, that the Artist was not deeply involved in it.

Like ending matters, beginning also matters and is important in anything we do in life. A good beginning almost always leads onto a good path, resulting into a good ending. I am happy with the good beginning of this painting. It's only an under-painting, still a long way to go. Looking forward to finishing it in coming weeks. With that, I wish myself a "Good Luck" and am hoping to exceed my own expectations and limitations!

"The beginning is the most important part of the work." - Plato

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Woman with Pot
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Plan your day, your way...

Woman with Pot - Ink & Watercolors on Paper

A day is not supposed to be made-up or made-down by others for you. Each day that you don't have to go through day-to-day routine cycle is all yours. At least, those days, you plan your way and do what makes you happy.

You can't just live for others. You also have a person of yourself in those others. Find and be with that person on days that are not routine, and on days that you have a choice to plan. Plan those days your own way. Make that inner-person of yourself happy and then you'll be the happiest.

A day or two spent your way, each week, each month, each year for a long time keeps you happy overall. On instances when you look back, you will not have (m)any regrets. It is hard to have a regret-free past, but at least regrets can be minimized and make them look tiny relatively. As life goes by, fill it with more happiness, that leads to peace.

"For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance." - Mignon McLaughlin

This is a sketch done with Ink & Watercolors on Paper before starting a full-blown Oil Painting.

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Woman with Pot
Mediums: Ink & Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Random Picture came across, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

When the Sun visits to view my Painting...

When the Sun visits to view my Painting...

After I finished this Pinting, I tried my best to take a good picture but was not happy with what I took in the past. This morning, I was about to step out to go to work and a strip of sunlight coming through the window falling and running from top-left to bottom-right corner glorifying just about the central characters: Peacock feather, Flute, Radha and Krishna caught my eye.

There you go...the best of all captured in this Picture with the Sun being the distinguished visitor and viewer today 😉

Now I wonder when does the Moon arrive as a visitor to view this Painting 🤔

"Sunlight is painting." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Dancing with Krishna
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Sculpture - another dream of Art...

Natural Clay - Hand made

Sculpture is another form of Art I have been in love with since my childhood. The roots of my love and  desire for it can be traced back to my School days in 8th grade when My School Art Teacher sculpted TajMahal on a transparent Pears bath soap. Inspired by that, later in my teen age, I tried a couple of sculptures on Ponds and Mysore Sandal bath soaps. Also, did Lord Ganesha on a bath soap.

When I visited Hampi - a sculpture city in Karnataka State, South India with my college friends in 1987, I wanted to live in there and felt like not leaving that place. I said many times to many on many instances that I should have born in the era of King Krishnadevaraya. I fell in love that much with that City of Sculpture. I did a Watercolor Painting of that Hampi as my way to pay tributes to the king Krishnadevaraya, those visionaries and sculptures who built that great sculpture city of all-times. Whenever I visit Hindu Temples anywhere in the world, the majestic architecture and sculpture work is always inspiring to me.

I even wanted to try Marble Stone sculpture. In this not-stone-age but smart-phone-age, it should be easy finding what it requires just by tapping fingers on the phone. And, above all, all it needs is a skillful-adventurous-confidence to attempt it.

I have been doing Lord Ganesha with Natural Clay for the last 9 years. This is first time I tried a true-three-dimensional sculpture with Natural Clay. I did not have any model or picture as a reference for it, just kept going.

Sculpture is truly a three dimensional form of Art. I believe, for an Artist who is a Painter, the skill for sculpture comes in naturally. In a way, it is little easier than Painting due to it's true three dimensional form. In fact, Painting is a multi-dimensional form of Art. One needs to show several dimensions on a two-dimensional surface.

I am happy with this attempt. I should try more of it in the future, of-course, with different materials.

"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."
- Michelangelo

Details

Title: Head of an Indian Woman
Material: Natural Clay

Tools: Hands
Dimensions: 9" x 5" x 5" (23 cm x 13cm x 13cm)

Inspiration: HeArt

Painting Krishna in a Painting...

Painting Krishna - Watercolors on Paper
TAKEN FB

I actually started this as a quick watercolor sketch for my debut in Acrylic Painting. I just kept on going with it, and it turned out to be a painting by itself. It is based on a very old Picture of Singer Sri. Lata Mangeshkar that I came across randomly in social media. I still have to consider it as a sketch. Otherwise, my debut in Acrylic Painting may not take off sooner.

My own creation of Lord Krishna I did in Oils can be seen as a painting in this painting. It's a double, rather a tripe Painting, me painting Radha painting Krishna of my painting.

After experiencing Oil Painting, I wanted to try and explore Acrylic Painting. I even bought a complete set of Paints and brushes. Watercolor is undoubtedly the most expressive media of all. But, certain kind of Paintings must only be attempted in Oils/Acrylic. I think this is one such and will be a great debut for me in Acrylic Painting. I will have to get into it and feel that media...

Looking forward to my beautiful first creation in Acrylic Painting! It's going to be BIG in size as well.

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is Art" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Painting Krishna in a Painting...
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: An old picture of Lata Mangeshkar that I came across, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi - 2018...

Ganesha - natural clay by hand

Making of Lord Ganesha goes on for 9th year in a row. Unlike previous years, this year I went little abstract, working on it with less details. Actually, I didn't get a chance to dedicate a weekend for this. At one point my mind was even thinking of buying one for this year, but my heart said "No". I followed what it said and decided to go quick. Spent only a couple of hours to get this done only yesterday, a day before the festival, Vinayaka Chavithi.

At the end, I felt happy that I did not drop this tradition of Making Ganesha by Hand. Art gives peace and happiness in any situation. So, just go with it. You will never be disappointed.

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi !
వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు!!

"Traditions once dropped can never be brought back."
- Giridhar Pottepalem

Details

Material: Natural Clay

Tools: Hands

Inspiration: HeArt

కేరాఫ్ కంచరపాలెం - ఒక గొప్ప "అనుభూతి"...

Watercolors on Paper

సినిమా అంటే ఇలానే ఉండాలి అన్న రూలేం లేదు. కానీ సినిమా ఇలా కూడా ఉంటుందా, ఇలా కూడా తియ్యొచ్చా అని ఆలోచింపజేసే సినిమా "కేరాఫ్ కంచరపాలెం".

"అనుభూతి" అన్న పదం తెలుగు సినిమా మర్చిపోయి చాలా కాలమే అయ్యింది. ఈమధ్య అడపా దడపా కొన్ని సినిమాలు వచ్చినా, అవీన్నీ పెద్ద పెద్ద నటులతోనో, పెద్ద పెద్ద డైరెక్టర్లతోనో ఇంకేవేవో కమర్షియల్ హంగులు దిద్దుకునే వచ్చాయి. కానీ "కేరాఫ్ కంచరపాలెం" మాత్రం ఇవేవీ ఇసుమంతైనా లేని, సినిమా ఫార్ములా ని తిరగరాసే సినిమాగా తెలుగులో నిలిచిపోయే "గొప్ప" సినిమా.

ఇలాంటి సినిమాలు తెలుగులో రాలేదని చెప్పలేం, వచ్చాయి, ఒకప్పుడు వస్తూ ఉండేవి, నిన్నమొన్నటి తరం డైరెక్టర్లు ఎందరో గొప్ప అనుభూతిని మిగిల్చే సినిమాలు తీశారు. కానీ ఈ సినిమా మాత్రం అన్నిటికన్నా ప్రత్యేకం. తీసుకున్న కధనం, దాన్ని తెరపైకెక్కించిన వైనం, నటీ నటులు, టెక్నీషియన్స్ ఇలా అన్నీ నిజంగానే అద్భుతం. అంతకు మించి 150 నిమిషాలపాటు ఒక ఊరిలో అన్ని పాత్రలచుట్టూ మనల్నీ పరిభ్రమింపజేస్తూ, ఆ పాత్రలతో ఆ ఊరిలో మనమూ ఒకరమైపోయేంతగా మనల్ని కట్టిపడేసి మామూలుగా మొదలై, మెల్లి మెల్లిగా ఎన్నో భావోద్వేగాలకి గురిచేస్తూ చివరికి ఒక గొప్ప అనుభూతితో మనల్ని బయటికి తీసుకురావటం ఈ సినిమా గొప్పతనం. వచ్చాకా కొన్ని రోజులవరకైనా అందులోని పాత్రలు మనల్నీ మన ఆలోచనల్నీ తమ చుట్టూనే తిప్పుకోవటం మరీ అద్భుతం.

"ఏయ్ సుందరం, నీ చొక్కా చాలా బావుంది, రాణీ రంగు నాకు చాలా ఇష్టం" లాంటి మాటలతో ఇద్దరి చిన్నపిల్లల మధ్య ప్రేమ నుంచీ, టీనేజి, మధ్య వయసూ, యాభై దగ్గరలో ప్రేమలలోని వ్యత్యాసాలనూ ఒక ఊరిలో జరిగిన నాలుగు జంటలమధ్య చూపిస్తూ మనల్ని కాసేపు ఒక్కో జంట వెంబడి నడిపిస్తూ వారితో ఆ ఊరిలోకి తీసుకెళ్ళి మనమూ వారందరితోనే ఉంటూ వారి భావోద్వేగాలు పంచుకుంటూ ఎన్నెన్నో అనుభూతులకి గురిచేస్తూ, రెండున్నర గంటల్లోనే ఒక జీవితాన్ని పూర్తిగా చూసిన అనుభూతినివ్వగలగటం ఈ సినిమా ప్రత్యేకత. ఎందరో చెప్పినట్టుగానే రెండు సార్లు చూసి, రెండు రాకాల అనుభూతుల్ని పొందటం ఈ సినిమా మరో ప్రత్యేకత. మన చుట్టూ ఉన్న మనుషులనే, మనం రోజూ చూసే లాంటి పరిసరాలనే ఈ సినిమాలో తెరపై చూస్తూ అందంగా, ఆనందంగా ఫీల్ అయ్యాక, ఒక సారి ఆలోచిస్తే మనం నిజంగానే సహజత్వాన్ని మరిచి జీవిస్తున్నామా అన్న ఆలోచనా ఈ సినిమాతో కలగక మానదు. చెప్పకనే ఎన్నో మానవ విలువల్నీ ఇందులో ఎంతో సహజంగానూ, మరెంతో గొప్పగానూ చెప్తూ చూపెట్టారు.

ఈ సినిమాకి పనిచేసిన ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ అభినందనీయులే, ప్రతి క్యారెక్టరూ ప్రశంశించదగ్గదే. డైరెక్టర్ ఆలోచనా ప్రతిభనీ, ముందుకొచ్చిన నిర్మాతనీ కొనియాడక తప్పదు. డైరెక్టర్ ఆలోచన్లని యధాతదంగా స్వేచ్ఛగా తీయనిస్తే ఇలాంటి సినిమాలు తప్పక వస్తాయి. సినిమా అనే గొప్ప కళని కొద్దిమంది కట్టడి చేస్తూ దాని దారీ తెన్నూ మార్చేసి, సినిమా గొప్పతనాన్ని కోట్లల్లో కొలిచే ఈ రోజుల్లో ఇలాంటి సినిమా వచ్చి అందరి కళ్ళూ తెరిపించటం శుభపరిణామం. కానీ ఈ పరిణామం ఎంతవరకూ నిలుస్తుందీ అన్నది వేచి చూడాలి. నిస్సంకోచంగా ఇది డైరెక్టర్ సినిమా. కానీ ఆ డైరెక్టర్ ని ఇప్పుడే కోట్ల కొద్దీ ఆఫర్లిచ్చి క్యూలు కట్టి వేలిచూపుతో సుమోలూ, రైళ్ళూ, విమానాలూ, ర్యాకెట్లూ తిప్పే హీరోల్ని పెట్టి వారికున్న ట్యాలెంట్ ని మట్టిపాలు చేయరని ఆశిద్దాం.

సినిమా చివర్లో టైటిల్స్ తోబాటు వచ్చే, ఈ సినిమా లోని క్యారెక్టర్లనే ఓ ఆర్టిస్ట్ గీసిన బొమ్మలు కూడా అద్భుతం. కళని కళ్ళతోనే కాక మనసుతోనూ చూడగలిగే కళాస్ఫూర్తి ఉంటే నిస్సంకోచంగా "కేరాఫ్ కంచరపాలెం" ఒక అద్భుతమైన కళా చిత్రం!

Details
Title: C/O Kancherapalem
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: A great Telugu Movie, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Don't limit yourself...

Portrait of Madhuri Dixit, Bollywood actress
An attempt with Ink and Watercolors on Paper

Don't limit yourself, go beyond the possibilities and explore your abilities. I knew before I started, that it is certainly not an easy portrait to get it perfect. Each person has ones own unique signature feature, catching that and getting it right is the magic of doing a perfect portrait. Madhuri Dixit has many such unique features and capturing all well is the only way to get her perfect. I think I did not succeed in getting all those in this attempt. Hoping I will get closer in my next attempt ;)

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."
- Arthur C. Clarke

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Portrait of Madhuri Dixit
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: A picture of Madhuri Dixit, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Simple yet most beautiful...

Indian woman in Saree - Ink & Watercolors on Paper

Saree is the most beautiful outfit for a woman. Woman looks womanly in this Indian traditional outfit. Slowly Indian women started to prefer western outfit for functions and parties. Those who still prefer and wear Saree on any given day are the ones who look Simple yet most Beautiful.

"You don't need really expensive clothes to look cute" - Christy Romano

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Woman in Saree
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: A picture of Singer Sunita in Saree, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Don't just make it, make it Great!

Dancing with Krishna - Oil on Canvas

Though I started this painting an year ago, I spent many hours during past few weeks to take it this far and took a pause, signed and dated. This is the first Painting that when it was still wet in paint, went on display in public, a day after I signed, and before I even posted it on my blog & social networks. Last week, it was displayed at an India classical dance event Shringara Triveni in Littleton, MA, USA which was based on the theme- Love for Krishna. This painting was so appropriate at that event which also had an Art exhibition going on by Kalakruti and students of an Art school. I had put a price-tag of "make your own offer". When people showed interest to buy, it was hard pricing my sincere efforts on this Painting. The enthusiasm this painting created at the show among viewers for Art and Dance was itself priceless for me. Few people asked for the price and many people stopped by staring at it for minutes and talking with me to know many details. One common question that I get these days at shows like this is - Do you teach Painting?. My answer so far has always been: No, I am still a learner. Who knows, what is there awaiting for me in future ;)

Indian Classical Dance has been one of few themes I chose and did a series of Paintings already. My second finished Oil Painting of Dancing Krishna (alone in the universe), created a new theme, Krishna for me for a series. This Painting fits in both the themes: Indian Classical Dance and Krishna. It was only a co-incidence that Krishna continues to dance in this series, but this time, the Love for Krishna joined and seen dancing along with his inseparable Flute and Peacock Feather. It has 4 dancers in it. Also, every painting has an unseen person in it, the Artist him-self/her-self.

Though I signed and dated it already, in coming weeks I will be giving it minor finishing touches before it goes on into a frame and finds a place to live. This is yet another Painting that makes me feel great and inspires me every single time I take a look at it. Of course, it did not happen just like that. It has many many hours of sincere efforts and dedication went into it.

"A great work is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty" - Nadia Boulanger

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Dancing with Krishna
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 36" x 24" (91.5 cm x 60 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Raj Kapoor and Nargis...

Raj Kapoor and Nargis - Watercolors on Paper

Dedicated to Javed Akthar Ji for his wonderful lyrics from the movie Silsila.

मैं और मेरी तन्हाई, अक्सर ये बातें करते हैं

तुम होती तो कैसा होता, तुम ये कहती, तुम वो कहती

तुम इस बात पे हैरां होती, तुम उस बात पे कितनी हँसती

तुम होती तो ऐसा होता, तुम होती तो वैसा होता

मैं और मेरी तन्हाई, अक्सर ये बातें करते हैं...

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet." - Plato

Happy Painting!

Details
Title:  Portrait of Love
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Raj Kapoor, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

Let your today be...

Ink and Watercolors on Paper

Let your today be an inspiration for you, tomorrow. When you open your book of past and flip through pages of days, let those touch your inner spirits and wake them up again and again. The only one who is con(si)stantly there with you and for you in this world is "yourself". Don't lose your-self...

Happy Painting!

"In the struggle between yourself and the world, second the world."

-Franz Kafka, novelist (3 Jul 1883-1924)

Details
Title:  A portrait
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Random Pictures Aishwarya Rai came across, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

From Montreal, Canada...

French Shops in Old Quebec City, Canada

It was a wonderful experience in Canada walking along the streets of Old Quebec City and Old Montreal City. Both cities are totally French filled with all French restaurants, shops and architecture. This is a quick sketch of Old Quebec French shop, done in Montreal, on a fine morning. The day started with this quick sketch, another day to go visiting Montreal Museum of Fine Arts...

Keep Painting, Keep experiencing life.

"It's a lovely experience walking around a museum by yourself." - Brad Pitt

Details
Title:  French shops
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: French culture in Old Quebec City and Old Montreal, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

From Quebec City...

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Old Quebec City, CANADA
Ink & Watercolors on Paper

It's been wonderful experience visiting all French Structures in Old Quebec City, CANADA. This is one of the beautiful sculptures in front of Fairmont Le Chanteau Frontenac that I couldn't resist doing a fast sketch in Quebec City, as a memory of my visit to this city.

Great experience and now that went into my Art...
Keep Painting, Keep experiencing...

"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."
- Camille Pissarro

Details
Title:  Fairmont Le Chanteau Frontenac
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: French Sculpture and Architecture, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper

ఎవరికోసం...

Based on a picture of Mehreen (Telugu Actress)

Ink & Watercolors on Paper

ఎవరికోసం ఈ బొమ్మలన్నీ

ఎందుకేస్తున్నానో

వేస్తూ ఎక్కడికెళుతున్నానో 

నాకే అర్ధం కాదు

కానీ వెయ్యాలి

ఏదో వేసెయ్యాలి

ఏవేవో గీసెయ్యాలి

అదే తపన

అలా రూపుదిద్దుకునేవే

ఈ పిచ్చి గీతలూ..వాటికద్దే రంగులూ

. . . .

"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get." - Dale Carnegie

Gifted this to one of my good friends Kumar, who actually wanted to buy it as a memory!
When I did this, I was wondering why I was painting at all. Thanks Kumar for the affection you showed to my Paintings, you deserve this as a gift from me! I didn't want to lose that opportunity ;)

Aslo, after hiking few hours with friends, families and kids, while I was presenting this gift right after lunch, I came to know that his birthday was coming up in 3 days. That was even better, my Painting had a purpose then as an advanced b'day gift! A moment to cherish for long time! Hope my Paintings when started had reasons, find occasions and make into new homes.

Kumar and me with the original Painting framed and gifted.

Keep yourself occupied...all the time, be with your heart. None in the world can be a better match to you other than yourself!

Happy painting!

Details
Title:  Mehreen (Telugu Actress)......
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Mehreen's picture, Passion for Arts...

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft Sketchbook, 75 lb/110 gm2 Acid-free Paper