బామ్మ...

బామ్మ (1993, దామరమడుగు)  

 

"అయ్యా...నాకేమైన ఉత్తరం వచ్చిందా?"

అటుగా వెళ్తున్న పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్ ని చూసి వాకిట్లో మెట్లపైన కూచుని, రోజూ ఆ సమయానికి అటు వస్తూ పోతూ ఉండే పిల్లా పెద్దని పరికిస్తూ, ప్రశ్నిస్తూ ఉండే  బామ్మ ప్రశ్న.

"లేదు బామ్మా" అంటూ చేతిలో ఉత్తరాల కట్ట సర్దుకుంటూ వెళ్లిపోయిన పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్.

మరుసటిరోజూ అదేవేళకి మళ్ళీ వాకిట్లో బామ్మ. ఇల్లు దాటి ముందుకి పోబోతున్న పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్ ని ఆపి  మళ్ళీ ప్రశ్న.

"అయ్యా...మా అబ్బాయి గిరి లండన్ లో ఉన్నాడు, నాకేమైనా జాబు రాశాడా?"

"అబ్బా....ఈమెకి లండన్ నుంచి రావాలయ్యా ఉత్తరం...ఏం లేవు పో బామ్మా." ఈసారి ఆ సమాధానంలో కొంచెం విసుగూ, వెటకారం.

ఆ మరుసటిరోజు...అదేవేళకి...ఈసారి బామ్మ వాకిట్లో కూచుని లేదు, ఇంట్లో లోపల ఏదో పనిలో ఉండగా మెట్లెక్కి, వరండా దాటి లోపలికొచ్చి, తలుపు దగ్గర నిలబడి, "బామ్మా..." అన్న పిలుపు.

ఆ పిలుపు పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్ దే.

పిలిచిన కాసేపటికి నిదానంగా "ఏయ్యా" అంటూ కళ్ళజోడు సరిజేసుకుంటూ వచ్చిన బామ్మతో పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్...

"ఇదుగో బామ్మా, నీకు ఉత్తరం వచ్చింది, ఆ...లండన్ నుంచే బామ్మా, నీ గిరి దగ్గరి నుంచే" అంటూ చేతిలో ఉత్తరం పెట్టిన పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్ తో...

"నేంజెప్పలా...మా గిరి లండన్ లో ఉండాడని...నీకంతా ఎకసెకం నేనంటే." అంటూ ఉత్తరం తీసుకున్న బామ్మ.

"లేదులే బామ్మా" అంటూ ఉత్తరాల కట్ట సర్దుకుంటూ మెట్లు దిగి వెళుతున్న పోస్ట్ మ్యాన్...

ఆ క్షణం అక్కడలేకున్నా ఆ "బామ్మ" పసిమనసెంత ఆనందంతో నిండిపోయి ఉబ్బితబ్బిబ్బయ్యి ఉంటుందో ఆ బామ్మ ప్రేమని పొందిన ఆమె ముద్దుల మనవడు "గిరి" ఊహించగలడు.

తొమ్మిదేళ్ళ వయసు లో 5 వ క్లాస్ నుంచీ హాస్టల్స్ లోనే ఉంటూ గిరి చదువంతా ఇంటికి దూరంగానే సాగింది. చదువయ్యాక జాబు కోసం హైదరాబాదు ప్రయాణం. మూడు నెలల్లోనే మొదటి జాబు, మళ్ళీ కొత్త జాబు బొంబాయి లో, అట్నుంచి అటే జాబు పని మీద 3 నెలలు లండన్ పయనం. "అప్పుడప్పుడూ దామరమడుగులో బామ్మ కి ఉత్తరం రాస్తుండు" అని 5 వ క్లాస్ లో నాన్న రాసిన ఉత్తరాల్లో ని మాటలు చదువు ముగిసి జాబ్ లో చేరినా తూ...చ...తప్పకుండా పాటిస్తూ వచ్చిన గిరి.

ఆ "బామ్మ" ముద్దుల మనవడు "గిరి" ని నేనే. నన్ను ప్రాణంకన్నా ఎక్కువగా ప్రేమించి, తన జీవితం అంతా మాకోసమే మాతోనే ఉండి, నేను దగ్గరలేకుండానే కనుమూసి మా నాన్నను చేరుకుంది "నా బామ్మ"!

నేను పూర్తిగా తెలుగులో తన కళ్ళకి కట్టినట్టు లండన్ వైభవాలూ, విశేషాలూ వివరిస్తూ రాసిన ఆ ఉత్త్రరం ని, పాతదై, ముందూ వెనుకా చాలా పేజీలు పోయి, ఒక్కొక్క పేజీ చిరిగిపోతూ వస్తున్న తన మహాభారతం పుస్తకంలో మా దామరమడుగు ఇంట్లో రేడియో టెబుల్ డ్రాయర్ లో పెట్టుకుని అప్పుడప్పుడూ చదువుకుంటూనే ఉండేది "బామ్మ".

బామ్మకి తెలుగు చదవటం రాయటం బాగా వచ్చు, నిదానంగా అక్షరాలు తప్పుల్లేకుండా గుండ్రంగా రాసేది.. రామాయణం, మహాభారతం వంటి పెద్ద ఇంతింత లావు పుస్తకాలు ఉండేవి. ఇంగ్లీష్ లో P.R.C అన్న మూడు అక్షరాల్ని మాత్రమే చదవగలదు. మరే అక్షరమూ గుర్తుపట్టటం రాదు, నేర్చుకోలేక కాదు. ఈ లోకంలోనే తనకి అత్యంత ఇష్టమైన మా నాన్న "పి.రామచంద్రయ్య" తన షార్ట్ నేమ్ రాస్తే P.R.C అనే రాసేవాడు. ఆ మూడు ఇంగ్లిష్ అక్షరాల్నే బామ్మ ఇష్టపడింది.

నేటికి సరిగ్గా 26 సంవత్సరాల క్రితం నా మొదటి విదేశీయానం. ఆగస్ట్ 15, 1994, బోంబే టు లండన్.

"బామ్మ" ని గుర్తుచేసుకుంటూ...

నిండా కన్నీళ్ళు నిండిన కళ్లతో...

మళ్ళీ చాలా సంవత్సరాల తర్వాత...

"బామ్మ" కి ప్రేమతో...

- నీ "గోవర్ధన" గిరి

బామ్మతో నేనూ, అన్న (1993, కావలి)

London, 1994

London, 1994

నవ్వుల పువ్వుల వెన్నెల...

Portrait of Chi. Karronya Katrynn 

Watercolors on Paper (12" x 16")

నవ్వుల పువ్వుల వెన్నెలా...

వెన్నెల నవ్వుల పువ్వులా...

పువ్వుల వెన్నెల నవ్వులా...

ఈ "చిన్నారి" కి "పుట్టినరోజు శుభాకాంక్షలు"!

Happy Birthday Chi. Karronya!

I believe this painting unquestionably moved me one step up in both Watercolor painting and Portrait painting. It was very challenging to capture the beautiful smile of Chi. Karronya as beautiful as it was.

I am extremely happy with my efforts. Of course, best efforts give best results. I always used to say 'my best is yet to come`. I can now proudly say, "one of my best has come".

Happy Painting! Happy Memories!!

"Be at your best, beat your best."

- Giri Pottepalem

Details 
Title: నవ్వుల పువ్వుల వెన్నెల...

Inspiration: Talented Dancer & Telugu Actress Karronya Katrynn
Mediums: Watercolors
Size: 12" x 16" (30.5 cm x 40.5 cm)

Surface: Fabriano extra-white Watercolor Paper, Cold Press, 140 LB

Day 10 of 10 - The Divinity of Art...

"The Divinity of Art"
Raynolds Ballpoint pen on Paper (8" x 10")   

"Divine" in Art is quite common, and goes back all the way to the oldest art-age of humans discovered till date. Every Artist at some time or other touches "divinity" in his/her own art work. The word "Divine" I am using here has got nothing to do with a religion or belief. It's rather a force, a force of faith or trust. The faith of an Artist that goes into Art is what that makes it "Divine" and "Special". Of course, Art itself is a "divine ability of creativity", neither given to all nor given equally to those given to.

Back to 1992...

I consider this drawing as Divine Art of all my Art works. It has been divine for me because it was reproduced based on my Dad's Sita-Rama drawing. With minor changes, I made it to look like Radha-Krishna. Again, nothing to do with religion for my use of the word "Divine" here for this Art work.

I grew up looking at an amazingly beautiful Indian Ink drawing of "Rama and Sita" by my Dad done before even I was born, when he was doing his Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in "Vijaya Teachers College, Bangalore". It was done for his college magazine's cover page. The framed original Indian Ink drawing was placed in the holy Pooja room at our newly built home in my village "Damaramadugu", Nellore, India. So, it got a special holy stature by the place it was put in with all the divine energies around it. I always wanted to draw that but wasn't dared enough to try it out until 1992.

Just the thought of reproducing my Dad's drawing itself was "Divine" for me. The kind of very soft, and divinely flowing lines, each line done with utmost divine skill & care was pushing me away from the thought of reproducing it for a longtime. But, I think, the day when I did it, on my stay at our home in Kavali, after I recovered from a viral infection sickness I went through, some "divine force" finally drove me with my attempt to finally make it.

I did this with the powerful tool at that time I had in my art tool-kit, "Raynolds" Ballpoint pen. I was a big fan of that ballpoint pen for it's unique quality of sharp, consistent & smooth flow of ink flowing through the rolling ball, simple & cute design, good quality material, and the perfect hand-grip that brand offered when it came out in Indian market. It was little bit expensive but was affordable for anyone. That was the finest of the finest ballpoint pens of that time.

I finished this drawing in one sitting. I can't imagine myself doing that now. All kinds of faith I had put into my sincere attempt, and all kinds of respect I had for my Dad's original drawing, had granted me the "divine force" to do this. I could feel all the divinity at that time while I was doing it. Now, when I think through it, I can rediscover all that divinity in it.

I firmly believe that Art is a gift in my life. It was the gift that God had given to my Dad, and my Dad passed it on to me. By using it, I feel that I am only continuing what his life-span did not permit him to do. It is with great respects for my Dad, I carry his soul with my soul in my Art.

Every piece of my Art has a piece of my heart in it.

~ ~ ~ ~ *** ~ ~ ~ ~

When I accepted the challenge on Facebook, I felt like posting my initial paintings done during my exploration of painting world that were never-seen-on-facebook. As I started to look back by selecting, a painting a day, my (he)art started letting the memories of each come out into my writings. I certainly enjoyed doing this series, which I don't think I can ever repeat. I'd say more than I did it, I felt it and enjoyed it. Feeling and enjoying is more important than doing anything.

When I look back into my Art, there were all kinds of feelings including several instances of frustrations, many joyful, some sadful, few proudful, a bit laughful, and even tearful moments. But, one thing that kept me going was my passion.

Keep your passion alive, and it gives you a life truly fulfilled, and fully-filled!

Thanks to all who read my heart and shared their invaluable feelings with me by all means!

Happy Father's Day!

"సీతారాములు - బంగరు జింక" - by నాన్న (P.Ramachandraiah)
1953, దామరమడుగు, నెల్లూరు

నాన్న - నాకు తెలిసిన మొట్టమొదటి ఆర్టిస్ట్

ఊహతెలిశాక నాన్న వేసిన కొద్ది బొమ్మలు దగ్గరగా చూసే అదృష్టం ఒకటిరెండుసార్లు మాత్రమే కలిగినా, అందంగా బ్లూ, రెడ్ ఇంక్ తో నాన్న రాసుకున్న టీచింగ్ నోట్స్, మా రెండు మూడు తరగతుల క్లాస్ పుస్తకాలపై అందంగా నాన్న రాసిన మా పేర్లు, నన్ను ఐదవ తరగతి లో రెసిడెన్షియల్  స్కూల్ కి పంపుతూ సర్దిన డార్క్ బ్రౌన్ లెదర్ సూట్కేస్ లోపల బ్రౌన్ లైనింగ్ క్లాత్ పై నల్లని ఇంక్ తో ఎంతో అందంగా రాసిన నా అడ్రస్ P.Giridhar, 4-12-14, Old Town, Kavali, Nellore Dist. PIN- 524 201, A.P., తర్వాత ఒక యేడాది పాటు వారం వారం క్రమం తప్పకుండా నాకు రాసిన ఉత్తరాలు ఇవే నాకు మిగిలిన అందమైన నాన్న జ్ఞాపకాలు.

"దామరమడుగు" - నెల్లూరు కి దగ్గర్లో, చుట్టూ పచ్చని వరి పొలాల్తో, అప్పట్లోనే ఆధునిక కమ్యూనిస్ట్ భావాల్తో కళకళలాడే మాడ్రన్ రిచ్ అందమైన పల్లెటూరు. అక్కడున్న రెండేళ్ళలో ఆడుతూ పాడుతూ గడిపిన బాల్యం. నాన్న పుట్టిపెరిగిన రెండంతస్తుల మిద్దింట్లో పైన పెద్ద గదిలో నున్నని సున్నపు గోడపై రెండు శ్రీరాముని పెయింటింగ్స్. ఒకటి బంగారు జింక ని చూపిస్తూ పట్టితెమ్మని అడుగుతున్న సీత పక్కన రాముడూ ఎదురుగా బంగరుజింక.  ఇంకొకటేమో పక్కనే కిరీటం పెట్టుకుని, బాణం పట్టుకుని నిలబడ్డ శ్రీరాముడు.

ఆ రెండేళ్ళలో మిద్దెపై ఆడుతూ పాడుతూ గడిపిన రోజుల్లో నాన్న చిన్నప్పుడు అంత అందని అందమైన పెయింటింగ్స్ వేశాడు అని తప్ప ఆ బొమ్మల గురించి నాన్నని అడిగి తెలుసుకోవాలి అన్న ఊహ కూడా ఇంకా రాని వయసు. తెలుసుకోవాలన్న ఊహా, వయసూ, కుతూహలం కలిగేసరికి పక్కన లేని నాన్న. బహుశా నాన్న హైస్కూల్ చదివేరోజుల్లో వేసినవి అని, కింద P.Ramachandraiah, 1953 అని ఉన్న సంతకం, అప్పుడు నాన్నకి పదీ పదకొండేళ్ళ వయసు. ఏ రంగుల్తో వేశాడు, ఎలా అంత ఎత్తున వేశాడూ తెలుసుకోవాలన్న కోరిక ఎప్పటికీ కోరికగానే మిగిలిపోయింది. ఏ బల్లపైనో, కుర్చీపైనో ఎక్కి వేస్తే తప్ప అంత ఎత్తున గోడపై అంత పెద్ద సైజ్ లో పెయింటింగ్స్ సాధ్యం కావు.

తర్వాత చాలాకాలం ఆ గోడకి సున్నం వేసినప్పుడల్లా ఆ పెయింటింగ్స్ మాత్రం టచ్ చెయ్యకుండా వదలిన నాన్న చిన్న తమ్ముడు మా "సుధబాబు" (సుధాకర్ పొట్టేపాళెం), నేను పెరిగి పద్దయ్యి ఒకసారి నా కెమెరాతో ఊరెళ్తే "గిరీ ఇంతకాలం కాపాడుకుంటూ వచ్చాను, ఇల్లు రీమోడలింగ్ చెయ్యిస్తే గోడ తీసేయాల్సి రావచ్చు, ఫొటో తీసి పెట్టుకో గుర్తుగా ఉంటుంది ఎప్పటికీ" అంటే ఫొటోలు తీసి పెట్టుకున్నాను. ఇప్పుడా ఇల్లు రూపురేఖలు మారిపోయాయి, ఆగోడా లేదు. మిగిలింది ఆ ఫొటోలే. 

బాల్యం మిగిల్చిన జ్ఞాపకాలు  ఎంతో మధురం.

ఆ జ్ఞాపకాల్లో నాన్న బొమ్మలు ఇంకెంతో అపురూపం.

నాన్న ద్వారా బొమ్మల హాబీ నాకు కలిగిన అదృష్టం.

ఆ హాబీ కొనసాగిస్తున్నానన్న భావన సంతృప్తికరం.

నేనేసిన ఒక్కచిన్నబొమ్మైనా నాన్న చూడలేదన్న బాధ ఎంతున్నా, నా బొమ్మల్లో నాన్నని చూసుకుంటూ ఆ స్మృతుల్లో ముందుకి కదిలే కాలం... ఈ ఫాదర్స్ డే నాడు నాన్ననీ, నాన్న వేసిన బొమ్మల్నీ గుర్తుచేసుకుంటూ...

Happy Father's Day!

Carry the heritage you inherited from your Father!!

Happy Birthday Bhuvan...

Happy Birthday Dear Bhuvan!
Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

Happy Birthday to my Dear Bhuvan!

A gift coming through the heart is a gift that touches the heart. My Art is my heart, and when it comes out from it, it touches two hearts...

"The most important mark I will leave on this world is my son." - Sarah Shahi

Happy Painting!
Happy Memories!!

Details
Occasion: Bhuvan's Birthday
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

Dedicated with Love...

Dancing Krishna - Oil On Canvas (Framed)

Few years ago, a professional quality Oil Painting was just an impossibility for me. Now, this framed Oil Painting of Dancing Krishna makes me feel proud as it found it's new home, my own brother, Sridhar's home in Nellore, India.

When my brother expressed interest to have one of my Oil Paintings at his home, the only finished Painting I had was this and I promised I would give it to him. I am so happy that I made efforts and took this along with me on my recent trip to India. This is in fact, my second finished Oil Painting. The first one recently secured it's place on a wall at my own home in Sharon, MA, US.

Indian Classical dance has been the subject that I did more Paintings on than any other. Lord Krishna, also known by my name Giridhar has been my childhood hero in many stories told by my Grandma (Baamma) who was also a devotee of Lord Krishna. When I got my first job and started earning, I asked my Baamma what was one thing that she would like to get from me. All she asked for was an Idol of Lord Krishna. I didn't fulfill her wish. The sweetest person in my life, my Baamma who was the very first person in my life to notice me drawing a crow with a chalk on the floor at the age of 2 years, and used to recollect with me that first drawing of mine whenever she saw me drawing in my teenage, is physically no more with us. She is living in our Hearts with us.

This Painting is now living in the Living Room at my brother's home in Nellore. Also, there are many souls of the past, the present and the future living in it.

* * * *

With Baamma and Anna (1993)

Dear Baamma,
I couldn't buy you an Idol of Krishna you had asked for. But, I dedicate this Painting of Lord Krishna to you, done by your Govardhan Giri, with all the love and respects from the bottom of my heart & tears in my eyes for all you did for us, and your life you dedicated to us for giving us a better future. The future became present and now you are not there with us in it. We now live in it, with many comforts that are nothing but direct results of your life dedicated to us and sacrifices you made  for us.
Miss you so much!
With Love
Govardhan Giri

At the Framing Shop next to Narthaki Theatre in Nellore.
Interestingly it was surrounded by framed Hindu Gods' pictures.
Also, dramatically captured my image reflection in the mirror,
taking a picture with my phone.

I got it framed in Nellore, India, my native place. A very talented boy who was framing pictures in just a matter of minutes by sitting on the floor with hardly any tools, did a fantastic job by making a museum-quality-frame for this Painting. It costed a fraction of money that I usually spend in US for a similar quality of material and Craftsmanship. India has no shortage of talent in any field in any given era of times.

"The dedicated life is worth living. You must give with your whole heart" - Annie Dillard

Happy Birthday Bhuvan...

Portrait of my son - Bhuvan
Watercolors on Paper

This portrait of Bhuvan took my confidence level with Portraits to new heights. Never felt this happy in recent years with any of my Art works.

Born on the same day as my favorite Telugu Artist Sri. Bapu, he always makes me feel happy. He inherited my Art skill that I had inherited from my Dad. Hope he develops a passion for this skill and continues the legacy in the 3rd generation of our family!

"Someday when the pages of my life end, I know that you will be one of it's most beautiful chapters." - Unknown

Happy Birthday Bhuvan!
Love you!!

Details
Title: Portrait of my son, Bhuvan...
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Strathmore 400 Series, 140lb Watercolor Paper, Cold Press

My Dad from my (He)Art...

My Dad from my (He)Art
Watercolors on Paper

The only question God can never answer for me: Why did you take my Dad from us that early?

You could only take my Dad from my life but not from my Heart. Just those couple of years that you had let me observe my Dad closely in my childhood are enough for me to follow him and carry with me, some of his very fine-skills that the world couldn't see. As long as I live, he lives with me in my Heart and in my Art.

Remembering my Dad, who is the first person I admire most in my life, ever and forever!
Happy Father's Day!

Details
Title: My Dad from my Heart
Mediums: Ink Pen and Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Sakura Pigma Micron Pen 01, Watercolors from my Palette
Inspiration: Father's Day, Passion for Arts...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Bienfang Watercolor Paper

Happy Mother's Day...

Self with Mom - Watercolors on Paper

ఎంత మహా ఘనుడైనా

అమ్మ ఒడీ పసివాడే...

Being away from my Mom almost all through my life, what else can be a better way for me to celebrate Mother's day than doing a portrait of "Self with Mom". This is based on a picture taken with my family when I was 1 year old. I just took out my-self and my Mom from it into this painting.

If at all there is anything I owe to anybody in this life, it's to my Mom & my Baamma. They are the two people who sacrificed everything that they could, without both of them I wouldn't be what I am today. Mom's Love is the only love that's pure!

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln

Happy Mother's Day! Happy Painting!!

Details
Title: Self with Mom
Mediums: Ink Pen and Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Sakura Pigma Micron Pen 01, Watercolors from my Palette
Inspiration: Mother's Day, Self Motivation and Passion for Arts, సాధన...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Bienfang Watercolor Paper

My Dad - My Hero...

My Dad - My Hero

It was my dream in my childhood to draw pictures like my Dad and to have a printed handwriting like his. I grew up observing couple of his drawings neatly framed, hanging on the walls of our new house that he designed and built as his dream house in our village. Also, I used to observe his handwriting so closely at times when I was learning how to write with hands. At that age, unknowingly, the dreams I used to have- "I wanted to be like my Dad", are still my dreams of today.

As his Son, he definitely would have had dreams of seeing me in many things that he never got an opportunity to be in his short-life. I was not even of that age to know about what his dreams were, what he wanted me to be and what he wanted to see in me as a grown up. All I know by hearing from other people was- He was a great person with many modern-human-thoughts about the society, a great Teacher helping poor students, a great Artist who didn't have enough life to fulfill his dreams. My Mom still says that he used to say, "A Dad should be like a Teacher to his kids when they are young and a Friend to them when they are grown ups".

The time I spent with my Dad in my dreams is even longer than the time I really spent with him in my life. I was very unfortunate to miss him from my life in my childhood. I only have a couple of years of my early-childhood-memories with him to cherish rest my life. I missed him being my Teacher and Friend in my life.

He was my "First Guru" who planted the "Seed of Art" in me. I feel, growing that seed of Art he planted in my heart with his Arts, is the way of respecting him. I never had any proud moment with him in my life seeing any of my successes in his eyes.

If at all there is another life, I wish my Dad will be my Dad in that life and be my Teacher and Friend for his full-life.

With all great respects, I remember "My Dad" - My Hero, in this Painting from my heart through the  passion he planted in me and the skill he passed on to me, on this "Father's Day".

Happy Father's Day!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Dad
Category: Portraits
Inspiration: My Dad and his loving memories I cherish in my life

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press,

Paints: All colors form my Palette

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3, 5 and RAPHEL Pure Squirrel Mop Brush (N0. 8)

What dreams may (be)come true...

A tribute to my Dad

A tribute to my Dad...

Lord Rama and Sita by my Dad

I grew up observing closely my Dad's wonderful Indian Ink Drawing of Lord Rama and Sita. This is the drawing that I stared at most in my life.

Later I tried the same with Ballpoint pen and changed it to Radha and Krishna. Doing a full-blown Painting of the same has been in my dream list for a very long time. I finally attempted to make my dreams (be)come true...

Going BIG...

I never tried this big size Painting. Very first time, I tried 22" x 30" (56 cm x 76 cm) watercolor painting. That is big for a painting like this in watercolor. I spent many hours and in fact probably the longest time of all in recent years. Though I started this last week, I struggled today along the way to get it done. More than anything, my struggle was with both faces to get that pleasant look, as close to as pleasant they look in my Dad's work...I know, I couldn't quite get there for obvious reasons :(

At least, I am happy I made a bold attempt. If I had waited further, the time would never have come!

This is my TRIBUTE in many respects...

Never give up with the God's given gift in life. That is the only way to pay respect to God.

Happy Painting!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Radha & Krishna
Category: Random portraits - Admirers
Inspiration: My Dad's Drawing

Size: 22" x 30" (56 cm x 76 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Saunders Rough High White Watercolor paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: Every single color from my Palette

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Portrait of my Son - Bhuvan...భువనగిరి

Portrait of Bhuvan

Portraits are my favorite painting subjects. This portrait of my Son, Bhuvan is based on a picture that he took in his recent visit to India with a baby goat that was born on that day. I enjoyed doing his portrait as much as he enjoyed holding the baby goat on his shoulder ;)

I think this is one of my best. Those who have seen Bhuvan can find the accurate details of his features and feelings in this painting.

Enjoy the joy of Painting ;)

Materials 

Title: BhuvanaGiri (భువనగిరి)
Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Holbein Artist Watercolor (HWC) Lavender, Winsor & Newton Vandyke Brown, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Orange, Cobalt Turquoise Light and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

The Journey through a Colorful Day in Life...

Fall Foliage

Living in New England area, we experience colorful fall around this time of the year. If we drive up, North of Boston to New Hampshire, Vermont or even Maine, all the places look even more colorful with dramatic changing of colors.

Though we have been planning to go North to see fall colors for many years, it's only this year we could make it. I am glad we could do it!

Drive to White Mountains

Drive to White Mountains

Drive to White Mountains

Drive to White Mountains

Drive to White Mountains

It was such a beautiful sunny Sunday after a couple of rainy days. The temperatures warmed up little bit into 60s. We started to drive early in the morning and reached White mountains area by 10am. The  fresh morning sunlight enriched colors and the nature looked more crisp than ever to me. It was such a colorful pleasure driving through not-that-busy roads on a calm Sunday morning with beautiful and colorful sceneries all around.

Cathedral Ledge

Cathedral Ledge

Cathedral Ledge

Cathedral Ledge

Cathedral Ledge

We stopped at the North Conway Information Center to get some information about interesting places around. It was a beautiful town. We drove to the Cathedral Ledge and walked through the beautiful woods up to the mount cliff. The views of valleys from there were just beautiful.

Diana's Bath

Diana's Bath

Diana's Bath

We also went to Diana's Bath and it was such a calm and beautiful waterfalls through rocks. There I could see the best Artist in the world at work- the Nature, painting fall colors in water through the reflection of light.

It was an easy walk in the woods, on the rocks at the water falls and it was a very cool spot, not to be missed.

Road to the Sky

As it says "Road to the Sky"- was a scary drive up to the Mount Washington Summit.

At the bottom of the Mount Washington, the wide area surrounded by mountains was full of fall colors. It was such a beautiful treat to anybody's eyes!

White Mountains

White Mountains

White Mountains

White Mountains

There were two options to go up to the summit: guided tour, and drive-your-own-car. We didn't hesitate to go for drive-your-own-car, up to the summit. We just went for it. That was the most deadliest and scariest drive I ever had experienced. The Road to the Summit was just a two-car, two-way road with barely any space left on both sides with cars going in both the directions, up and down the mountain. The mountain side of the road had a car-tire-wide naturally formed ditches and rocks. The other side mostly had just deep slopes.

Lower half of the way up, driving was ok except the feeling of driving at the heights, as mostly the slopes were covered with trees. The higher half of the drive was the most scary drive with just deep slopes inches away from the road. There was a gravel road for about a mile and it was the deadliest of all. Driving down the mountain was as scary as driving up the mountain.

White Mountains

Mount Washington Summit

Though very scary and deadly, it was a thrilling experience at the end. If I ever have to drive up to the summit again, I will simply opt out ;)

I brought home with me, many memories and many pictures taken all over the places; hoping to turn some into beautiful paintings.

Typically, a day with 7 hours of driving ends very tiring. But, this colorful day was certainly untiring, memorable and beautiful.

Life is a blank canvas. One should try to paint as many colorful days as possible on it.

Happy colorful days of life ;)

Portrait of my Niece...

Portrait of my Niece

It's been a long time since I did a Portrait of one of my family members. This time, the lucky person is my Sister's daughter :)

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Canson Aquarelle Artist Watercolor Paper, 140 lb, Cold press
Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)

Paints: Winsor & Newton - Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Violet, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Opera Rose, Permanent Sap Green and Neutral Tint.

Brushes: Da Vinci 8, 3 and 2 round Sable