Towards your destiny...

Dancing Feet

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

Destiny is not something that we reach by accident or by luck. It is something that we know very well about. But, what we don't know is how to reach. Efforts, efforts, efforts....that is all we need to put in for reaching it.

I have turned many of my thoughts and actions into habits by constantly doing. I always tell myself and others that once something becomes a habit, it is hard to live without it. Thought Art has been my primary hobby since my childhood, I turned it into a habit by re-starting it with sketching. Sketching for almost 2 years every single day on my commute to work on the train, and then constantly practicing every weekend for more than 6 years till date, now it is part of my life. I can't live without doing it. My weekend is not complete without it. It is now that much into me and my life!

This one is a continuation of my series of Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance. I've lost track of the running number of this series already, and cannot count on my fingers and toes anymore. It must be in twenties by now. This is my 12th finished Oil Painting and 3rd this year. If I can reach the magical number 12 by the end of this year, I would reach my goal, 1 per month on an average. That's an aggressive goal with much of time is taken by the busy life of profession, family, friends, books etc.

"Your beliefs become your thoughts.

Your thoughts become your words.

Your words become your actions.

Your actions become your habits.

Your habits become your values.

Your values become your destiny."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Happy Painting!

March forward steadily towards your destiny!!

Details

Title: Dancing Feet, Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Mediums: Oil on Stretched Canvas

Reference: A photograph from my collection

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Surface: Stretched Canvas board

Dancing Saree...

Dancing Saree
Oil on Stretched Canvas 2 Feet x 3 Feet (24" x 36"; 60 cm x 91.5 cm)
 

When you stop doing, you stop learning. So, don't stop. Keep going, going....and going...

There is an abandoned Painting underneath this painting. I Gessoed and started this over that.

This is my 11th finished Oil Painting and 2nd this year. I decided to change my signature from now on by joining brush and my name. Don't know why I did, I guess it only looks more professional now ;)

"I am still learning." - Michelangelo

Happy Painting!

Details

Title: Dancing Saree
Mediums: Oil on Stretched Canvas

Reference: A photograph from my collection

Size: 2 Feet x 3 Feet (24" x 36")

Surface: Artist's Loft Stretched Canvas board, Gesso'd to cover an abandoned sketch

Grow young...

Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance

Oil on Canvas 22" x 28" (55.8 cm x 71.1 cm)

You are born only once and you celebrate your birthday each year. But, you can be reborn and celebrate it everyday with your passion. There is a reason behind every life in nature. Everything that happens in and around your life is only supportive for that. It takes long time to find it out. Once found, live with a passion for it. Then only you will grow, and grow young...

This Oil Painting is my Gift to myself on my Birthday today. I worked hard to finish it by today. Happy to start my day by giving finishing touches to it, finished and signed.

This is my 10th finished Oil Painting, first this year. The color combination was bit challenging. I changed background colors few times and finally settled with the same prime colors of the main painting. First time on this brand of canvas, it challenged me to great extent.

"It takes a long time to become young." - Pablo Picasso

Happy Painting!
Grow young and stay young forever!!

Details

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

Inspiration: Passion for Arts, Dream for Oil Painting

Reference: A photograph from my digital collection

Size: 22" x 28" (55.8 cm x 71.1 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft, Level-2, Stretched Canvas board

Enjoy the outcome..

Oil on Canvas - work in progress

Video Credits: Bhuvan Pottepalem

Several people have been saying to me lately that it's easy for me, and I do Paintings just like that. No, that's not true. In fact, nothing is easy for me in life. There is only sheer hard work behind every result and every success of mine.

"The fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest." - Deepika Padukone

Happy Painting!
Work hard and enjoy the outcome of it!!

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

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

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

A Dream come true...

Nātyānjali - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Oil on Canvas, 22" x 28" (56 cm x 71 cm)

Oil Painting had been the longest dream of my life. It had begun in my high school with the good collection of Art books and magazines that we had access to in our School Library. Also, there were quite a few wonderful Oil Paintings seen on the walls of classrooms and dormitories in the school campus done by our then Art Teacher Sri. M. Venkateswar Rao. Once an year, we would get bookshop on the truck into our school campus and we would get class wide turns to step inside, explore and buy books of our interest. Much of the books were of Soviet Union, Moscow publications/prints with top-notch paper and some were with full of amazing Oil Paintings.

My dream of Oil Painting continued through my Engineering college-years in Vijayawada, India, wherein the college library had a good collection of foreign Art Books and Magazines exclusively on Oil Painting. I was probably one of very few Engineering Students to flip all pages of every single Art book found in that library. I even bought a Soviet publication book of Russian Artists Oil Paintings, the one and only one book I could find in a book shop which was as expensive as our Singapore edition of Computer Programming books priced in Dollars but sold in converted Indian currency. My search for Oil Painting books & magazines even went on and on along the foot-paths(side-walks) in front of Alankar Theatre in Vijayawada on Sunday evening book sales. I could hardly find any though. My search for Oil Painting Books continued in Sunday book market on the side walks in Koti, Hyderabad after I graduated and started working. There I found several small 20 page Art Magazines on Oil Painting and bought several of those.

Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad probably was the very first place where I had seen any framed original Oil Paintings the very first time in my life. I visited this museum few times when I was working in Hyderabad exclusively for Painting & Sculpture Galleries.

I still remember the day I went straight from the Railway station to and spent few hours of my time at Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery in Mysore, India when I reached Mysore about 8 hours before the scheduled pickup time for my very first job interview for Air Force, India. That is still one of my sweetest memories to recover on any given day.

My first overseas visit on my professional job to London, UK, left me with few full-weekends of unforgettable memories filled with just me staring in front of wonderful original Oil Paintings by renowned Artists fount at Tate Gallery, National Gallery and British Museum in London. The countless hours that I spent at the The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago downtown are still fresh in my heart where I used to go every Tuesday evening after office-hours to spend my time sketching & studying by sitting on the floor in front of selected paintings and sculptures. My quest for Oil Painting continued in Chicago and pushed me into an Oil Painting course at a Community College which helped me more on learning how to study Paintings of Masters rather than Oil Painting itself. I attempted few oil paintings during this course but none of them I claim that I finished.

My dream of Oil Painting continued to haunt me from time-to-time and finally in 2015 I made it come true with this very first painting that I claim as my very first-ever finished Oil Painting forever. As my dream took such a long time to come true, framing it took quite sometime and finally I think I found a perfect frame for it. It now appears in our family traditional Dining room and makes me feel proud every single day.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

Put your Heart into work and get it done which should make you feel proud of yourself when you look back!
Happy Painting!!

Details
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Title: Nātyānjali - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Category: Portraits
Inspiration: My dream wish-list and random pictures

Size: 22" x 28" (56 cm x 71 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Artist's Loft Gallery Wrapped Traditional Canvas
Paints: Rembrandt Artist's quality Oil Paints
Brushes: No 1, 5 and 8 filbert, No. 1 rounded
Other Media: Winsor & Newton Liquin Original

Conquer your-self...

Indian Classical Dance - Hands Mudra

It is not easy to get the love towards anything going for a long-time especially when it is not part of your day-to-day life. Unless you dedicate your "self" from time to time, it is very hard. You need to conquer your "self" first to be dedicated. Once you conquer your "self", you can get going to reach your goal!

"If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self." -Napoleon Hill

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Indian Classical Dance - Hands Mudra
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: Random Picture from my collection
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 12" x 18" (30.5 cm x 46 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb, Cold Press

Use the talents...

Indian Classical Dance - Hands Mudra

The most striking feature of Indian Classic Dance is the use of Mudras, meaning gestures shown by the head, hands, and legs. These gestures are mixed with dance in order to express the meaning and expressions of the background music and song lyrics.

Anybody can learn fine-arts. But one who possesses natural talent stands out. This natural talent can easily be found in Indian Classical Dance. Possessing talent is only one thing. Practicing and using the talent is more important than possessing it. Talent not used is no better than not having a talent!

It's been one of my dreams to paint several such selected Mudras in my Paintings. Though I tried one few years ago, I never finished it. I am quite happy to start this series with this very first one in this series.

"Use what talents you possess, the woods would be a very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry Van Dyke, poet (10 Nov, 1852-1933)

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Indian Classical Dance - Hands Mudra
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: Random Picture from my collection
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 12" x 18" (30.5 cm x 46 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb, Cold Press

Continue to exist...

Indian Classical Dance - Kathak
Watercolors on Paper

Attempts are never wasted. The more you attempt the better you get at it. Continue to do and put your efforts in what you are passionate about. I don't have time for it - is only a lie to yourself. If you love something, either you have time for it, or you will find time for it. Make attempts to live now and continue to exist after.

"You exists in only what you do." - Federico Fellini

Happy Painting, make efforts for your existence ;)

Details
Title: Indian Classical Dance - Kathak
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: Bhanu Priya  (Aalaapana) from my own collection
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 35.5 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb, Cold Press

Indian Classical Dance - Kuchipudi...

Indian Classical Dance - Kuchipudi

Watercolors on Paper

Happy Painting ;)

Details
Title: Indian Classical Dance - Kuchipudi
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: Bhanu Priya  (Aalaapana) from my own collection
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 35.5 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb, Cold Press

Sing through Painting...

Aalaapana - Watercolors on Paper

A hobby is en-joy-able when you sing your soul through it. After a longtime, thoroughly enjoyed doing this Portrait of Bhanupriya.

"Let your soul sing through your works." - Giridhar Pottepalem

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Aalaapana...
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: Bhanupriya from Aalaapana
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

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

Live for the love of it...

Live for the Love of your passion - Watercolors on Paper

Each day comes, much of it pre-filled with day-to-day routine stuff. We get very occupied and at the end, only feel tired. Living is not racing with time, it is living the way you want, doing things you want to do, and enjoying what you do.

Everything doesn't happen the way you like to. But you can certainly make certain things happen the way you like. If you find those things, you should continue to spend both time and effort for those. Once you do, you will not regret when you look back.

I am glad to keep alive my passion, my best-friend in my life, which will not go away from me. When I am with it, I am fully living my life, my life with it and in it!

Live for the love of your passion, and simply love it!
Happy Painting!

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it." - John Irving

Details
Title: Live for the love of it...
Reference: Shobhna's video (South Indian Actress)
Category: Nātyānjali - Indian classical dance
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

Dancing Colors...

Bharatha Natyam - Indian Classical Dance

Dance can be colorful on the stage of performing Arts. Colors can dance in the process of an Artist's Painting on the surface. Now, Painting has grown bigger than a hobby and has become part of my life. I feel incomplete if I don't paint anything on a weekend when I am home.

After finishing Ganesh Clay Sculpture well before than expected on this Saturday, I have had whole Sunday to myself. Setting an hour aside for myself to do this Painting on my busy Sunday added a bit of relaxation. The journey of my Painting goes on...

"It's the journey that matters, not the destination. Do not stop your Journey. If you stop, you miss many experiences along the way." - Giridhar Pottepalem

Details
Title: Dancing Colors
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 12" x 15" (31 cm x 38 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb Watercolor Paper Block, Cold Press

Spread Wings and Fly...

Nátyánjali-14 - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance

Watercolors on Paper

After attending two Arangetrams (on-stage debut performances) of Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi, two weekends in a row, I didn't have to think of a subject for my next Painting. I took tons of pictures for my own reference at both the events. This particular one is based on my own picture I took in New Jersey at the Arangetram of Twin Daughters, Deepa and Roopa of my good friend SuryaPrakash Irakam from my High School, Kodigenahalli, AP, India. It was a feast to eyes watching the twins performing on the stage for 3 hours perfectly in sync.

My series on Indian Classical Dance goes on with this 14th one in this series as my Tribute to this wonderful form of Art.

I did it bit differently than my previous Watercolor Paintings, tried in vibrant colors. In order to fly, one needs to spread wings. Spread your wings of skill, fly through the clouds of creativity and reach destinations of your dream!

Keep Painting, Keep the Inner-Joy flowing!

I gifted this framed Painting to my friend, Parakash when he stopped by to visit me. He was so happy to have it. I liked the care he showed when he was placing it in his Car, he was worried that it could get damaged while driving. I am happy, my painting found a new home, the home of one of my childhood best friends, a gift to his twin daughters who are so talented and are inspiration for this painting, also are there in this painting...

Details
Title: Nātyānjali-14 - Indian Classical Dance
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Arangetram by Twin Daughters Deepa and Roopa of my Friend, Passion for Arts...

Size: 12" x 15" (31 cm x 38 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb Watercolor Paper Block, Cold Press

Use your ability...

Nātyānjali-13 - Indian Classical Dance - GIFTED
Watercolors on Paper

My Nātyānjali goes on with this Watercolor Painting which is 13th in this series. Though it is not as big as previous ones on this subject, I am quite happy with the result. The best way to expertise anything is - practice. Natural abilities only help to some extent in getting there. But it is the sheer practice that takes you there.

"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it!" - Charlotte Whitton

Details
Title: Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance
Mediums: Ink Pen & Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Micron 01 Ink Pen, Brush and Watercolors
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft 140 lb / 300 g/m2 Acid Free, Cold Press watercolor paper

Don't get lost...

Indian Classical Dance - A classic Mudra (Gesture)

This is a quick watercolor painting done with just one color: black, not the actual black but a substitute for black called Neutral Tint that many Watercolor Artists use. When I don't know what painting to start, but wanted to do something, my first choice always is: Indian Classical Dance.

A weekend day comes and goes faster than a weekday. Weekend gives an opportunity to spend time with ones own soul. Be with it for sometime by doing something you have passion for. Simply, don't get lost in hectic life!

"The purpose of Art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." - Pablo Picasso

Details
Title: Indian Classical dance - A classic Mudra
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Watercolors from my Palette
Inspiration: Practice & Passion for Arts...

Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Artist's Loft 140 lb / 300 g/m2 Acid Free, Cold Press watercolor paper

Happiness is a state of mind...

Radha Krishna - A sketch with Ink and watercolors

With an intention to come back to Oil Painting, I chose "Dancing Krishna" as a theme for a series of Paintings. I did a painting of Lord Krishna about two years ago which was my second Oil Painting. It's just a coincidence that Krishna was dancing in that Painting too, but he was dancing alone.

This is a quick sketch of exploration and experimentation on Paper with the composition. Sketching is a way to experiment with the composition for a Painting.

I am happy with the outcome and now it will go onto the canvas to become my third Oil Painting.

I always sign on right-bottom-side of the Painting. This is probably the only Painting I signed on the "Left-side" instead. Yes, it left the right side!

"Happiness is a state of mind and has

nothing to do with the external world."

- Lord Krishna

Keep Painting and Keep your soul Happy ;)

Details
Title: Dancing Radha and Krishna
Mediums: Ink Pen and Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Sakura Pigma Micron Pen 005, Watercolors from my Palette
Inspiration: Self Motivation and Passion for Arts, సాధన...

Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (21.5 cm x 28 cm)

Surface: Acid free Paper

Your Passion is your Best Companion...

Indian Classical Dance - A Sketch

Life always takes turns. Just because it took a turn, don't lose your focus and direction. Turn every life-turn into an opportunity and keep going. After all, nobody travels with you in your life-journey. Your passion is your best companion!

Keep Painting and Happy Painting!!

Details

Mediums: Ink Pen and Watercolors on Paper
Tools: Sakura Pigma Micron Pen 005 & 03, Watercolors from my Palette
Reference: Random Pictures from my Collection
Inspiration: Self Motivation and Passion for Arts, సాధన...

Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (21.5 cm x 28 cm)

Surface: Acid free Paper