Creativity has no absence...

Nátyánjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Watercolors on Paper (12" x 16")   

There is no absence if you have presence of your creativity. Artists never get bored and creativity never gets tired, I keep saying that to everyone. When there is no presence of oneself in time, one gets bored and be absent from it. So, just have a presence in your time and you live in it, not others.

Happy Painting!
Happy Presence of Yourself!!

“There is never a lack of subject matter; just absence of creativity.” ~Lee Hammond

Details
Title: Nátyánjali - my tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Mediums: Saunders Extra White Watercolor Paper
Size: 12" x 16" (31 cm x 41 cm)

Surface: Saunders Extra-white Watercolor paper 140 lb/300 gsm2

Face (of) the Future...

"తెలుగమ్మాయి"
Watercolors on Paper (9" x 12")    

Today is tomorrow's yesterday. But, that yesterday can meet tomorrow again today by our actions. What we do today impacts and influences tomorrow. So, live today fully. When today becomes yesterday, don't leave yourself in there. Meet yourself again in your future with your past!

As I always learn from my own works and mistakes, this painting taught me many things. The initial pencil sketch came out so good with no eraser used. But it looked odd and bit small on the size of the paper I chose. With no other thought, I had to erase and redo a bigger sketch. I wasn't happy with this sketch as I was with the one I erased, but decided to start painting and fix it along the way.

The reference picture I chose looked just cute. But, an Artist eyes see something that ordinary eyes don't. My eyes saw the charming smile and innocent looks. I just wanted to capture those two beautiful features as my eyes saw. I was quite happy with my efforts. With my never-give-up efforts, this goes into the list of my favorite paintings.

Now, when I look at this painting on any day, I meet myself in the past. When a very satisfied past meets the future, it makes it happy. My past not only meets my future, but makes it happy!

"One faces the future with one's past." - Pearl S. Buck

Happy Painting!
Influence your tomorrow, today!!

Details
Title: తెలుగమ్మాయి
Reference: Niharika - Telugu Actress
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Size: 9" x 12" (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

Surface: Canson Cold Press Watercolor Paper, 140 lb/300 gm2

Draw into Painting...

Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

Drawing is essential to become an Artist or a Painter. It's my opinion that painting is nothing but drawing with brush. One who can draw can paint as well. Unlike pencil or pen used for drawing, brush gives wider, greater and multi-dimensional flexibility.

A successful painter is the one who knows how to use all dimensions offered by the brush. So, first draw, draw until you become good at it, then draw yourself into painting. Painting is certainly challenging, but drawing eases those challenges. I think, I found an intermediate ground where in I blend drawing into painting and painting into drawing, both done with brush on paper where I get to meet challenges offered by both and deal with those.

“Drawing is absolutely essential to becoming a successful artist.” - Mary Whyte

Happy Drawing! Happy Painting!!

Details
Inspiration and Credits: Amrapali Boutique
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

Be Graceful and Beautiful...

Nátyánjali - my tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

Talent is born with you and stays hidden within you, until you identify and put-in efforts to bring it out. Identifying and bringing it out is enough to be talented, but not enough to stay talented. Practice makes you stay there. Those who practice their talent become and stay talented.

So, first identify your talent, then practice to become and stay talented!!

This is a very classic pose in Indian Classical Dance. I made minor changes from the reference picture I took to make it look more like my favorite dancer, who was so delicate, graceful and beautiful by all means in dance. People who know me enough, know very well who that dancer is ;)

Also, this is one of my favorite paintings in recent months. I got what I wanted, 100% in this painting. My initial base pencil sketch went through several erases while progressing towards "Grace and Beauty" that I was aiming for. But keeping up with what I got in pencil-sketch all through the next painting stage was a BIG challenge. The supportive vertical black split-lines I added enhanced it further. But, I spoiled it at one point by adding a drop of orange color to the mix. Like life, painting is a process that takes you through ups and downs. At the end what matters is, how we arise from a downfall and get going towards our goal. I was happy with what I did with colors further to turn what I thought I spoiled into improved.

Best Compliment
One of the best compliments I got in recent years was from an Artist friend on Facebook. His words made my day! He read my heart in this Painting. Click to read his compliment.

Happy painting! Turn down side up!!

"Be graceful and beautiful in what you do, than in what you say." - Giridhar Pottepalem

Details
Title: Nátyánjali - my tribute to Indian Classical Dance
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

Ahead...

Ahead...

Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

It's better to find yourself where you want to be in the future than getting lost in the past. Looking ahead is always brighter than looking back. Make your future bright. Work for it today, everyday, and you will meet yourself a day in there.

"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." - Dean Acheson

Happy painting!

Details
Title: Ahead...
Inspiration: Amrapali Boutique
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

Great to be Simple...

Great to be Simple
Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

It's good to be great. But it's great to be simple.
Be simple and humble to be great.

Happy Painting! Happy Simplicity!!

"There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth."

-Leo Tolstoy, novelist and philosopher (9 Sep 1828-1910)

Details
Title: Great to be Simple
Inspiration: Amrapali Boutique
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

పరవశం...

పరవశం
Watercolors on Paper  8.5" x 11"   .

Little practice...
Little joy...
Little satisfaction...
That's how my weekend goes on...
Even if time doesn't permit, I permit time to find me to do...

If you permit your time, you will never complain that you do not have it for anybody or anything.

"Words are but pictures of our thoughts." - John Dryden

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: పరవశం
Inspiration: Amrapali Boutique
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

Wear a Smile...

Wear a Smile
Watercolors on Paper 8.5" x 11"      

Don't forget to wear a Smile, nothing fits you better than a smile does ;)

"Nothing you wear is more important than your smile." - Connie Stevens

Details
Title: Wear a Smile
Inspiration: Amrapali Boutique
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

Quality comes by quantity...

Dancing with Colors...
Watercolors on Paper (8.5 " x 11")    

I missed many things in life. Along the way of busy/lazy life (my synonym for busy is lazy), I also missed my passion: Art for many years. Not anymore, I am back with it now. When we miss somebody or something for a longtime and meet again, we feel like catching up. That's what I am doing with my Art. Catching up with time, time that went way ahead of me. I have many years to catch up. The only way to do so is to be with it, more and more.

I strongly believe in work, hard-work rather. Success comes by quality, but quality comes by quantity. All successful Artists are the ones who did tonnes and tonnes of art works. The more we work, the better we get at anything.

Don't get trapped by misleading and very discouraging words, "it's quality not quantity that matters". In reality, both matter. After all, quality can never be achieved without quantity, especially in Arts. Just go and do it, whatever you feel like and whenever you feel like. Transform it into a habit, one day you will get there, where you want to.

There are two erased pencil outlines underneath this painting. I wanted to do this Indian classical dance pose very differently. Started by doing a simple line sketch, erased and started doing more realistic, erased again and started to do just shadows. Happy with the outcome.

When my brush dances on the paper, my soul dances in colors... ;)

Happy Painting!
Dance with your soul!!

"Quantity and persistence will get you the outcomes you need." - James Altucher

Details
Title: Dancing with colors...
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A photograph collected from Narthanam

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

Just be yourself...

Just be yourself...
Ink and Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11")    

Much of the world moves on by imitation. A child born learns by imitating people around, starts developing a personality influenced by family and friends. Most of the times we try to be like others, and act for others.

The best of all is none other than you, nowhere else found better than within yourself. Bring out that YOU within you and just be yourself. Smile like you, be like you, live like you, do like you do, and just be yourself...

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Just be yourself...
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A photograph from my collection

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

Elegance of Saree...

Elegance of Saree ...
Ink and Watercolors on Paper (8 1/2" x 11")   

I painted many times and always enjoy painting Indian woman in Saree, the most elegant and unmatched outfit for a woman. In my opinion it's a talent to wear Saree in a classy way and look elegant. Saree is not just an attire, but also a grace, elegance, and a sign of respect.

"Elegance is all in the mind of the wearer." - Philip Treacy

Happy Painting!
Give your own touch to make it look classy ;)

Details
Title: Elegance of Saree...
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A picture from my collection

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

Simply elegant...

Simply elegant - Indian woman in Saree
Ink and Watercolors on Paper (8 1/2" x 11")  

Be simple to look elegant, and to be elegant. Saree is one of few themes that I have been doing series of paintings. This particular style of sitting is quite common. A woman wearing Saree and sitting in this style looks very elegant. No doubt, it is not the dress but the simplicity that brings elegance and gives elegant looks. Saree is the most elegant dress for Indian woman.

"Simplicity, carried to an an extreme, becomes elegance." - Jon Franklin

Happy Painting!
Be simple and be elegant!

Details
Title: Simply elegant...
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A picture from my collection

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

తెలుగుదనం...

"తెలుగుదనం"
Ink and Watercolors on Paper 8.5" x 11"

Being simple and natural is the most difficult in life, now-a-days. When life becomes artificial other things take over the simplicity. Good-old Indian traditions are the most simple yet elegant ones. Indian traditions, and even Girls' outfits have changed overtime. But nothing can be as elegant and as simple as Half Sree- the most beautiful and elegant outfit for Girls, especially for Telugu Girls.

No doubt, this is one of very few sketches I did bit more carefully. I need to make this a habit. My definition of habit is nothing but something that has been followed for years. Also, she is probably the only one I did three sketches in a row. Yet to do many more...

తెలుగుదనం కరువై, రాను రానూ కనుమరుగై పోతున్న ఈరోజుల్లో

ఎక్కడైనా, ఎవరిలోనైనా అది కనిపిస్తే మెచ్చుకుని మురిసిపోక తప్పదు.

“It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.” – Amelia Barr

Happy Painting!
Be simple to stay beautiful!

Details
Title: తెలుగుదనం...
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration & Reference: Picture of very talented Dancer and Telugu Actress Karronya Katrynn

Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

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

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

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

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

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

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