ADIPURUSH - from my Art Studio (preview)...

The work in progress.

Oil on Canvas (2 feet x 3 feet)

వినాయకచవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు!

Handmade with Natural Clay

3D (9" x 6" x 5")

5lb (2.26 kg)

"వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు"!

పదేళ్ళక్రితం ఎంతో స్ఫూర్తి తో మొదలు పెట్టాను "మట్టి వినాయకుడు" ని చేత్తో చెయ్యటం. పది సంవత్సరాలు క్రమం తప్పక చేస్తూ వస్తున్నాను. ఇది వరుసగా 11 వ సంవత్సరం. ఏదో స్ఫూర్తి తో మొదలుపెట్టినా, ఇప్పుడిది సాంప్రదాయంగా మారింది. కాలం ఇంత త్వరగా కదిలిపోతుందా అనిపిస్తునంది. వెన్నక్కి తిరిగి చూసుకుంటే  ప్రతి పదేళ్ళకీ జీవితంలో వచ్చే మార్పులు ప్రస్ఫుటంగా కనిపిస్తాయి.

అన్ని మార్పుల్లోనూ మనతో ఉన్నది, ఉండేది, ఉండబోయేది మాత్రం ఖచ్చితంగా మనసే. 'మన'సే మన నేస్తం. మిగిలినవన్నీ మిధ్యే!

నువు ముందుకేసే అడుగు వెనకున్నది నీ అడుగే

వెనకేవస్తూ నిను ముందుకి నడిపించేది ఆ అడుగే

నీ మనసుని నువు నమ్ముకో

నిన్నెన్నడు వీడదని తెలుసుకో

                . . . . .

Making of Lord Ganesha 2020 . . .

 

Making of Lord Ganesha with Natural Clay

The tradition of "Making Lord Ganesha" with natural clay by hand that I adopted 10 years ago goes on this year too.

This is the 11 year straight year of making it for the festival "Vinayaka Chavithi"...

I wasn't sure if I could continue to do this year. I was bit tired in life and at some point I was thinking of giving up with this tradition. However, I firmly believe in the fact that 'once dropped is gone, and once gone is gone forever'. This applies to traditions as well as relations. We rarely get a second chance to prove ourselves. I will have to see how long I can continue this tradition. I know once I drop it, I will not get back to it forever. I am giving this "adopted tradition" a test, year after year!

Tools and Setup

Making...initial overall shape

Happy Sculpting...

Details 
Video Credits: Bhuvan Pottepalem
Mediums: Natural Clay 5lb (2.26 kg)
Size: 9" x 6" x 5" (3D)

My friend goes with me wherever I go...

Piccadilly Circus - LONDON, Sep 25, 1994
Sketch pens on Paper (6" x 8")    

గుండె లోతుల్లోకి తొంగి చూసుకుంటే కొన్ని జ్ఞాపకాలెంతో మధురంగా అనిపిస్తాయి. మది వినీలాకాశంలో తేలిపోతూ, సన్నని జల్లులు కురిపించి, ఆ జల్లుల్లో మదిని తడిపి ముద్దచేసి, వెళ్తూ వెళ్తూ జ్ఞాపకాల తెమ్మెరలు  అలా వీచి మదిని సేదతీర్చి మరీ వెళ్ళిపోతుంటాయి.

Aug 15 1994, London, my first step outside India.

స్వతంత్ర రాజ్యాలుగా వెలుగొందుతూ విలసిల్లుతున్న భారత సామ్రాజ్యాన్ని దాదాపు 200 సంవత్సరాలు తమ గుప్పిట్లో పట్టిపెట్టి గిలగిలలాడించి, ఆ గుప్పిట ఒక్కటై ప్రజలంతా ఏకమై జరిపిన పోరాటాల్లో గడగడలాడి, చివరికి భరతభూమిని రెండు ముక్కలు చేసి విడిచి వెళ్ళిన బ్రిటీష్ గడ్డపై మనకి స్వాతంత్ర్యం వచ్చిన రోజే అడుగుపెడుతున్నానని భావోద్వేగాల్లో, I boarded my first plane in my life from Bombay to Londan, on a 3 month project trip for TCS, Bombay.

కానీ లండన్ లో అడుగుపెట్టాక  అణువణువూ సుందర అందాలకు క్షణక్షణమూ మది పులకరించిపోయింది. అక్కడ గడచిన, గడిపిన 3 నెలల్లో ప్రతి శని,ఆదివారం తిరిగి చూసిన ప్రదేశాలూ, ఆర్ట్ గ్యాలరీలూ నాలోని ఆర్టిస్ట్ ని మళ్ళీ తట్టిలేపాయి. బొమ్మలని నేనెప్పుడూ వీడలేదు, ఎంత బిజీగా ఉన్నా ఎప్పుడో ఒకప్పుడు కనీసం ఒక పెన్సిలో, పెన్నో పట్టుకుని గీసుకోవటం నాలో నా జీవితంలో ఆర్ట్ కి నేనిచ్చుకున్న ప్రాధాన్యం. ఏ కొత్త ప్రదేశం అయినా, అక్కడ మన మనసుకి నచ్చిన కొన్ని గురుతులతో, గడిపిన క్షణాలతో మనతో మనలో ఎప్పటికీ ఉండిపోతాయి. 

London has a special corner in my Art and in my Heart. Some of the world's finest Art galleries I visited, Art books, cards and Art material I bought in London are very special to me. Though I had no time left for my Art during those 10 to 12 weekends of my stay in London, I did few sketches including the one of Dianna, Princess of Whales which I gifted to my project-mate Deepti who joined me from TCS, Calcutta to work with me on the same project. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of it.

This is a sketch done when I was in London based on my own photograph that I took at Piccadilly Circus, London. An Artist is connected with every small Art work of his/her own. I am no exception.

Art is my friend, goes with me wherever I go and wherever I stay...

"Connect, collect and re-collect good memories in anything and everything you do; 

anywhere and everywhere you go!"

~ Giridhar Pottepalem

Happy Painting!

Happy Memories!!

Follow your Dreams...

"Follow your Dreams"
Watercolors on Paper (16" x 20")    

It is important to have dreams of future, but more important to follow your dreams to make them a reality. It requires tremendous efforts to get there. A sheer dedication, determination, hard-work and consistency is the only possible way for it.

Inspired by the life-size sculpture works by Luo Li Rong, I attempted one of her beautiful masterpieces in Watercolors.

"When you follow your dreams, you encourage other people to follow theirs."

- Nafessa Williams

Happy painting! Happy dreams!!

Details
Title: Follow your Dreams
Reference: A life-size sculpture by Luo Li Rong
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)

Surface: Fabriano Artistico Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi...

Happy Vinayaka Chavithi

వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు!

Details
Mediums: Natural Clay 5lb (2.26 kg)

Making of Lord Ganesha - 2019...

A tradition of Making Lord Ganesha I adopted 9 years ago goes on this year too.
This is the 10th year of making it for the festival "Vinayaka Chavithi"...

Details
Video Credits: Bhuvan Pottepalem
Mediums: Natural Clay 5lb (2.26 kg)

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

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

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

Travel back in time with memories...

Statue at NewPort Mansions
Watercolors on Paper

When I visited Newport Mansions, Rhode Island this summer, a bare-breasted woman statue found in Rose Garden of Rosecliff Mansion caught my attention. This painting is based on a picture I took. The mansions are filled with stunning Sculptures, beautiful Paintings and wonderful Art works. Rich people who got those mansions built truly had a sense for Art and they lived their full life in those mansions with nothing but Art and beautiful Nature around them.

This statue of a woman is located in Rose Garden outside Rosecliff Mansion. I am not sure how many people passing by on the way to the beautiful ocean-front back yard stop by at this statue to admire the beautiful sculpture work. It was really stunning!

I am glad I seized the moment of my admiration of this beautiful statue in my own painting now.

"Time moves in one direction, memory in another." - William Gibson

Put memories into your works and travel back in time. Keep Painting!

Details
Title: Rosecliff Statue
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Reference: A photograph taken by me when I visited Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, RI
Inspiration: Passion for Arts...

Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 35.5 cm)

Surface: Arches 140lb, Cold Press

Keep the tradition going...

Lord Ganesh with Goddess Saraswati re-presented
- Handmade with Clay

Keeping the tradition of Making Lord Ganesha going on for 8th year in a row, I made this Ganesha for this year's upcoming Vinayaka Chavithi. This year, it's Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Music re-presented in this handmade Clay Sculpture. Lord Ganesha is seen playing the musical instrument Veena that typically Goddess Saraswati is seen with representing Creative Arts. His Mooshika (Mouse) vaahanam (vehicle) is seen joining him playing Tabla, a pair of drums.

This is made with fine Natural Clay and all by hands from my own imagination. Started first in the year 2010, I keep this tradition going at home.

The result of Consistency is nothing but Trust. Be consistent in anything that you believe in and build your own trust, not for others, but for your-self.

"As tradition is a gift of the Spirit, its trajectory moves in the right direction, although it has not arrived at its destination." - BRIAN D. MCLAREN, A Generous Orthodoxy

Details
Title: Lord Ganesha with Veena
Category: Clay Sculpture
Mediums: Handmade with fine Natural Clay
Size: 9 Pounds (~4 Kg)
Inspiration: Adopted Tradition, Passion for Arts...

Art mixed with "Values"...

Lord Ganesha - natural clay

Anything practiced for a longtime becomes a custom. A custom slowly becomes a tradition. Traditions later become "Values".

Trying to keep up the tradition of making Lord Ganesha with natural clay for seventh year in a row since I adopted this form of celebration of the festival "Vinayaka Chavithi".

Art mixed with "Values" is "Invaluable" in Heart!!!

Lord Ganesha - natural clay

Details

Material: Natural Clay
Category: Sculpture
Inspiration: "Values of Life"

Weight: 9 pounds

Hindu Temple...

Hindu Temple
Gifted

Hindu Temples are rich in Art. With amazing architecture, sculpture and paintings, every temple shows and stands as an evidence, generation after generation, of how skillful previous generations were.

Art, in some form or other is part of everybody's life; probably it was more into life in previous generations.

I always get lost into the amazing sculpture whenever I go to any Temple in India.

This painting is based on a picture I came across in Our Andhra Facebook page.

Happy Painting! ;)

Details
Title: Hindu Temple

Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration: A photograph found on Our Andhra - Facebook

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Violet, Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Turquoise Light, Neutral Tint, HWC Light Red and Chinese White

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3, 5 and 8

Looking back 2014...

Looking Back 2014...

It's this time of the year that we look back and also look forward in time; look back into the year that is going to become a memory soon and look forward for a brand new year that is going to come in with all new hopes. Of course, one always looks forward for a better year than the previous. As I look back into my Journey with Arts through this year 2014, I have many joyful moments to recollect from my Art World.

Good Start - always puts on a good path...

Like past few years, this year also started with the BigHelp annual event in which our Kalakruti members were the Judges for judging Kids' Art. It was a joyful event from many fronts for a good cause of helping Kids & Schools in India. It was certainly a good start of my year in Arts.


New Art supplies - come with new learnings...

This year gave me new opportunities for learning. I bought some of the best quality Art supplies including Brushes, Watercolor Paper and Watercolor Paints. I also learned some tips and techniques of Watercolor Painting from books, friends and workshops. I started to notice how much of a difference a good quality Art Supplies make. Also, this is the year, I started going big in size with my paintings, I did many 16 inch x 20 inch paintings.

Workshops - a great opportunity...

I also attended a 4-day workshop in Gloucester, MA conducted by one of the Best Watercolor Painters of our age- Thomas W. Schaller, which gave me first-in-life opportunity to observe a professional Artist closely at work. It also changed my style, perspective and the process of Watercolor Painting. I also learned how professional Artists see Art in things around us and more importantly how do they begin the process of Painting and go through it till end. In his words, Tom, in the very beginning of the First Day's session said, "The process of Painting actually starts way before you even touch the Brush...". Very true, I learned some invaluable details and techniques taught by Tom in this workshop. I also tried some of the Paints and Paper that Tom uses in his Paintings and fell in Love with the quality. As I already said many times, I am glad I came across Tom on Facebook.

Not only I attended a workshop, we, the Kalakrutians teamed up with BigHelp and conducted an Art Workshop for children from KG-12th Grade. It exceeded all our expectations. We got a wonderful  response from the community. It was more than a joy teaching Kids and watching them doing and fully involved in Art.

I also introduced Watercolor Painting to my 11 year old son, Bhuvan, who in my opinion has the finest of fine skills in Art. He used to amaze me with his skills when he was not even 3 years old. He always watches me quietly painting in a room and gives the very first opinion. It was a pleasure introducing Watercolor Painting to Bhuvan. Now he knows some of the techniques that I have been learning and practicing lately.

Sculpture - year after year...

It's been my fifth year in a row since I started making Lord Ganesh from natural clay, all by hands. Year after year, I notice my progressing skills. This year I challenged myself to finish it off faster than earlier. To my surprise, I finished very fast and got even better at it. This way of celebrating the Hindu Festival - Vinayakachavithi by making Ganesh is a very pleasant experience to cherish for many years.



Art show - sets the stage...

I can't say that "My Arts were never displayed to public anywhere" anymore. My Paintings were part of the very first Art Show of our Kalakruti group at the Lakeside Gallery in Sharon, MA. It was very exciting to me to be part of this Art Show. It was very well received by Art Lovers in and around Sharon town. My colleague and friend also came down all the way from Somerville on the opening day reception with his Mom who was on vacation to Boston coming from Germany. It was a pleasure meeting many Art enthusiasts. I hope this sets the stage for future. ;)

Variations - on the way of finding my own style...

Going out of my style (if I have one yet), I did several Paintings on various subjects this year, ranging from flowers, birds, landscapes & portraits to Hindu Gods. All in all, I am happy that I finished a few from my long pending wish list.

Admirers - always the best source of inspiration...

I have been one of the millions of Telugu people who admire Bapu- the greatest master of line drawings. His demise on August 31 this year shook all Telugu people around the world. I was remembering Bapu by doing a Portrait of him with some of his drawings around his portrait. I have it now framed and is on the wall in our Family Room at our Home. A copy of this Painting was also taken by the TANTEX(Telugu Association of North Texas) in their monthly literary event of remembering Bapu. Thanks to my school-mate and friend Dr. Narasimha Reddy Urimindi (President Elect.) for giving my painting such an honor to be a part of it.

This painting also got published in the Telugu magazine "Nadi". Many many thanks to the editor Prabhakar Jaladanki.

Towards the end of this year, on Dec 15, I also celebrated Bapu's very first birthday after he passed away by imitating his self-portrait in his style which is very difficult. After a great struggle through each inch of each line, I was able to do it to some extent. I was happy celebrating and remembering Bapu on his birthday, in this way. This will probably remain the last piece of my Art work done in this year.


Quiet Mornings - the best time of the day...

I had spent many of my weekend mornings quietly painting in a room with a background music of classical Hindi and Telugu songs. When I look back to recollect my weekend mornings, I feel good that I didn't have that many weekends without me spending my time with Painting. Otherwise, how can one reach to put in 10,000 hours of effort in Art to call oneself an "Artist"?

Above all, comments by friends on Facebook & Blog, and interest shown by some friends to know the details of my Paintings give me tremendous joy and make me look forward for another beautiful and artful year ahead.

Happy Painting!

Happy & Healthy New Year, 2015!

Bhagavadgeeta...

Bhagavadgeeta

Bhagavadgeeta - based on a picture I took on Tirumala hills.

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Title: Bhagavadgeeta
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, Yellow ochre, Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Orange, Cobalt Turquoise Light, Permanent Sap Green and Neutral Tint

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

An Indian Festival full of Art - Vinayaka Chavithi

Hand-made Lord Ganesha made of Natural Clay

Ganesh Chaturthi a.k.a. Vinayaka Chavithi is an Indian Festival celebrated all over India. In fact, this is probably the only festival that special idols of Lord Ganesha are made or bought and worshipped for many days. The idols are immersed in lakes and rivers on the last day of the festival.

The idols are made in great many forms...there are no restrictions or limits to one's imagination of creating an idol of Lord Ganesha. Recently, making idols with eco friendly material has been gaining popularity in and outside India due to increasing environment pollution.

I also celebrated this year's festival by making an Idol from natural clay. Sculpture being another form of Art that I have been aspiring to do since my childhood, this festival gives me a chance to test my aspiration. This is my 5th year of celebrating this festival by making an idol of Lord Ganesha.

Happy sculpting and Happy Vinayaka Chavithi ;)

Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja

Sculpture Painting...

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Beinfang Watercolor Paper, 140 lb. 207 GSM
Size: 9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)

Paints: Winsor & Newton Ultra Marine Blue, Cadmium Lemon, Hookers Green and Grumbacher Violet

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 5

One of my Dream Paintings...

Hampi - Watercolors on Paper

Every Artist dreams to paint certain subjects, places or people of personal interests. Hampi- once used to be the Capital City of Vijayanagara Dynasty, and now left as a ruined City of Magnificent Sculpture has been one of my dream places of subject for a series of paintings.

I visited this city with my friends when I was in Engineering College and that still remains as one of memorable vacations in my life. We spent a tireless day walking all around the ruins of great many sculptures and many many wonderful things heard and seen in this big city spread through few square kilometers on the banks of river Tungabhadra. Though much of this city was ruined long ago, each sculpture and rock speaks in silence about the skill of many great Sculpturers who built this glorious city of sculptures.

I am glad to make a bold attempt of one of my dream paintings on a bigger size. Many more to come in coming years...

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Arches Watercolor Paper, 140 lb, Cold press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Winsor & Newton - Vandyke Brown, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna, Hooker's green, Ultramarine Blue and Prussian Blue.

Brushes: 8 round Sable, and 2 round Sable

Heartful Goodbye to an Artful year - 2013…

Yet, another year has gone by and as the year 2013 soon becoming "the past", I look back into it recollecting all my (he)artful memories of this year.

The year for me started with Art, working with a small group of Indian Artists (Kalakruti MA) in and around our town, Sharon and preparing for the BigHelp Pongal-Republic Day celebrations. I can’t forget how much of a fun it was for us choosing our own Art works for display at this event. Also, the moments of- all the brain-storming, planning, discussions and preparations that we had gone through for getting our Art works turned into bookmarks, coasters and greeting-cards for sale at the event in raising funds for BigHelp- are still fresh in my heart. In addition, it was a delightful and challenging experience at the event to be part of the Judges Panel, judging Kids’ Art works.

Also, this is the year I started blogging on my Arts again, by posting the very special Art work that I did specially for the BigHelp event.

Much of my commuting-time to work was very well spent, sitting on the train with my heads down and sketching in my sketchbook. I had even finished a whole sketchbook and started a new one. Gone were the very few days with me not opening my sketchbook. Back home after work, I even spent many pleasant evenings, sitting on our deck and coloring some of the sketches I had done on the train. Many times, I felt like- "I found my way of finding time for Art, no more regrets!"

I continued the tradition that I adopted few years ago, the tradition of making Lord Ganesha out of a clay block for the festival "Vinayaka Chavithi". Of course, it only got better, year after year.

Besides those Art works that I did for myself, I designed a Logo for my kids Robotics team, second year in a row. I also did few art works for a friend of mine for his science research paper on DNA, soon to be published.

Friends, Artist-friends of Kalakruti MA, Sharon Public Library, Books, Art magazines, Nature and Face book have all been the sources of inspirations for me.

The year 2013, is another year that I remember as a year that took me into Arts and filled my (he)art with many unforgettable memories.

By remembering all the fine moments, truly spent with my "soul", I say my heartfelt "Goodbye to an Artful Year, 2013".