Sunday, May 12, 2019
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Beauty of Smile...
Beauty of Smile... Ink and Watercolors on Paper 8.5" x 11" |
Not many women know that the most precious and beautiful Jewel is Smile and it costs nothing. The beauty of Smile is the beauty of the Soul. Soul can only be seen through smile, but of course, can only be touched by Love.
"Love is the beauty of the soul." - Saint Augustine
Happy Painting!
Smile and bring the beauty of your soul out!
Details
Title: Beauty of Smile...
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration & Reference: Random 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
Sunday, April 28, 2019
తెలుగుదనం...
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...
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
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
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Portrait of Talent...
"Portrait of Talent" Watercolors on Paper (8.5" x 11" (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm) |
Painting portraits is always challenging. Every person has unique features that when not captured nicely make the result doesn't look like the person. Capturing facial features is only one aspect of painting a portrait. Capturing feelings is the essential and the most challenging aspect of it.
This portrait certainly challenged me to the greatest extent. Struggled to get the grasp on it to portray the feel of talent in this Portrait. I think I am very close to capturing the feel of talent in this Portrait, if not captured fully.
"Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter."
- Oscar Wilde
Happy painting!
Sharpen you talent by practice!!
Details
Title: Portrait of Talent
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration & Reference: A video song 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
Saturday, April 6, 2019
తెలుగమ్మాయి...
తెలుగమ్మాయి Ink and watercolors on Paper |
చక్కని తెలుగు అందం..
చిక్కనైన తెలుగుదనం..
కలగలిపిన శుభప్రదం..
ఈ ఉగాది పర్వదినం...
తెలుగుని అభిమానించే, ప్రేమించే అందరికీ
"ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు"!
"ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు"!
"The way you dress is an expression of your personality." -Alessandro Michele
Happy Painting!
Details
Title: తెలుగమ్మాయి
Mediums: Ink and Watercolors on Paper
Inspiration: Photograph 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
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Towards your destiny...
Dancing Feet
|
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
Mediums: Oil on Stretched Canvas
Reference: A photograph from my collection
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)
Surface: Stretched Canvas board
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Friends until the end...
Friends forever |
Oil Painting requires patience, at every phase of it. It's more like cooking. If you do not have patience in cooking, you turn out to be a bad cook and most likely remain a bad cook for your life. If you only enjoy cooking, but not cutting vegetables before and cleaning dishes after, you are still not a good cook. A good cook needs patience at all phases and must enjoy the complete process of cooking. Similarly, Oil Painting requires quite a bit of setup before you get to touch the canvas with brush. At the end, cleaning brushes & palette is a real test to your patience. I have heard Artists saying- "I hate cleaning brushes". Well, if you hate cleaning brushes, you are not enjoying the process fully ;)
Like many beginners in Oil Painting, I went through the struggles of cleaning palette and brushes. With not knowing techniques, I spoiled expensive brushes and palettes. I also tried disposable wax-coated papers and plastic palettes, and was not happy with either. I do have a couple of wooden palettes, but am scared to touch those as I do not know how to clean dried-up painting on wood. Recently, after watching a youtube video, I made my own palette from a glass, removed from an old frame. I even spent my time quoting one side with gray acrylic paint and adding a thin border all around with duct tape. This one worked out to my best satisfaction and I am quite happy. Cleaning is as easy as scrapping the paint. Of course, I had to visit hardware stores finding a good paint scrapper. Don't try to scrape any other way, nothing works better than a good paint scrapper ;)
You have to learn by experimenting in order to arrive at what works best for you. It's a scientifically proven fact, that the best option is always the last one. To arrive at it, you will have to try all other options. Life is meant to work that way only. If it works any different for anybody, that person is an extraordinary person ;)
After experiencing and knowing what I want, I've decided to invest my money & time to buy expensive palette. This new New Wave Posh Tabletop Palette with corner guards and gray-coated on one side, is my new friend I have now in my journey of Oil Painting.
It's a false belief that only people have hearts. Non-living things do have hearts; only if you can feel. Unlike living people, non-livings do not hurt. All they need is little care, they always give their best to you.
My dear new friends, new palette and brushes, I promise to give you a good care. Let's start our colorful journey on the path of Oil Painting, and make it a memorable journey together...
Happy Painting! Happy caring!!
"Caring- about people, about things, about life- is an act of maturity."
- Tracy McMillan
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Artist Card...
My Artist Card |
I have been bit hesitant to say "I am an Artist". But, with all the paintings I have created so far with thousands of hours of sincere efforts put in doing & practicing, I think, I have reached the stage to start marketing my Paintings with no hesitation whatsoever.
When people ask me- do you have a web-site, are you on Facebook, are you on Instagram...I used to say- yes, I can write it down for you. Now, I can simply hand them my card instead. How sweet is that! A printed painting of mine along with my details on it gets into the hands of people who would like to get in touch with me or look at all my works. When they look at the card later, they read my name and can recollect some of my Paintings they had seen in person. Their memory stays un-erased, little longer.
I have a couple of Art shows coming up in March. I will see who gets the first card from my hands ;)
Thanks to Vistaprint customer support person who worked with me on this design. They have such a nice set of people to assist their customers, and their prices are very affordable.
"Quality is the best business plan." – John Lasseter
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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
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
Saturday, February 9, 2019
NEVER GROW UP - the book I couldn't put down...
I travelled into Jackie's life |
One of my new-year-resolutions this year, 2019 is- "to read as many books as I can". I have already finished reading 4 books.
This book of Jackie Chan's life made me travel with him through his life from his childhood in the streets of French consulate in Hong Kong where his parents used to work as Chef and Maid, into 'the decade of darkness' (that's his name for that chapter) at rigorous, disciplined School of China Drama Academy (CDA), onto the sets as stuntman, to his venture into movies of Hong Kong, Hollywood, and back to Hong Kong, his family, his first time experiences, his parents, his transformations in life all the way from an ordinary kid into a very rich millionaire who had more dollars than sense, and into an extraordinary human being who is doing amazing things to preserve the heritage of his country and people...
Written in the most simplest words of English language with the flow of a gentle breeze makes this book such an honest presentation of his life. Reading this book and knowing the complete life of a Legendary Star of our time in his honest words is an unforgettable journey of experience.
His focus, dedication, determination, learnings & experiences in life are simply amazing. I truly travelled into his life with this Kung Fu Master of our time. Now, with due respects, I need to watch all his real stunts and risks he took in his movies to entertain his fans all over the world, that resulted in several injuries.
Some good words to cherish from this book:
Never Grow Up - Jackie Chan (Translated by Jeremy Tiang)
~~~~ . ~~~~ . ~~~~ . ~~~~
Hollywood filmmakers not only learn from China, they tell Chinese stories too. When someone is better than us at something, we ought to admit it.
First time when I met Steven Spielberg, I asked him about the special effects for E.T. “How did you make it look so real, people and dinosaurs side by side?” He said, “Oh, that’s simple, I just keep pushing buttons- button, button, button. What about your films? How did you do all those dangerous stunts, jumping off rooftops and over cliffs”? I said, “Oh, that’s even simpler. It’s just rolling, action, jump, cut, hospital!”
When you have experience and standards, and show respect for people and property, you are respected in return.
To make good impression, all you have to do is talk to people, look them in the eye, and show them respect and love. I give newcomers a chance and take care of them so that they have every opportunity to shine. All those good practices and intentions come back to you.
Why wait for special day to remember the people important to us? If someone means a lot to you, then every day is Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or Mother’s Day.
About his son Jaycee (JC a name coined from initials of Jackie Chan by Jackie Chan) when he was having all lights left on in the bathroom and closets and said it makes him feel more alive: “You’re only saying that because I’m the one who pays the bills. Don’t waste energy.”
Some people are forever chasing luxury products, but there is no end to this, and they will never be satisfied. If we already have more than enough, we shouldn’t ask for more.
Any artistic endeavor has a way of forcing you to explore new sides of yourself, which can be annoying in the moment but is worthwhile in the end.
My grandfather said, “I hope one day you understand that life isn’t only about work, but there are more important things to care about. And if you neglect them, you might find one day that you’ve left it too late.
You have to be good to your elders while they’re still alive. Don’t wait until it is too late and then do the rituals, like burning paper money, for them.
My parent’s story is ordinary and extraordinary. I am very lucky to have been their child, and I know they were proud of me, too.
“Whatever you do, heaven is watching.” I make sure that in everything I do, I’m not letting down my country or my people. I can only do what I think is right. As long as I haven’t gone against my conscience, then I’m happy, and that’s how it’s been for many years.
Some say that connections between people are just a matter of fate, and I am grateful that I’ve connected with so many fans in this lifetime. I dedicate these words to all my lovable, crazy fans.
The world isn’t that big, but it’s not that small either, and connections between two human beings are always a little mystical.
Whenever I hesitated, I recalled my stunt team’s motto: “We don’t ask why, we just do or die.”
~~~~ . ~~~~ . ~~~~ . ~~~~
“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” - Mark Twain
Happy Reading & Healthy Living!!
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Just enough is more than enough...
A Sketch for an Oil Painting Oil on Canvas, 2 Feet x 3 Feet (24" x 36") |
I see some of my Artist friends spend too much time in getting more details into a sketch for an Oil/Acrylic Painting. From my learnings, failure & successful experiences, sketching is an important first-step in Painting, but it must be fast and fairly accurate. It is the beginning phase with which an Artist can quickly decide on the composition and do quick outlines of the main objects with just minimal details.
Oil Painting, particularly is relatively longer anyways, and offers opportunities for corrections at any and every given stage. So, there is no need to spend too much time upfront on the details. Even if you put in all the details, they go away covered by paints once you start painting. As long as the composition and proportions look fairly accurate and good to you, that is good enough. I wouldn't spend more than 15 to 30 minutes on sketching for an Oil Painting.
Many professional oil-painting Artists do sketches very quickly. If a more detailed study is needed they do it separately on a Paper with a pencil or a pen. Good Painters are also good at drawing and sketching. I have seen and heard people saying that Painting doesn't require any experience with drawing. That is a complete-lie and totally wrong. It's like saying, you don't need to know how to walk in order to run. Drawing skills are basics in Art. Aspiring Artists must practice and keep practicing basics. There might be shortcuts for earning money, but not in learning. Practice is the only way! The more you practice, the more you learn and the better you will be.
Learning is a life-long process. The moment we step into this world, our learning starts. We only graduate in life moments before we die, if we live a full-life, of course. Those who don't make it that far are only dropouts.
This sketch with left over oil-paints is fairly big in size, 2 feet x 3 feet (24" x 36") and I spent about 30 minutes to do both my sketch and underpainting. I am all set now for another colorful journey, can't wait to get my hands dirty with Paints all over ;)
"He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough." - Lao Tzu
Happy Painting!
Do not stop learning, do not stop growing!
The progress - Step by step |
Details
Mediums: Oil on 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
Monday, January 21, 2019
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
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
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