Fly helicopters... Paint helicopters!

     I have been missing from my blog for some time but it is not that I have not been painting at all. Did this painting of an Alouette-III helicopter fitted with floats. This aircraft is capable of landing on water. Flying it was a pleasure. Gives you the pleasure of flying as well as sailing ! Was even paid a visit by two Dolphins once when we had landed off the Gujarat coast. That is an experience only some lucky sailors get. Anyway a friend wanted me to do this for him... was more than happy to oblige.

Therapy

     My work schedule has been quite tight and it was difficult to get out and paint in spite of invitations from some like minded friends. Picked up a picture of these Maple leaves from the net. Managed to squeeze in some painting time in between the hectic schedule and the result is in front of you. I have realized that painting acts as a stress buster when I am under pressure. I am wondering.... 'are there positive sides to stress' ? Can some one help ?

ASC Golf club@ Bangalore

     I am in Bangalore undergoing some hectic training. Thankfully the weekend was free. Went across with some friends to this golf course... not to play, but to paint ! However hard I tried the guys would not let me sit in the course with my paraphernalia at some vantage point... not permitted by the course regulations. Finally had no choice but to sit in the club house where the only view I had was a clump of trees. A tired caddy made the scene a little interesting. Half an hours job. Still something is better than nothing.

Pashupatinath Temple @Kathmandu

     This is the famous Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu, Nepal. By tradition the priests of this temple have always been from India. Recently it was in the news due to some remuneration issues regarding the priests. This picture was published in the 'Hindustan Times' and caught my attention. Over the times the temple structure has been surrounded by haphazard construction. Wanted to paint it as it is without omitting any details. However had to be careful lest these structures overwhelm the temple in my painting also! Used a lot of negative areas and light shades to ensure this. Was successful to a large extent. Hope you like this.

Playtime

     I find water colors so much fun as a medium. No other medium surprises you so much. I love washes, spattering, splashing, pouring.... in short at times I just keep playing with colors. Let the painting take the shape it desires. Just go with the flow. At times it works and at times it does not. This is one of those works where I could not decide whether it worked or not !!! What say ???

Majestic

     The elephant is one of the most majestic animals on this planet. I have seen them in both Africa and India. The African one is definitely more handsome with its huge tusks and ears. But the Indian elephant is luckier than its African brother. Firstly it does not have large tusks which have become a nightmare for the african elephant. The ivory is the major cause for rampant poaching. Also the Indian elephant is lucky to have Lord Ganesha or the Elephant God as its protector. Hindus hold this God in reverence and hence no one dare harm the elephant. Hope we can find a way to protect the African  elephant also.
     This is a small watercolor I did as I had not painted for a long time and was finding it difficult to pick up my brushes. Enjoyed it after all.

Springtime...

     It's spring time and the colors that this season throws are at times amazing. No better example of this than the Palaash flowers (Butea Monosperma). Bright orange and red in color, this flower was compared to Fire by the Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore in his poems. It is even called a form of the God of Fire by some. The flowers are also used to make colors for the Indian festival of Colors- Holi.
     Painting this was fun. It was a pleasure playing with such bright colors. It really brightens up ones mood. Hope you all like this work.