Diskit Gompa-II

     In the northern edge of Ladakh is a small place called called Diskit. This monastery is nestled high above in the mountains. It was built in the 14th century. It is a seat of learning for the local children. They are given modern education. It is connected to the Mongolian mythology in that an evil anti buddhist demon was killed in its grounds. His head and hands are still preserved here.

     I had  already painted this long back in watercolors. This time wanted to experiment with photo colors. Tried this medium for the first time. Found it a little tricky to handle but it was fun. Just keep pouring and let the colors do their work! 

Retired hurt.

     Flying for the off shore oil and gas sector keeps me close to the coast and big and small harbors. Also watching small fishing boats fighting the raging waves has instilled in me a lot of respect for the sea men. Hence this is another in the series of boats that I have been painting. These two old fishing trawlers were waiting to be broken down or probably repaired. Found it an interesting subject and managed a quick water color sketch. Just tried to capture the atmosphere of the docks. Hope I have succeeded. 

Cherry Blossom

     When ever I want to paint but some how am not able to start, I paint flowers. They are pure therapy for me. Started this one, lost control of it midway, and wanted to abandon it. This is what happens when the gap between two paintings is large. But then I decided to complete it whatever be the result. I think I did manage to salvage it to some extent. Not very happy but then that is how life is. Enjoy the good moments and take the not so good in your stride. Have a nice weekend friends.

Happy Holi

          Holi is a Indian festival which is slowly gaining popularity over other regions of the world. It is known as the festival of colors or the festival of love. It signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It is a free for all carnival of colors where people play with dry and wet colors using water cannons and color filled balloons. Every one is a fair target... friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, adult or child. Singing and dancing on drum beats is a part of the revelry. Sweets and 'bhang', a drink made from cannabis is a must! They say, on this day one must forget all grudges and be one.

          Have tried to capture the chaotic revelry. It did get overworked at places... but then learning is a process. Hope you all like it and... excuse me... have to go out. The celebrations are starting outside. The colors of Holi are waiting.

Fishing boats @ Kakinada (II)

     Well I am back in Kakinada and nothing better to paint here than fishing boats. The back waters in this fishing port are lined with all types of boats... big boats, small boats, broken boats, under construction boats, shining new boats. A dream for any water colorist. But alas, the sides of these back waters are slushy and dirty. There is just no place to sit. I hope some one makes it a mission to clean up this place. What a pleasure it will be to sit and do some plein air work. This one was done from a pic I had clicked. Hope it conveys the atmosphere and hope you like it.

Happy Basant Panchami.

   
     William Wordsworth’s “ten thousand golden daffodils” will be the first thing that will strike your mind during Vasant Panchami. This is because of the visual treat of nature that surrounds the entire country during the occasion of Vasant Panchami.  The color yellow has an immense importance on this occasion as mustard crop fields get filled with yellow colored flowers. ‘Basant Panchami’ also known as ‘Vasant Panchami’ is celebrated with great fervor and joy every year. It falls on the fifth day of Magh (Hindu calendar), ‘Basant’ means spring and ‘Panchami’ means the fifth day in Hindi language. This festival marks the beginning of the spring season but most importantly, Vasant Panchami also marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of music, art, knowledge, culture and wisdom. 

     Love painting such subjects as they give me a lot of freedom to play around. Hope you all like it and hope the Goddess Saraswati blesses you all with a great year ahead and happy painting.

Albert Hall @ Jaipur

     In the 'Pink City' Jaipur, is a garden called 'Ram Niwas Garden' spread over 33 acres. In the centre of the garden is the Albert Hall museum. It was built in 1868 by Maharaja (Emperor) Sawai Ram Singh. Like most of the buildings in this area, it is made of red sand stone. In fact most of the buildings in the old city are made of the same stone. Because of the color of this stone Jaipur is called the pink city. Even now all the buildings have to be of the same color even though sand stone is no longer used for construction! You shall be fined if you do not! It is a beautiful museum in a beautiful building and attracts hundreds of pigeons besides tourists! 

     Found it an interesting subject to paint in my recent visit to the city. Felt the character of the building would be incomplete without the pigeons. Hope you agree with me.