Gateway- II

     This is another picture of the waters near Gateway of India. This is evening time when the ferries are docking up after a long day. This is one side which generally comes in the shadows and the setting sun leaves interesting reflections. Tried to catch this difficult moment. Don't know how successful I was. Personally I feel I overdid it in a few places.

Water Lilies- III

     Water lilies are a favourite subject with many an artist. I am no exception. This is a third one on my blog! On one of my routine morning walks in a park close to my home had clicked a picture and decided to paint it. It was a quick work and loved doing it.

Gateway of India.

    The Gateway of India was a monument built during the British rule in India. Earlier it used to be a crude jetty used by fishermen of the area. It was renovated and this structure built, to make it befitting for prominent people to land. The structure used to be the first thing to be seen by visitors coming to Mumbai by boat. Now it is overshadowed by sky scrapers all around. The waters are choked with variety of boats. Catamarans and flashy yachts compete with age old ferries for space. The huge ships entering and exiting Mumbai harbor dominate all of them. But in the end it is peaceful co existence for all.

     A week end trip of water color painting. Was not entirely happy but then.....

His Holiness.

     Two days back, His Holiness The Dalai Lama was in my city to deliver a talk on the eve of World Compassion Day. There could not have been a better choice. He does not preach but just speaks... speaks whatever he feels is right. When he speaks about peace, you feel the inner peace in him. When he speaks about happiness you see the joy in his eyes. He does not just represent his country and religion but speaks for the whole world. He even shows compassion towards the Chinese, who the Tibetans claim are responsible for their miseries. Wish we had more like him.
     This a portrait of the Great man done in oils on paper. Worth every minute I spent on it.

'Big B'

     This is a quick fire portrait of Mr Amitabh Bachchan, who is popularly known as 'Big B' in India. He is an actor who has been firing the imaginations of Indians for the past 50 years. In his hey days he was also known as 'The angry young man' for the kind of roles he did. His popularity has still not faded even a wee bit. I, for one, am a big fan of his. Would like him to continue forever.
     Wanted to do a portrait for a change. What better subject than this ! And believe you me, this was pure fun... all the way. 

Mhadei sets sail again !

     Had done this work more than two years back. The occasion was... my friend, Commander Donde had successfully completed the solo circum-navigation of the world... the First Indian to do so. This painting is of his Sail Boat- Mhadei. Had to repost this pic because another Indian Naval officer- Lieutenant Commander Tomy has set course in the same small, fragile boat. He has also set course alone on this voyage... wants to repeat the feat... with an added challenge. He wants to go round the world... Non Stop... Unassisted ! Friends, please wish him luck. His live updates will be available for all
on http://sagarparikrama2.blogspot.in/.

Waiting for some action.

     A person like me, who is not a professional artist, often faces the dilemma .... 'to paint or not to paint'. Distractions like TV often try to dissuade one from picking up the brush. But once in a while comes a subject which galvanizes you into motion. This simple pic of this old boat was one of them. The painting was done in a little over an hour. Was not entirely satisfied with the results but was happy. What say.....?

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.

Cavalry....

     On 26th January India celebrates The Republic Day. On This day in 1950 our constitution came into effect. To commemorate this day  a large parade is held in New Delhi. The military, paramilitary and police etc come out in marching columns in all their finery. Amazing tableaux take the breath away from spectators. In spite of all the changes over a period of time, my favourite still remains the Cavalry columns. The horses are elegance personified. I am not much of a rider myself but love them any way. Had been wanting to paint one for a long time. Found this picture very interesting and decided to paint it. The composition was difficult as both the horses and riders needed equal footage. Hope I managed to do justice and you like it.   

Gurudev

     'Gurudev' or 'Teacher' as he was popularly known, Rabindra Nath Tagore was the first non European Nobel laureate for literature. His mesmeric personality, flowing hair and other worldly dress earned him a prophet-like reputation in the west. His poetry was considered spiritual and mercurial. However it is still hardly known outside Bengal. He is probably the only individual to have composed the national anthems for two countries.... India and Bangladesh ! This year is his 150th birth anniversary and next year will be the centenary of his winning the Nobel prize. My tribute to this great man....