INVITATION

Dear Friends, 

     I have finally gathered courage to bite the bullet. You all are invited to my exhibition of water colors at Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park, Pune (01 Jan 2016 - 15 Jan 2016) and Malaka Spice, Baner, Pune (16 Jan 2016 - 31 Jan 2016). If you happen to be any where around Pune on these dates please make it a point to visit. 

      Thank you friends. Wish me luck.

      Have a great week ahead.

          

Kasturchand Park @ Nagpur

     I am presently in the Orange city of Nagpur in central India. Am here on an official trip. What better way to spend an otherwise lazy Sunday than painting. Got in touch with an artist friend who paints with a group on sundays. They were all getting together at this lovely park in the heart of the city- Kasturchand Park. 

     This is a huge park which is used for all kind of get togethers. It has a large pavilion in the centre which is used for religious functions. There was a large circus tent pitched in the background. Morning walkers and cricket crazy children thronged the place. We sat down on one side for our share of fun. About three hours was all that we spent. By my standards it was quick work. Hope you all like it.

     Have a great week ahead.

Afghan Church @ Mumbai

          When I first heard the name 'Afghan Church', I had wondered what the Afghans had to do with a church! On reading the history of the place it revealed that this church was built in 1847 in memory of the British soldiers who lost their lives in the first Anglo - Afghan war. The retreat of the British forces from Kabul in 1842 is considered the worst disaster suffered by them in India. The church was built entirely with locally available material and is known for  its wide gothic arches and stained glass windows. The tall structure was supposed to be a landmark for the ships in the Bombay Harbour but is now dwarfed by sky scrapers all around.

          This work was done plein air. The October heat was killing. However I did manage to finish it. This blog should not remain idle lest my friends forget me! Am sorry was missing from the scene for a long time. Work compulsions. 

           Hope you all like this. Have a great weekend.

Kanheri Caves @ Mumbai

     Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the only reserved forest located in the middle of a bustling metropolis. Hidden inside this reserved forest are these ancient Buddhist caves. I was surprised that many residents of Mumbai do not know about these caves.

     These caves date back to the 1st century BC. There are a total of 109 caves in all. Most of these caves are viharas or place to live, study and meditate. The larger ones were Chaityas or halls for congregational worship. They are dotted with Buddhist sculptures and reliefs. By 3rd century AD it had become a major seat of Buddhist learning. 

      It was one of those rare occasions when I had some time to try out Plein air work and could not find a better subject. Hope you like it and do plan a visit to this place. I offer to be your guide!

Fly Helicopters Paint Helicopters

     A friend of mine wanted to gift a helicopter painting to someone. He gave me 24 hours notice make one. The choice was between water and acrylics. The latter won because I had been wanting to experiment with acrylics for a long time. This was a quick fire work. He liked it. Hope you all do too.

The spirit of freedom.

     Some time back I was in Porbandar, a town on the west coast. On one of my morning jogs, on a road outside the town, while crossing a stretch covered with trees and thick undergrowth, I noticed some movement. I stopped as this area has its share of stray leopards. On looking carefully I realised it was a herd of wild horses, waiting to cross the road. Finally they overcame their hesitation, came out in the open and quickly disappeared the other side. They were not very well fed, or well groomed but still had a different air about them. Was it freedom that added that extra bounce in their steps? I guess so....!

     This fleeting experience forced me to paint horses.... wild horses. Hope you all agree with me and hope you like this work.

    

Say it with Lilys

     Flowers have always been a favourite subject with me. This is another one in the series. I am envious of artists who can make a painting with a limited palette. But I guess I love a riot of colors. Hope you like it. Have a great week ahead.

Fly helicopters, paint helicopters.

     This is another painting of the Alouette helicopter which I had flown long time back. Helicopters are basically very versatile machines which can be used for many tasks, from life saving to ceremonial. This one was painted showering flower petals. It was painted on request from a Unit where I had served long back. Military personnel have very strong bonds and it was a request I just could not turn down. Hope you all like it. 

     Have a great week ahead.

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.