Happy New Year 2019

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year 2019 ! 

May the new year days be as bright as the sunshine and as calm as the moonlight!

Sparrow

The ubiquitous little chirpy thing, the house sparrow has become a rare sight these days. Thanks to all the fast urbanization and factors like cell phone towers, lack of trees and greenery, more concrete, widespread use of pesticides and many others, sparrows are fast becoming extinct. I miss them so much. 

Medium- Soft pastels on A5 pastel paper

The Godfather

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." 

- Don Vito Corleone (The Godfather, 1972)

Medium- FC Pitt Pens and black marker pen on A4 paper

'Still I Rise' - A Portrait of Maya Angelou

Tried Derwent Pastel Pencils today. This is a pastel portrait of Maya Angelou, the great American writer and reformer. pastel pencils are far more easier than bar pastels for these provide much control and neatness.

Medium- Pastel pencils on Brustro 160 gsm A5 pastel paper. This paper is not smooth but is slightly dotted in texture which I think, is not very easy to work upon.

Her poem 'Still I Rise' is one of my favorite poems. Read more about Maya Angelou@ Wiki

Wings

'Far and wide my wings I spread

Cutting the untamed winds I fly

Calm is my mind, high is my head,

This whole universe is my sky'

I did this work using masking tape (for this indicative bird). Done in watercolor and Pitt pens on 5*7" watercolor paper.

Grapes

Done in mixed media on 5*7" watercolor paper  

Fisherman

Done with Camel soft pastel bars. This medium is fun but messy and finished works give a

 'blurred' look as sharp lines are not possible unless one is using pastels in pencil form.

Fish in Net

Medium- Sketchpen, colorpencil and Faber Castell Pittpens

I have tried to play with form and style in this piece of abstract work.

Be YOU

Be different

 Be Unique

 BE YOU

Dear God, let people flock wherever they wish, please grant me the strength to chart my own course with confidence. 

In Pitt pens 

The India Art Festival, Delhi 2018

Few days back, on one wintry morning, I came across a front page article about the India Art Fair at the Thayagraj Stadium, Delhi and decided there and then that I was not going to miss it! The three day festival (23-25 Nov) showcased more than 124 artists and galleries from across the country and yes, it was The India and not The Indian Art Festival, as most people, even participants mistook it for! So, on Sunday, I visited the place as for being an art lover and artist, I had no reason to miss the short and wonderful event. However, what I observed was different from what I had been expecting and given below are my personal observations. These are not meant to hurt or criticize anyone or any work.

Firstly, most works were only paintings that too mere renditions and I was disappointed that not much conceptual art could be spotted. Art is not only something painted on a canvas but the use of other mediums like metals, glasses, mixed media etc to reflect thoughts. Some metal and stone works were available but they were too few to be reviewed. The paintings looked amazingly well done but lacked original thought as well as concept. Beautiful renditions of sceneries, birds, nature and temples were a treat to the eyes but starved the soul. Only a few artists had focused upon concepts and innovation. I believe these two aspects, skill and thought, make up a good artwork. Sadly, almost all works were overflowing with the former but lacked the latter, although some pieces combined them in different proportions. I believe that a good artwork brings a change in viewer’s mindset. The message that it gives out subtly is always more important, for art can change the world.

Secondly, the dominant theme was that of Hinduism and art can rarely flourish when it is restricted in anyway. Most of the works showed Hindu symbols like temples, ghats, bells, worship, and deities mainly Shiva and Ganesha and too much of Buddha also. I think we need to be innovative and open up a bit. Art stems from artist’s subconscious and it shows that religion is occupying unfairly more space in society.

Thirdly, I noticed many works were lacking in basic elements like perspectives, proportions, symmetry and angles.

Lastly, the prices were exorbitant. Ordinary renditions were in lakhs and small canvasses with usual sceneries painted upon were in thousands. Also, the arrangement was shoddy and unplanned, food was overpriced yet unsavory and I feel the stadium itself is in a dire need of a good cleaning.

I did enjoy the festival but I feel religious themes and renditions were abundant and what lacked was what art basically bring out, that is original thoughts, breakthrough ideas and messages. But then, it is also true that in India it is difficult to make a good living out of art so artists have to align their works as per the market where mostly renditions are demanded mainly for beautifying the living spaces. I feel we need to give art some space to grow and bloom, for visual media is indeed the most powerful one.

King of Pop

'King of Pop' Michael Jackson. I am still a fan of his awesome dance slant! The secret lied in his patented shoes! :)

Done in Pitt pens

Buddha in Sky

बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि/ Buddham Saranam Gacchami / I go to the Buddha for refuge. 

Buddha's teachings light up the universe. The word 'Buddha' means 'enlightened one'.

This work is done in mixed media- Pitt pens, white gel pen, watercolor and touch ups with color pencil.

Buddha

This is a rendition of 'Head of the Buddha', a sculpture dating back to 4th-5th century AD which belonged to the frontier region of Gandhara. Ref pic from 'The Story of Art' by E H Gombrich.

All Buddhists follow five moral Precepts that are abstaining from-

1-Harming living things

2-Taking what is not given

3-Sexual misconduct

4-Lying or gossip

5-Taking intoxicating substances

Medium- pencil

Discobolos

This is a rendition of a famous artwork named ‘Discobolos’ by the ancient Greek sculptor ‘Myron’. The original was a bronze one that was unfortunately lost. However, an exact Roman copy is still preserved. Greek artists were experts in sculpting movements and muscle tones. The winners of the Olympic Games commissioned their statues from famous artists of that time. This young man must have won a prize in the game of discus throw.

I have intentionally used the black paper as I wanted to recreate the look of ‘old marble’ and display muscle tones that ancient artists so deftly sculpted upon the marble stone.

I love reading about ancient cultures esp Greece and Egypt and nothing fascinates me more than the ancient art! I hope you will like it. 

Medium- Color pencil on black card paper.

Inktober 2018 / Day 29

My very first 'Inktober' sketch!! The the prompt for day 29 is 'Double'

Vampires live amongst us and roam around wearing charming masks. They suck all happiness, hope, excitement, will and reputation so one must be careful of the company he/she keeps. Janus faced people are very toxic and sadly are so ubiquitous these days.

Medium- Pitt pens

My Art on Cover Page!

I am excited to share this amazing news with you all!

Congratulations to Ms Geetashree Chatterjee as her debut book 'A Basketful of Lies' has hit the stands! In this collection, each short story is a gem presented in a lovely lyrical prose. Everything from concept to language and from flow to the ebb, has been handled very meticulously. I just loved reading her work!

I am so glad to have done the cover illustrations for this title.There are six illustrations in total, done in color pencil. Each one reflects the respective story line. I sincerely thank the author for putting her trust in me.

This book is available on Amazon and Flipkart. 

Get your copy now!

Help Kerala

It seems God is livid with His own country. With extreme floods all around Kerala, over 373 people lost their lives within a fortnight, while at least 280,679 people have been evacuated. The state is on a high alert. 

It is a time for us to donate as well as pray for the people stuck in such a painful situation.

White gel pen on black card paper

Decline

Hate crimes are on a steady rise. The communal harmony is declining and hatred is slowly darkening the love communities in India had for each other.

Medium- Pitt pens and color pencil

Karma

I firmly believe in Karma. The 'Law of Karma' is infallible and it sees everything. It also ensures that what goes around comes around too. 

I got my new watercolor squeeze brushes today and this is my first poster with them. 

Lakdi Ka Pul III

I am over the moon! Three of my poems have appeared in 'Lakdi Ka Pul III' an international multilingual poetry anthology published by Twin City Poetry Club, Hyderabad.

Also, I am happy to have painted the cover page for this title.
Cover painting done in color pencils.

Idea!!

Why all amazing ideas come at night? 

White gel pen on Black card paper

Teachers Day

Teacher’s day is just another day. There are students but no faculty. According to reports* the system of college education is India is worrisome and calls for urgent attention. Of the 2,426 posts for professors in central Universities, 1,301 are still vacant. In fact, in many colleges, there are no faculty members. The best faculty members and researchers prefer going abroad for various reasons that include better research facilities, elevated pay scales and many other benefits leading to a crisis in India’s University education system. The government has turned a blind eye towards this problem. The situation is dismal and there is a complete chaos that is fast spiraling out of bounds.  

*Hindustan Times (30 July, 18)

The Way We See It!

We are defined by our perception.

Today is the longest Total Lunar Eclipse of 21st century (2001 to 2100). Also, there is a rare 'Blood Moon'! 

Medium- Pitt pens and color pencils

Celebration Desi Style!

Whatever be the occasion, celebration is always in the same pose! Say Cheeezzz!
We are Desi and we know it!

 Medium -Pitt pens and color pencil

SANIT(AR)Y!

Finally, some sanity has prevailed and Sanitary napkins are out of 12 % GST bracket. Why was such an essential item was taxed in the first place esp when things like bindis, sindoor, kajal etc are already tax free? Victory at last because now SNs will reach every woman!

Medium- Pitt Pens

Dheere Dheere!

Dheere dheere se meri zindagi mein aana! 

Medium- FC Pitt Pens, gel pen and sketch pens

Home

In this big bad world, home is the only beautiful place! Home is where the heart is, so true!

Medium- FC Pittpens, gel pen and sketch pens