Go bananas

'Go bananas'

Watercolor on Arches CP 300 gsm,

21 x 29 inches

The city of joy, Kolkata, has some of the biggest markets in Asia, selling fruits and flowers and I love painting such market scenes.  I was amazed by the sheer quantity of bananas sold in one such market. This was literally a 'go bananas' moment for me.

Riding through the by-lanes

'Riding through the by-lanes'

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper,

21 x 14 inches

close-up

Harsh Sun

'Harsh Sun'

Watercolor on Arches CP 300 gsm Paper

14 x 21 inches

Apart from the lovely play of light and shadows, what moved me to paint this subject was the muse -the old woman sitting on the street protecting herself from the harsh sun while selling her items. The sun here is a metaphor for the harsh difficulties she faced in her life. She was forced to earn bread for her family at an age when she should be enjoying her last few years with her children and grand children or it may also be that she had no one now who would care for her.

Anyway, life is difficult for her and I have tried to depict this harsh reality in my painting.

Evening Coffee

'Evening Coffee'

Watercolor on Fabriano paper 300 gsm CP

14 x 10 inches

This painting is one of my most favorites...a small piece, I'm very happy about and much fond of. You don't feel that way with all your paintings (until, of course, you sell them...lol)

Also this one has been chosen for the upcoming International watercolor exhibition in Budapest, Hungary from 9 - 25 Sep. 2016 organized by the IWS Hungary...yet another reason to be happy :-) I thank the jury and the organizers for the opportunity.

Glowing Awnings

'Glowing Awnings'

Watercolor on Saunders Waterford Paper,

21 x 14 inches

Thinking Over Coffee

'Thinking Over Coffee'

Soft pastels on Tinted paper,

15 x 20 inches

My painting 'Thinking over coffee' has been selected for exhibition in Camel Art Foundation's All India Annual Art Exhibition 2014 which opens on Jan 5th, 2015 at Lalit Kala Academy, Chennai. My gratitude to the organizers and the jury.

Goa Series # 3: Enjoying the surf

 

Goa Series # 3: Enjoying the surf

Watercolor on Saunders paper

10 x 14 inches

This was painted from one of my reference photographs. Though it was a grey day and there was no play of light and shadow, I liked this subject of these two kids enjoying getting wet in the surf at the beach. And though there were other figures, I eliminated them from the composition. Before beginning to paint, I made two small thumbnail sketches with different placement of the figures and felt that the right one was a better composition.

Ending 2013 on a good note

Hi friends! Wanted to share some good news -
Firstly, my painting titled 'Blue Bicycle' has been awarded the best entry in the professional category in Camel Art Foundation's All India Art Exhibition 2013.

 'Blue Bicycle'

Secondly, my painting titled 'In the Spotlight' has made its way to the finals of The Art Society of India's Annual Art Exhibition 2013. Keeping my fingers crossed! Best part is that it will be displayed in one of the most prestigious galleries of India - the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai!
Also, my entries for the 'World Watercolor Competition' has passed the first stage of judging. Now for the stage two!

'In the Spotlight'

And last, but not the least, is that 2 of my paintings were acquired overseas this month - 'Varanasi Vista' in the UK and 'The Chaiwallah' in the UAE. I would like to thank all my buyers for showing interest in my works and supporting my art!

'Varanasi Vista' and 'The Chaiwallah'

I wish all my Christian friends a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year 2014 :-)

A few landscapes

'The Big Tree'

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper

10 x 14 inches

'Morning Sunshine'

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper

10 x 14 inches

'Riverview'

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper

10 x 14 inches

'After a shower'

Watercolor on Fabriano Paper

10 x 14 inches

Hi all...Did these landscapes very recently...hope you all like and enjoy them! I'll be gone for 10 days...So see you all until then!

 Have a great weekend! :-)

Where to ma'am?

Watercolor on Saunders paper

14 x 21 inches

I always love to include the letterings and the sign boards in my paintings…makes them more interesting! Varanasi is a place where you get to see( the signboards) and hear a lot of languages as its a very religious and a very important pilgrimage for all Indians and people from all over the world, not just India, visit the place.

I’ve tried to keep the focus on the main figure, the rickshawallah by blurring other portions in the painting.

Below is a small sketch in pen and watercolor of the same scene

Catching up

Watercolor on Fabriano paper

14 x 10 inches

Again a scene from Varanasi. Though the scene didn’t have strong contrast of light and darks, it were the colors of the robe and the textured wall that made me choose this subject to paint.

A smoke at the paan shop

Watercolor on Fabriano paper

14 x 10 inches

I had captured this scene in Varanasi. And there were quite a few things about this image which attracted me a lot. One, it was a night scene (I was eager to paint one) second - the reds, totally different from my usual palette...third, the relaxed expression of the old gentle man, casually watching the people, pilgrims and tourists on the ghats, about to light his cigarette, and fourth, his cast shadow on the left. Since I found this to be a little challenging, I chose a quarter sheet size for better control. I was happy with the outcome!
'Paan' is a hindi word which means a betel leaf filled with chopped areca nut and other mouth fresheners. Many people have the habit of chewing a paan after a meal (I don't...he he) and you'll find such shops all over India.
This particular kiosk was a temporary one, as I found out the next morning. The place was empty..not a sign of the shop. The paanwallah would come in the evenings and start his job!

Same place...next morning

I hope you like and enjoy this painting. Have been getting fewer and fewer comments...sometimes none! So would be happy to hear from you all!

Have a great day :)

Narrow Lanes

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper

14 x 10 inches

I had been wanting to do this painting for quite some time. I was attracted by the brightly lit buildings in the upper half and the dark cool shadows in the lower half. Its very difficult to paint large dark areas in watercolor in one go. I had to glaze the dark areas thrice to get the desired result ( It still looks a shade lighter in this image when compared to the original painting! )

Lanes of Varanasi #2

Watercolor on Bockingford Paper

21 x 14 inches

Lanes of Varanasi #1

Watercolor on Fabriano Rough Paper

21 x 14 inches

Gathering for the Ganga Aarti

Watercolor on Paper

10 x 14 inches

detail

This scene was quite complicated even while working from a photograph! I wanted this painting to be loose, unlike my other works, almost in a plein air fashion, so I squinted a little to simplify the shapes and the whole scene. The fast brush strokes give a feel of movement and spontaneity. I painted this in transparent watercolors except a little opaque color used for the florescent lights on the poles.

Have a wonderful weekend! :-)

The Flower Sellers

Watercolor on Saunders paper

21 x 29 inches

My second full sheet watercolor! Painting on a full sheet still looks daunting...must get used to it!

Selling bananas

Watercolor on Fabriano Paper

21 x 14 inches

Tried a different composition in this one. Do you like it? Critique and comments most welcome!