Wonders of Nature

I recently went to an art fair and the simple but wonderful themed paintings spiked my interest in painting again. I’ve been wanting to paint on these adorable little canvas panels since then.  Each season is very unique in the place I live now and that is the inspiration for my painting here. Winter is the longest period here for around 5-6 months and the other seasons share the remaining time making them extra desirable. And for a person who has grown up in a place that is warm throughout the year, after the first dreamy snow shower the heart yearns for the warmth of the sun again. The complete cycle of creation to destruction in nature is practically before our eyes which gives us the chance to appreciate the wonders of nature more than ever.

An Autumn Scene

It’s that orange time of the year! Shorter days and longer nights, leaves changing colors and dropping down - Things that were just textbook facts are now a reality before my eyes. All the seasons here have distinct features that changes your lifestyle every few months -  from the dress you wear to the food you eat. Though you want the hot summer to last longer, the pleasant autumn has its own charm that makes you want to enjoy this season. So here is my acrylic painting to mark the beginning of fall.

Seascape Painting

I painted a seascape using acrylics last week with a group of people. It was so much fun to see everybody’s work. I also learnt a lot of new techniques and ideas to paint, from them. The bright sky colours attracted me to this painting and as I was finishing this painting I was lost in thoughts. Just like the guiding lights of the lighthouse that helps the ships in the middle of the rough sea, this art has helped me stay afloat in the challenges of life, keeping me positive and happy. I hope to see light at the end of the tunnel I am in right now! I am really looking forward to the warm summer evenings, sitting on the lake shore munching on snacks, discussing life and enjoying the sun. But for now, am enjoying the new addition to my art collection. 

Cozy Cardinals

I guess this is how the cardinals will look outside my house right now, comfy in their scarves chit chatting on a pine tree on a cloudy winter day. They brighten the cold and gloomy days with their color and whistles. I got this small Cardinal sculpture from a run-down shop in the middle of nowhere on a trip to Virginia and I thought it looked pretty with the painting. I kept looking at it for a while and realized the doll did not have a scarf. So I immediately looked through my scrap yarns and found a perfect green one to match. I knit a small scarf for the birdie and as it was a bright day I went outside to click a picture of the bird in its natural habitat. And that’s the story of the how the cardinal got its scarf! 

Pattern Fun

This is the second and final set of patterns from my daily painting challenge. Although I started it with the intention of getting into the habit of painting regularly, I am surprised at how much this process has taught me. I’ve had plenty of room to explore ideas and try variations of patterns and techniques. The first picture illustrates a lot of fancy rainbows, fluffy clouds, rain drops and tall skyscrapers. They helped the transition from structured geometric patterns to free flowing ones. The second picture is the result of reaching a point where I tried to paint anything that I set my eyes on – houseplants, tea cups and a lot of chocolates and ice cream. They are normal everyday objects at home that transformed into fun patterns. They are organic patterns aimed not at being perfect but at being able to give me the freedom to design them the way I liked. After all, there is no right or wrong in art!

Painting Patterns!

When I decided to start painting this year, I took up a daily painting challenge - A simple pattern painted in a few minutes every day. It was a very good learning experience, helping me practice with various shapes, color values, brush strokes with different brushes and acrylic paints. Looking forward to a new pattern everyday was truly fun! Structured patterns and free flowing ones were equally enjoyable. Lots of bright botanicals, fun veggies, structured doodles, geometric shapes and common daily use objects were used in the designs. I learnt many new pattern terminologies and it was inspirational to see the most basic shapes come together to form a beautiful pattern. This is the first set of colorful patterns from the series. 

Fall Painting!

My tryst with the fall color continues…I enjoyed painting every inch of this piece. A huge acrylic painting hanging in our entrance beautifully portraying the autumn foliage – I let the painting speak for itself.  A lot of color mixing went into this, patiently alternating color combinations, re-mixing and perfecting the shades. The subtle tones of the painting make it look realistic and I love the reflection in the pond that required great detail. It kept me occupied so much that when it was done, I started missing painting this. 

The Welcome Painting

It’s that time of the year when we all make resolutions about something – whether we follow it through or not. I have one too – to learn a new skill and to get better at the ones I’ve learnt over the past year. It is the beginning of a new year full of hopes and aspirations. I decided to post something new – a painting! I’ve not done a lot of painting before, apart from the art classes at school. I chanced upon this Iron puffed fabric at the art store and thought it was a great way to rekindle the interest in painting and welcome the New Year.