Art Expo at KBR

My first art expo after school......wow !! what an amazing experience!!!!!!. I made two nice paintings for the expo........I wanted to represent our indian culture in my paintings, first one is the traditional kalamkari peacock and the other is a folk dance of tribal women, for this one i tried a different medium with texture and it worked out great!!!!!!!!!

The best part of the expo apart from receiving all the lovely appreciation, was meeting the mayor of the city and getting appreciation from her.......

finally all my hard work paid offff!!!!!!!!!

Colors

Today, along with my painting I want to share a beautiful story and message. This was sent to me by a very dear friend of mine.

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciple hood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills. He decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read-"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting. Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying" Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young disciple couldn't believe it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough. Don't make false hopes.. "Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work." Master interrupted him. Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled. "Come with me." master said. They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it." Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!

Message: It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behavior it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. Take criticism in your stride; consider that which are genuine and implement those which you think is the best to improve you as a person!!

Water Fall

This was my attempt to learn Wilson Bickford water fall painting technique. By this painting I learned how to do the waterfall and rushing water. He used a fan brush for the fall and as I dint have the fan brush with me back then, I tried it out with a regular brush. His trick of scuffing motion of brush over the partial background and then blurring it out with a regular brush is amazing and it actually makes it look like water.

Wilson Bickford is an artist and instructor, he is also the published author of Wildlife Landscapes You Can Paint Book. I absolutely love the way he describes the art of painting.

I love being able to take a "blank" surface ( either canvas, paper, whatever ) and turn it into something of value, both emotional and monetary. It literally means creating something that was not in existence up 'til that moment in time. That is a powerful accomplishment!!

Art is passion for some, hobby for some and living for some. My best wishes to all the artists who just give so much life to a piece of paper.

Deep Within

What was I doing that day? I think it was just 2 days since I moved to Houston, was all alone in my new room with bags full of luggage to be unpacked and laptop on my lap , bored not sure what to do. I was too scared to go out as I had absolutely no idea of anything and anybody. Suddenly I remembered that I had my painting inventory with me, I took them out and started looking out for a nice picture to give my brushes some work. As I looked over nothing appealed to me much and then I started looking over the huge window in my room and that became my inspiration, with that thought and combinations of bright colors I made this painting. I see myself in this one; I feel it actually tells my story where I am just sitting on my PINK comforter thinking of my new job, new house and new place with lots of hope. I had so many thoughts in my mind, I was happy but yet I was worried , I was all excited about my new job and at the same time I was nervous........well on the whole it was a great feeling.

Sometimes giving time to yourself makes you a better person, I feel every body needs to take time for themselves and I think that’s what my painting says too. She is deep in thought looking at the beautiful colors outside the window. Now who knows on the other side if she is showing a smile full of happiness on her face or if she is sad or she is just being blank well I guess that will always remain a mystery for me.

The colors are bright and the girl is wearing a long beautiful red gown but does that make the girl look like she is happy may be? and may be not? May be deep within she is thinking of something serious or may be deep within she is just enjoying the view. I leave it to people who see the picture to decide what they think the girl must be feeling………