Warm-up

Back to my studio after a three week Hiatus. Feels great! Did quite a few quick sketches to warm-up. A few more days of sketching and I will get back to painting. Can't wait :) 

DREAM - A work in progress

A 'WORK IN PROGRESS' as many other paintings lying in my studio. The pleasure of signing my artwork knowing it is complete is elusive.

It begins with big bold strokes, pushing the creamy paint around with a brush just the way I want. Slowly the work starts looking close to what I have in mind and my strokes become more deliberate. Finally,  when I am really close to feeling it is done - I can tell something is wrong. I keep painting and no matter how much I work on it I can't lay down my brush knowing the painting is  complete.

I have signed 'DREAM' and it hangs in our living room 'incomplete'.

 “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” (Da Vinci) - TRUE DAT!

Disguise

                                                                

                                                               Created In Illustrator

SIESTA - An Apt Title!

Finding an apt title for a painting can sometimes be more daunting than the challenges of creating a fine piece of art. Not so surprising, I choose to express myself visually and not literally. For me, the joy of coming up with a befitting title is as much as creating a successful painting. I always have the option of settling for something very literal like 'The blue door' or  'The lady with the hat'- but what when I paint more than one blue door ? 'The other blue door' ? :p Worse are days when after hours of mental wrestling I have to settle for 'Untitled' or something like 'Portrait no 9'. Yikes :(

A couple of months back as I geared up for my art exhibition at the 'The Artists Alley' I  had a dozen of paintings ready to be exhibited. After wracking my brains I decided to leave this painting 'Untitled' and  left a note for the visitors to help me title the painting. To my surprise, there were a bunch of names suggested and as I glanced through the list I knew the one I loved - 'SIESTA'. In fact, I kicked myself for not coming up with name myself :-/ The name totally resonated with me - a small town, lazy peaceful afternoon and people enjoying their afternoon nap behind closed doors. It's almost as if there is an invisible sign hanging outside that says "Do Not Disturb". It reminds me of the quiet Sunday afternoons of the town I grew up in. An afternoon nap was something one could indulge in after a sumptuous Sunday lunch (without feeling guilty).

It is always a great feeling when a painting finds an apt title - small pleasures :) Thank you Anonymous!

CLOSURE -16X20 Oil on Canvas

MOWGLI and I - My poster design

My poster design for Naatak's next production 'MOWGLI and I'. Enjoyed every bit of creating the poster. If you live in the San Francisco bay area do not miss this grand production. 

Mugshot -1

                                      
                                                               Oil on gessoboard. 4X4 in

Giuliano Medici -Heady study (In Progress)

Head study 3/7/2012 - IN PROGRESS

Head study 1/25/2012 - IN PROGRESS

18X24

Pencil on paper

Portrait no 10 - 9X12 study

                                                                         Oil on canvas
                                                                             9X12
A small 9X12 study before I start working on the bigger piece.

Thanks Sanjay Austa for letting me use the photograph.

http://sanjayausta.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/India-Pictures/G00002tlSCwUpiJw/I00003z6oE99aD4M

http://www.sanjayausta.com/