Krishna - The Eternal Blue

 

You cant imagine Holi without colors. Colors add life to our lives. 

As per Hindu mythology, Krishna was the pioneer of this festival. His mother Yashoda playfully suggested that he can smear any color on Radha's face and change her complexion to any color he wished. Following the idea, Krishna did so and introduced the play of colors on Holi.

 

The most inspirational thing from Krishna in context of colors was that although being Blue, he never felt blue. If Red signify Love, Krishna's Blue is Eternal Love.

Tried to smudge that vibrant feeling using Oil pastels and gel pen on A3 Watercolor paper.

The God's particle

 Bosons or the God's particle are the smallest thing that exist in the universe. 

We studied that atoms were the smallest unit but these are the sub atomic particles which carries energy and were supposed to be the reason behind the big bang. 

The images are truly the masterpieces of the best or the first artist we have ever known or we still wonder who...the God.

Interestingly, Bosons were named after the Indian legendary scientist Prof  Satyendra Nath Bose. Although it was discovered by Peter Higgs but it was named after Bose to honour his amazing work with Einstein, Bose-Einstine condensate.

I got curious to read more about Bose and bosons after his noticeable mention in one of Einstein's biography. That inspired me to portray both.

Tried charcoal pencils to sketch Bose and oil pastels was real fun to bring out the boson effect.

Tantrum to Tranquility

 

When the tantrum maker himself takes over your tactics this is what you hear..

"Dad..when you think the child is angry, he is not angry. He is upset" 

Feels like tranquility...

Portraid the real life experience with oil pastels and gel pens on watercolour paper.

Size: A3

Unforgettable Pisa

 Pisa, Italy has always been known for the Leaning Tower, one of the wonders and undoubtedly the architectural marvel.

But the city has a scenic landscape in itself.

Captured this image on the way from Pisa central to the Leaning tower and the view was breathtaking. 

Tried to put it on the 300 gsm watercolour paper using oil pastels and graphite pencil.

Size-A3

Locked Warriors

LOCKED WARRIORS

Everyone has to be a warrior at some point of time. But the year 2020 has given this unwanted opportunity to many or too many or to everyone globally.

We call them Corona Warriors.  Be it the infected ones or the ones toiling to save them and others. Yes, the health workers, the police, media professionals and the supply chain delivering essentials to doorsteps.

Amidst all this there are a kind of warriors which constitute the biggest population at least in India. And she or he is none other than the common man who is locked in his abode to either act responsible or to follow the not so clear administrative rules.

I call them Locked Warriors.

Although I am not undermining the real heroes and salute them but the so called Locked Warriors have their unheard stories of pain and agony which I want to share.

Somewhere in Delhi NCR, an 80+ years old man was living with his wife and son. He was stable and walking apart from normal old age complaints. Don't know how he fell down one day which made him unable to walk and conditions got worsen with fever. With so much of already created panic, even his son was hesitant to touch him suspecting corona. Many hospitals were not admitting patients suspecting the same. He was not in a condition to even give a sample for COVID test. Finally one hospital accepted him where his wife who too is obviously old stayed with him before he succumbed.

Another senior citizen couple went to Mumbai to meet their daughter only to witness that they cannot go back to their home in Bhopal. The mother started developing anxiety which further supported some other complications and was left with no choice but to hospitalized with hesitation and fear of the exposure to infection. She was admitted in ICU for suspected convulsions and her daughter stayed with her to avoid her father to come out of house. COVID test came negative and fortunately she was discharged in few days after condition became stable. With no certainty on the pandemic getting over or when the train or flights will resume, they took a risk of travelling by taxi as it was becoming stressful for them to stay away from their home in a one room apartment.

A mid aged man returned to India from his international trip just to witness himself locked in his own house without his family who shifted to his father's place. Later after completing 14 days self isolation, he struggled to get e-pass to travel to meet his wife and children.On day 1 of his return, his wife came to arrange things for his 14 days but they could only see a wall between each other. 

And there many others like the anxious children, victims of family abuse, the Jobless, etc. the list is never ending. Hope we all overcome this time and the world will be better better soon.

This painting depicts those Locked Warriors who could only scream to hear the echo of their own voice. Done with oil pastels on glossy paper using smudging and scratching..

Inspired from the album cover of "Acoustica" by Scorpions.

Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer

Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer

The Bhagavad Gita  - popular scripture of India and the loftiest of all teachings in form of a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna during the battle of Kurukshetra. This book has answers to many questions.
Apart from the scripted teachings, one thing which one can learn from Krishna is to be calm and composed even in a battlefield. Whatever happening around, you need to  be focused.
I tried portraying the same digitally with my Samsung Note 2. Great device when not finding time to pick canvas and brushes.

Smudging Fun

SMUDGING FUN

Smudging is a cleansing technique of clearing your thoughts and lifting your spirits. It can help combat negativity and clear the energy around you. An ancient technique to burn dried herbs.

On the contrary, smudging also means 'To make dirty, especially in small area'. Now this could be fun if you think as an art lover.
17-Aug-2012...saw my guitar lying messed up in the corner. Thought of putting that view on canvas with oil pastels. After struggling to replicate the actual view, tried this art called Smudging using multi directional strokes with fingers and turpentine oil.
And the effect was not at all bad.