Ardhanarishvar

Learning something new... This is one of the traditional Indian Folk Art style called Kerala Mural Painting and the figure is a form of Shiva called "Ardhanarishvar".

This figure symbolizes the union of male and female deities, representing the complementary nature of the universe. Shiva, the male part, is often shown on the right, while Parvati, the female part, is shown on the left. 

The concept of Ardhanarishvara extends beyond gender. It encompasses all dualities—light and dark, fire and water, yin and yang. It illustrates that the cosmos is governed by the integration of these opposites, leading to wholeness and spiritual evolution.

Kerala Mural Painting:

This traditional art form, practiced in the state of Kerala, India, involves applying paintings directly onto walls, ceilings, or other permanent surfaces. 

Kerala murals are known for their vibrant colors, intricate details, and stylized representation of figures and scenes.

Typical colors used are red, yellow, green, black, and white.

In this painting Shiva(Male side) is painted using Coffee (yes the Instant coffee). Coffee is mixed with water and painted using regular brush. The amount of water is adjusted to mix with coffee to get dark and lighter shades of coffee color. This was first time I have tried painting using coffee and found it quite interesting!  To paint Parvati (Female side), regular watercolor was used.

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10x12 inches, Watercolor, 140lbsArchesColdpress paper

Code# PK_25_002
Not for Sale

Resting Buddha

Resting Buddha is my first painting of the year 2025!

This painting was juried into Chemers Gallery "Figure This" show from April 26th to May 10th.

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Resting Buddha, 12x16 inches, Watercolor on 140lb Coldpress Arches paper,
mounted on Wooden panel

Code# PK_25_001
Available - contact preranap@hotmail.com

Ganesha Sculpture 2024

This is my 7th year of Ganapati Sculpture creation for Ganesh festival. 

This is made from eco friendly clay. 

It took me 2 days to create the sculpture. Then it needs about 10 days to dry. Once the idol is dry, I paint it using tempera washable paints. Nowadays there are fluorescent and colors with glitter available in tempera paints as well. So the idol turns out to be very attractive. The highlight of my Ganapati this year is the Himachali topi instead of the regular crown. That came about last minute thing during sculpting process, I had not planned it :)  The painting itself took me 2 days to complete. 

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Ganapati, 9 inches tall, Air dry Clay

PK_24_006

Not for sale

Ganapati, 9 inches tall, Air dry Clay

Ganapati, Joy of creation!!

Portrait Study completed in Uday Bhan Workshop

Back in Feb 2024, I took a workshop from a popular Artist in India - Uday Bhan.

His portraits are superb and I had been watching his instagram handle for quite some time.

I am glad I enrolled in this workshop as he taught Still Life, Monochrome value study Portrait and a full Color portrait.

Below is the Portrait I completed in this workshop.

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Portrait Study, 11x15 inches, watercolor on 140 lbs coldpress Arches paper

Code# PK_24_005 
Not for Sale

Monochrome Value study completed in Uday Bhan Workshop

Back in Feb 2024, I took a workshop from a popular Artist in India - Uday Bhan.

His portraits are superb and I had been watching his instagram handle for quite some time.

I am glad I enrolled in this workshop as he taught Still Life, Monochrome value study Portrait and a full Color portrait.

Below is the Monochrome Value study I completed in this workshop.

click on image to view larger 

Nutan - Monochrome value study, 11x15 inches, Watercolor on 140lbs Cold press arches paper

Code# PK_24_004
Not for Sale

Still Life completed in Uday Bhan Workshop

Back in Feb 2024, I took a workshop from a popular Artist in India - Uday Bhan.

His portraits are superb and I had been watching his instagram handle for quite some time.

I am glad I enrolled in this workshop as he taught Still Life, Monochrome value study Portrait and a full Color portrait.

Below is the Still Life I completed in this workshop.

click on image to view larger 

Still Life, 11x15 inches, Watercolor on 140 lbs Arches paper

Code# PK_24_003
Not for Sale

Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji

Performed on June 23rd 2024, varnished and completed in my home-studio on July 21st 2024

It was an honor and privilege to perform this painting live on stage along with Musical Orchestra, during the celebration of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 350th coronation anniversary at Los Angeles, California.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India. He was a great visionary, warrior, charismatic  leader and administrator. Stories from his life inspirational to this day. CLICK HERE for more about Shivaji Maharaj 

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Title: Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji
Size: 48”W x 36”H x 1.5” D
Medium: Acrylic Paints
Painted on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Varnished, Ready to Hang

Code# PK_24_002 
Available - $2000, Text me if interested 949-742-2579

Note: This is special pricing available via my blog only.

All sides are painted dark Brown as seen here.

I wanted to depict the grand personality of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on canvas. Lot of thoughts went into how I should incorporate the design to create a unique painting. And now that the painting is complete, I think I have achieved the “grandeur” successfully. 

Below are some details on the design elements that I think, make the painting successful!

In this painting, my theme and emphasis, was to paint Shivaji Maharaj with Horse, which is painted in cool color. The rest of the background is painted in contrasting warm colors, which help the eye focus on the main subject. Further, the background is unified by wavy patterns of vibrant warm colors that depict the rugged/hilly terrain of the region (Maharashtra). If you look at the painting carefully enough, you will also notice an element of asymmetry that makes a painting look very interesting. Did you already guess what is asymmetrical about this painting? 😊 If so, comment on my post and I will let you know what I had in mind about the asymmetry. 

To make it even more interesting, look at the texture closely in the overall painting. In the bottom part, the texture is due to the tissue paper (that we use for gifting) applied on canvas. The middle and top background is painted using Knife – yes, the disposable plastic knife that is typically used for lunch/dinner. 

Did you also feel a slight wind blowing when you look at the painting? Yeah.. that movement of wind is depicted by the orangish waves in the yellow part of the sky and the light and dark blue of sky as well. Even the Flag shape shows the folds showing slight winds blowing!

Shivaji Maharaj and his horse are painted using brush, but I did so by adding dark and light shades of blue. Some highlights on the horse, but more brush strokes on Shivaji’ outfit to get a feel for garment folds.

In summary: Contrast, Emphasis, Unity, Asymmetry, Pattern, Texture, Movement etc are design elements I have incorporated in this painting.

I am grateful to SMAP (Shivaji Maharaj Antarrashtriya Parivar) for providing me this opportunity.

Below are few pictures from the event.