Blueberry Bliss

This is my new favorite painting, it was difficult to stay focused on it due to complexity. I am feeling so accomplished! This is a plant - shrub, in my front yard. Everyone that suggested the title on Facebook thought that these are blueberries. But these berries are not edible. This is an evergreen, drought tolerant shrub, very common in southern California. In my neighborhood, I see this plant as shrub or hedges, very common in parks, street dividers, homes etc. Around Easter time, these berries turn into beautiful start shaped small pink or white flowers. For long time I did not find the name of this plant. Its called Indian Hawthorne. Below, I have some pictures of the plant with berries and flowers.
I used my own picture as a reference. The morning or evening light is very dramatic and that's usually I take pictures for painting.

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Blueberry Bliss - 22x30 inches, Watercolor on Arches Paper, 300 lbs coldpress

Code# PK_20_003 Available - contact preranap@hotmail.com\

Indian Hawthorne in full bloom around Easter time

Indian Hawthorne in Fall with berries. These are not edible

Silk Floss Tree Blooms

When you ride a bicycle and find beautiful flowers or plants or trees, it is a must to stop by and take multiple pictures... This is exactly what I did on my ride one day. Looking at the blooms, I could not resist taking a water break right there. The natural habitat of these trees is South America, but I see them a lot here too in Southern California. They are drought tolerant trees and the best part is they bloom in Fall. As you can see in the painting, there are barely any leaves, but the whole tree is covered with these pink flowers. Another unique thing about this tree is that there are thorns on the tree trunk, which usually we don't see for other trees.
Read more about it on Wikepedia..

Enjoy these beautiful blooms!!

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Silk Floss Tree Blooms, 22 x 30 inches, Watercolor on 300 lb Coldpress Arches paper

Code# PK_19_004 

Available - contact preranap@hotmail.com

Fall is in the Air

The inspiration for this painting is beautiful fall colors and the leaves illuminated by sun shining on it!! It is quite a big painting and for me the challenge was to control water on such a big area of each leaf. For every painting I try to experiment with the background. At first I was going to use Alcohol drops to create this kind of texture. But I did not use Alcohol, instead I experimented with water itself.
So first I wet all of the background. Then I put in strong different colors in a circular motion. When I did this I could see a magical effect of the water and color mingling into each other. The paper has to be very wet though for color to do its magic. When the paper slightly dried, I took just plain water in my brush and added drops randomly all over the paper. The place where the water was dropped became white and the color spread to the sides following the circumference of the water drop. This way I did 2-3 layers n my background. I was afraid whether using so many colors would work or not, but I like the colorful texture.
Now feeling accomplished!!

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Fall is in the Air - 22x30 inches, Watercolor on 300lbs coldpress Arches paper

Code# PK_18_005
Available - contact me @ preranap@hotmail.com

Cacti Sundance - SOLD

This painting is from a photo that I clicked at Laguna Beach. It was afternoon sun and the light and shadow patterns were so interesting that I could not resist painting it.
However just as I was drawing it on paper, I realized this one is going to take me long to complete. Towards the end I was running out of patience, it felt like a never ending painting. I could not start a new one until I finished this one.
It feels a great relief and accomplishment to get this one behind me.
I must admit that I fall in love with every painting I finish and this one is really very special for me.

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Cacti Sundance, 22x30 inches, Watercolor on Arches Paper

Code# PK_17_016

SOLD

Fine art prints available Click HERE

Soul Searching Rose

In my last post I mentioned that I am ready to move on to a different color. Sure enough, I tried, but had to use some hints of PINK, This pink color is called Opera Pink and is available in Winsor and Newton Artists color. I could not do without it.
As always I am working on catching the light effects on the flower. The original background of my reference picture was different and so was the flower. But I used my artistic license to make it look the way it is.
For those who know Marathi language - the song that I was thinking about was - Tya phulanchaya Gandhakoshi.... I love the song!!

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Soul Searching Rose, 22x30 inches, Watercolor on Arches 300lb coldpress paper

Code# PK_17_007
Available - email preranap@hotmail.com for more info

(I am entering this painting for a juried exhibition, so for about couple months I will not be able to sell it)