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.

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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.

Krishna

Completed April 7, 2024

I had started this painting last year, but had left it unfinished for quite some time.

I picked up from where I left off and finished this painting.

It is first time I have painted Krishna and it was challenging for me. I set up the still life in the Kitchen window facing east. I was starting a new Pothos plant (aka money plant...) in a cup. The Krishna idol I have is beige in color. I tried different colors of cup I had for background, finally settled with this orange color. I thought the contrast looked good. 

As usual took many pictures and picked one with a proper crop for my painting.

For this painting, I tried 12x16 inch wood panel. So I prepped the wood panel with gesso first. After it was dry, I mounted (glued) watercolor paper on wooden panel using Liquitex professional matt gel.

Once the surface was prepared, I sketched and started watercolor painting as usual.

I really like this process as I will not need to frame the painting behind glass. I feel that glass framed painting has so many reflections and distortions due to glass, that the actual painting has a compromised look. In the image below, I have still not varnished the painting. Will post an updated picture once it is varnished.

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Krishna, 12x16 inches Watercolor on Wood Panel

Code# PK_24_001 
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

Ganesha Sculpture 2023

Completed Sept 16, 2023

As per my yearly tradition, I make my own Ganesha Sculpture for Ganesh Chaturthi. But this year I did not have much time. So I decided to do it very simple. My inspiration was Moreshwar - one of the Ashtavinayak Ganapati. Read more about Ashtavinayak here.

I tried the Mooshak (mouse) a little more detailed than the prior years. I think I like how it came out..

During this time Ganesha stays with us for 10 days. Everyday we light diya and pray in the evening.

When the 10 days stay is complete, we do visarjan - i.e immerse the idol in water. Since this idol is made with eco friendly clay and non toxic tempera paints, it completely dissolves in water overnight. 

We then pour all the water in the plants in our backyard. 

Next year I make a new idol and the cycle continues...

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Ganesha Sculpture 2023, about 7 inches height

Bromeliad

It has been a while I have not updated my blog.. So here is a painting of Bromeliad I did last year - Feb 2023. 

It was after long time I had gone to office (after Covid) and walking through the corridor I saw this plant near the door, shining bright. I had to take pictures. Out of the many photos I clicked, I decided this close-up composition for my painting. 

Completed - Feb 7th, 2023

  

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Bromeliad, 11x15 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper -140lbs coldpress

Code# PK_23_001
Available - contact preranap@hotmail.com

Blueberry Branch

I did a Blueberry painting earlier and wanted to try another one with just the berries. Painting the berries was lot of work. I wanted to try out a different background. My end result for the background is not what I envisioned in my mind. But still pretty happy with the original painting!

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Blueberry Branch, 8x10 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper, 140lbs Coldpress

Code# PK_22_005 

Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

Aloe 2022

On Memorial day weekend, I had a chance to participate in Artist Demos at Chemer's Gallery in Tustin. It is a tradition that after HeART of Orange County juried show ends, artists are invited to do demos on the closing day of the show. I was happy to be juried in and also to participate in Artist Demo. It is a great day to interact with other artists and watch their process of creating art. I chose a simple image of Aloe that I had bookmarked for painting long time back. Below is the final painting that came out! Greens were quite challenging. But I love how the painting came out.

 

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Aloe 2022, 8x10 inches, Watercolor on 140lbs Coldpress Arches paper

Code# PK_22_004 
Available - contact preranap@hotmail.com

Colorful Succulent 2022

This one I had painted last year, but somehow did not like it after the painting was complete. You can see the earlier version at the end under "BEFORE".

So what I did was tore the paper on left and right to create an interesting angle. Also I painted the background darker, so that the leaves of this succulent would show prominently. I definitely like it better this way...

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Colorful Succulent, 15x12 inches, Watercolor on Archespaper 300lbsColdpress

Code# PK_22_003 
Available - Contact - preranap@hotmail.com

BEFORE:

Colorful Marbles

This is a different subject for me to paint, so a bit challenging. But I had fun doing it. Watercolor paper is mounted on masonite board. So I will be varnishing this painting, that way I can frame it without glass.

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Colorful Marbles, 4x8 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper (140lbs Coldpress) 

Code# PK_22_002 
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

Sunflower 2022

I was hoping that I could finish up this painting as last painting of the year 2021. But I am glad it became the first painting of 2022 !!

I love the warmth this painting projects and it is the perfect color to brighten up and hope for a sparkling year 2022!

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Sunflower 2022, 8x4 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper, 140lbsColdPress

Code# PK_22_001
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

Wishing all the Art Lovers, Family and Friends a Miraculous New Year!!

Magnificent Rose

Painted on 11/28/2021

Roses are my favorite subject to paint. I am trying to get my rose to glow. I think I achieved it somewhat. 

Will try better next time.

I mounted the watercolor paper on masonite first. Then drew and painted the Rose.

It is not varnished yet. But once I varnish it, the paining can be framed without glass.

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Magnificent Rose

Code# PK_21_008 
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

MANAChallengeSept2021

Did a sketching challenge in Sept 2021.

Below is a collage of my sketches for everyday.

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Ganesha Sculpture 2021

Completed on 9/4/2021

As per my yearly tradition, I make my own Ganesha Sculpture for Ganesh Chaturthi. 

During this time Ganesha stays with us for 10 days. Everyday we light diya and pray in the evening.

When the 10 days stay is complete, we do visarjan - i.e immerse the idol in water. Since this idol is made with eco friendly clay and non toxic tempera paints, it completely dissolves in water overnight. 
We then pour all the water in the plants in our backyard. 

Next year I make a new idol and the cycle continues...

click on image to view larger

Ganesha Sculpture 2021 in the making. Made from Air dry clay

Ganesha Sculpture 2021, about 8.5 inches tall

Code# PK_21_006

Camille Pissarro Rose

This was my experimental piece where I wanted to try out painting outside of the box. Below in the picture, I placed a red matt behind the painting to see how it looks. The paper itself is 8x10 inches.

I am not quite happy with the background, I may tweak it a bit later.

The rose is from my own reference picture and this grows in my front yard. I will definitely paint this Rose again when it blooms in spring time.

Painting completed 8/15/2021

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Camille Pissarro Rose, 10x8 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper 140lbsColdpress

Code# PK_21_005
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com

For You

My first painting of year 2021...

This is an experimental painting - I wanted to try out a more loose and colorful style for a Portrait. Got inspired after watching David Lobenberg demo video... Mine is nowhere close to his style, I wanted to try out my own way of being colorful. I enjoyed painting it and had very happy with it. I also loved the way how this little girl is giving a flower to her Mom or Dad or maybe GrandParents..

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For You - 30 x 19 inches, Watercolor on 140 lbs Arches paper

Code# PK_21_001
Available - Contact preranap@hotmail.com