White Daisies - Greeting Card

White Daisies

Greeting Card

Digital Painting

Click HERE to purchase this card

New Year Card - Purple Foliage

Purple Foliage

New Year Card

Digital Painting

To purchase this card  click HERE 

Bharatha Naatyam 1

Bharatha Naatyam 1

Acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

On display at the 'LAYA' group art show at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery

Click HERE to purchase a print of this painting.

Bharatha Naatyam 2

Bharatha Naatyam 2

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

on display at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery

Click HERE to purchase a print of this painting

Bharatha Naatyam 3

Bharatha Naatyam

Acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

Click HERE to purchase a print of this painting.

on display at Chitra Kala Parishath

Namaskaaramu - in Kuchupidi - painting by Usha Shantharam

Namaskaaramu - in Kuchupidi

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

LAYA series of classical dancers - paintings

Exhibited at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery - Bengaluru.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - in Kuchupidi - painting by Usha Shantaram

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - in Kuchupidi

size: 36x36 inches

Acrylic painting on stretched canvas

on display at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - This painting is special to me for two reasons. 

1. Mahishaasura Mardini is an incarnation of Goddess Durga who had slayed the Demon Mahishaasura to save the people from his cruel ways. We celebrate this win of the Goddess - good over the evil - during the Navrathri festival every year for 10 days.  

This painting happened to get displayed at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery on the first day of Navrathri Festival. 

2.  Another reason for this painting being special to me -   Even at the under- painting level during the making of this painting, I got a call from London BBC World News Hangout requesting me to take part in a live online Hangout on BBC, to discuss the topic 'What makes Art Iconic'.  

It was a wonderful experience to be discussing - 'What makes art iconic' with four other illustrious artists from around the world, with the painting Mahishaasura Mardini displayed at the background.   This  program was hosted by none other than Mr.Will Gompertz - BBC Arts Editor, and Mr. Benjamin Zand - producer/BJ at BBC World. 

I was extremely happy when Mr.Benjamin Zand referred to my painting as - 'wonderful piece of art' during the show. ( at 14.30 min) 

 I will remember this day forever. 

You can watch the BBC World News Hangout on YouTube Here. 

Shringaar Ras - Odissi painting.

I have always loved the grace and style of Odissi dancers.  Typical dress code being the Mogra flower crown and the waist band.

Smooth movements along with the 'Bhava' (facial expressions) make this dance style a favorite of mine. Odissi dancing by this beautiful couple during the 'Kahajurao Festival of Dance' was a pleasure to watch.

Shringaar Ras

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

LAYA series of paintings

Displayed at the 'LAYA' group art show at Chitra Kala Parishath Oct 2013.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro - LAYA series of classical dancers painting

The 'Bhava' (expression on face) of the male dancer reveals his love and admiration for Lord Krishna.  I was reminded of the song 'Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro, which became the natural title of this painting.

Painting a male dancer was interesting. A wide neck, broad shoulders and slim hips - all were opposites to painting of a female person - and yet dancing with such dignified ease and grace caught my attention as I watched this dancer perform at the 'Khajuraho Festival of Dance'.

Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

ready to hang, framing optional

Size: 24x36 inches

This is one of the seven paintings I had displayed at the 'LAYA' - Rhythms of Nature and Dance - Group Art Show held at Chitra Kala Parishad from 4th to 10th Oct 2013.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Inauguration of 'LAYA' group art show.

It was a lovely evening on the 4th Oct 2013, with 200+ guests gracing the inauguration of our group show called 'LAYA' - Rhythms of Nature and Dance.

The five faced Lamp was lighted by Dr. B L Shankar- President Chitra Kala Parishath, Sri DK Chowta - general secretary Chitra Kala Parishath, Eminent artist Sri Prahalad, Sri Kiran Subraminiam- classical dancer/artistic director of Rasika Arts Foundation and Srimathi Usha P Rai - Kannada writer/artist - respectively.

This was followed by welcoming of the guests and the introduction of the artists by Usha Shantharam (myself) . Our illustrious guests were introduced and honored by Shyamala Ramanand, Asha Sudhakar Shenoy, Usha P Rai and Kavitha Prasanna. All of us are the artists of LAYA - group art show.

The chief guests spoke and encouraged us artists to keep up the good work, and to present more shows. Then they did the round up of all our paintings and had many good words of praise for our works.

This was followed by high Tea and many wonderful appreciation from our guests and a few sales too.

Here are some photos of the inauguration ceremony.

Artists of 'LAYA' group art show

left to right

Usha Rai, Kavitha Prasanna, Usha Shantharam (myself), Asha Sudhakar Shenoy and Shyamala Ramanand. 

'Melange' - art show at the Sublime Gallery Bengaluru - in aid of ISPTD

It is a heart filling experience to help in our own small way in aid of the needy. I did my bit by donating a painting of mine, in aid of ISPTD. ( Indian Society for Performers and Teachers of Dance).

Priced at a very affordable 20K, my painting 'Shadows at Noon' is displayed at 'Melange' group art show at Sublime Gallery which is situated on the 8th floor of UB City on Vittal Malya Road, Bengaluru.

The collector who purchases this painting will not only be enjoying the beautiful 'impressionist' landscape on his/her walls, but will also have the satisfaction of having helped the needy, as the proceeds of the sale of this painting will be utilized for the aid of ISPTD.

The 'Melange' art show started on 13th Sept 2013, and will be on show through 10th Oct 2013.

Shadows at Noon

acrylic painting on canvas

size 24x36 inches

This is an 'impressionist landscape' of the beautiful Mysore University campus done 'en plein air'. 

A Hen - Painting

A Hen

acrylic painting on canvas

size 13x9 inches

Purchase a print  

Painting birds and animals have always been refreshing to my mind. Loved this hen because of her proud and confident stance. Hence she became a painting.  

Have been busy getting prepared for a forthcoming group show to be held in October at Chitra Kala Parishad Bengaluru.  Will give more information in my next post. Until then.  

Thrilled to be on 'BBC World News Hangout' - What makes Art Iconic - discussion with BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz

I was so thrilled on 5th June 2013 afternoon, when I received a call from London - BBC News worldwide - inviting me to take part in a discussion on 'What makes Art iconic' on BBC News Hangout.  I could not believe at first that the famous British Broadcast journalist/producer Benjamin Zand was speaking to me on the phone. I thought at first that someone was playing a prank, but I am really happy now that I had decided to hear him out.

What a lovely topic. 'What makes Art Iconic' was hosted by the famous BBC Art editor Will Gompertz. Five artists from various parts of the world had been chosen, and I was selected from India!!!

I was hoping that my internet connection would not let me down during the Hangout, as it is erratic here sometimes.  At 6.30 pm the hangout had started, and my mic let me down. I could not take part in the first 20 min of the program. Luckily I was heard from the 23rd min onwards.

You can hear my comments on - What makes Art "iconic" at the 23rd min onwards. Also about whether artwork by women artists are valued lesser that their men counterparts was discussed, and you can watch   my views on this at 30min onwards.  The whole program was completed in 38 minutes time.

It was a wonderful experience to be discussing - 'What makes art iconic' with four other illustrious artists from around the world,  and the program hosted by none other than Will Gompertz - BBC Arts Editor, and Benjamin Zand - producer/BJ at BBC World. 

Note that Mr. Benjamin Zand has described my painting called 'Mahishaasura Mardini' (in the background behind me) as ' Wonderful piece of Art' at 14.30 min.  

My day was made, and I will remember this day forever. 

Marigold painting - Potted Bounty - in Rebecca Tripp music video.

Amazing Marigold Artwork and Waltz of the Marigolds by Rebecca Tripp

My painting 'Potted Bounty' can be viewed at 2.48 min.

Once again Rebecca Tripp - freelance music composer from British Columbia - Canada has created cheerful and happy 'Flower art music'. The chirping of birds in the background gives the feeling of sitting in a garden chair and enjoying the music of the 'Marigolds'.

This time her inspiration has been 'Marigold paintings' by artists all over the world. It is my pleasure to say that my painting called 'Potted Bounty' contributed to her inspiration ( in its own small way) for producing such peaceful and chirpy music. 

Potted Bounty

Marigold painting

acrylic on canvas

size 12x26 inches

Monkey Swing - monkey painting

Monkey Swing

acrylic painting on canvas

size 16x12 inches

Of late I have taken a fancy to the animalkind I think . I have been unconsciously choosing cows, and cats and now monkeys to paint.  

Their tails especially really fascinate me. I saw this baby monkey swinging on the tails of two other adult monkeys and appreciated this - monkey joint family system. Baby monkey looked so swingingly happy.  :).

Purchase a Print

Rebecca Tripp's Flower Waltz and Gladiolus Paintings -Usha Shantharam

Rebecca Tripp from British Columbia is a composer of wonderfully lilting music that creates a feeling of peace and calm in the mind. In her music project called 'Flower Waltzes' she has featured slide-show presentations of 'Flower paintings' by artists world over who have inspired her. 

I am happy to acknowledge that she has used a flower painting that I had done of 'White Gladiolus flowers', in her wonderfully soothing music video. 

Amazing artwork and

Waltz of the Delphinium Gladiolus and Hollihocks

"White Gladiolus Flowers' painting can be seen at 5.35 min, about the fourth last painting in the video.  

This painting is now in the private collection of an Art Collector from Pune. 

Mother and Child - painting

Mother and Child

acrylic painting on canvas

size:  12x9 inches

indian mother art

I always admire the way an Indian mother carries her child - however big he/she is.  Maybe it is time to walk for this child.

To Shopping with Mom

To Shopping with Mom
acrylic painting on canvas
size: 12x9 inches

indian culture art
The love of the parent for the child, and the trust of the child for the parent is an amazing and natural phenomena.

Amma's Grip Leads

Amma's Grip Leads

acrylic painting on canvas

size: 9x12 inches

india acrylic prints

First  painting on the year 2013. A mother's love and guidance is God's blessing to us. 

Happy New Year 2013 - Yellow daisies - painitng

Yellow Daisies

acrylic painting on paper

size: 12x16 inches

flora greeting cards

Wishing all a very Happy and Peaceful New Year 2013