How to paint an Apple - Demo video

A simple demo video I made on 'How to paint an apple'.  Watch me paint a simple apple using acrylic paints on canvas with a single brush.  Simple and easy,  good for beginners and children.

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. 

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.