Indian Digital Art - Lotus Pond - digital painting

Lotus Pond 

digital painting

size 9x12 inches

indian digital art

Iron Gate - Digital Painting

Iron Gate

digital painting 

size 10x7

Digital Painting - Flower Bouquet

7"x12" digital artwork

7"x12" digital artwork

I tried my hand on the new digital media, and came up with two paintings of a flower bouquet.  It is a wonderful experience to learn this new media called 'digital painting'.  This media is a vast ocean by itself, and may take more than a few life times to master it - I think.  Marvelous experience. 

  I would really appreciate comments on these studies.  

A little bit scared that this media may manipulate me away from the 'real thing'. -- Or should I go with the times.  

Impressions of Ooty Lake 2 - Indian Impressionist landscape painting

Impressions of Ooty Lake 2

size: 9"x13" inches

medium: acrylic on hand-made paper.  

A wonderful 3 month break has really pumped up the creative juices, and I cannot wait to put them all on canvas.  The US visit has made me hook on to a new media called the 'digital media'.  I am at present working on them and hope to post some of them very soon on my blog.       

Impressions of the Ooty Lake 1 Abstracted style in Indian Landscape paintings

I introduced a little bit of abstraction in this landscape painting, which is a view of the banks of the Ooty Lake.  This is one of a series of   indian paintings of landscapes of Ootachamand  (Ooty)  - the popular hill station town of South India.



Impressions of the Ooty Lake painting
size:  9x13 inches
medium: acrylic on hand-made paper

Abstraction in this realistic painting is achieved by keeping details to the minimum, and by creating visible brush strokes. 

THANKS

The last couple of months have been over whelming for me, as acknowledgement have been coming in from various branches of the art world, including bloggers, site owners, online magazines, and fellow artists as well.  As an artist, I feel blessed, and wish to thank all of them for their kindness.

Bridal Wear

'SPARK' is a non-commercial online magazine which featured my artwork in their July issue.  Two paintings namely ''Bridal Wear' and 'Portrait of a bride' made way into their pages under the caption of 'Tying the Knot'.

Click  HERE to read the article.
Click on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spark/240605447679?sk=wall to become a fan of  'Spark' on facebook.

Smile Plz

   Scarlet canvas is an online art community that helps artists to pursue their passions without the tensions of finding potential buyers for their artwork.  I feel honored to be chosen by them and even allotted a webpage dedicated to my artworks.

Click on http://www.scarletcanvas.com/usha-shantaram.html to view the page.  
Click on  http://www.facebook.com/scarletcanvas  to become a fan of Scarlet canvas on facebook.  

Creative Blogger Award

Thanks to Anandi Rajan a wonderful arts and crafts specialist who has kindly presented me with a 'Kreative Blogger' award.  Her creativitly shines through in her artworks that range from murals to jewellery, paintings, pencil shading, e-cards, and gardening ideas.  Click on http://www.anandhirajansartsncrafts.blogspot.com/ to view her creativity in all these fields.




As this is a rolling trophy, it is my pleasure to pass the award on to artist Prabha Narayan.  Prabha Narayan a  self-taught artist based in Bangalore, India. Her fascination towards illustrations started in school while nurturing a passion in art. In the past decade, she did graphic designing in Mumbai & Bangalore. She has been actively painting for two years.  Click on http://prabhanarayanan.blogspot.com/ to view her blog, and on http://www.prabhanarayanan.com/index.htm to view her website.


Lastly but not the least, thanks to Prince Freakasso who awarded me with a 'Super Creative' award on facebook.  He is a fine artist himself, and you can click on http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000332917180  to view his profile and artworks on facebook.

Bamboo Grove - Indian Contemporary Impressionism - landscape painting

Bamboo Grove

en plein air painting done at Lal Bagh - Bengaluru

36"x24" inch

acrylic on canvas

Framed view of 'Bamboo Grove' - as displayed at 'The Drawing Room Musings' - group art show held at Chitra Kala Parishad from 16th to 25th May 2011.

Painting of Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - contemporary impressionism - usha shanthraram

'Siesta' - a view of  Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. 

acrylic painting on canvas -

size 32x24 inch

white frame

I had a clear idea of what colors to use, what format to adopt, and how to create the illusion of moving waters - much before I started on this painting. But, it was the serene atmosphere, tranquility and a sense of peace that I wanted to project - because that is what I felt that afternoon, when I was really there - at the Ranganthittu Bird Sancturay.  

It took me just 2 days to finish this painting, and I never felt the need to retouch it even for minor changes - after that.  

View of 'Siesta' painting, framed in white and displayed at Chitra Kala Parishad  at  the group art show called 'The Drawing Room Musings'.  

BIRD HAVEN - Indian Impressionist Landscapes - usha shantharam

BIRD HAVEN - acrylic on canvas - 24"x32"

A visit to the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway was like visiting the 'Bird World' on planet earth.  A different experience altogether.  One could spend hours on the banks of the Cauvery River watching all kinds of birds from the pure white pelicans, to the jet black bats hanging upside down on the trees. 

One particular spot was very much like a bird haven crowned with the lighted edges of the tall bushes, and a large area of shadow on the river where the birds rested on tiny islands of rocks.  So the painting 'Bird Haven' came into being.  

I used umpteen varieties of blues and greens to achieve the effects of cast shadows and form shadows in this painting.  The result is a shimmering blue-green painting which has caught many a viewer to spend more than ten minutes watching it - during our recently concluded group art show - The Drawing Room Musings. 

A view of 'Bird Haven' framed  and displayed during the recently concluded group art show  

 'The Drawing Room Musings'.

Impressionist Landscapes - Indian - SUNRISE ON THE NILGIRIS

Sunrise on the Nilgiris

24"x32"

acrylic on canvas

framed 

This painting is a result of layering a number of blues and greens painted using the 'glazing' technique. 

Just tried to capture the beauty of the Nilgiri Hills from atop 'Fernhill' at Ooty, as no words could have explained the beauty of the moment. 

A view of the painting 'Sunrise on the Nilgiris' in a white frame, as displayed during the group show 'The Drawing Room Musings'.

M F Husain lives on - A painting tribute

He was a man who had lived life to the fullest, and has passed away today to live on forever. A painting tribute to him.  I did this portrait of him just now, even as I was watching about the news on TV

Two Paintings of views across Lal Bagh Lake - usha shantharam

Standing at any point on the radius of the Lal Bagh Lake gives a breathtaking view of the opposite side of the Lake's bank.  

Two such views are the paintings of  'Jogger's Pathway' and ' The Lakeview Reflections' done in a panoramic format. 

Jogger's  Pathway

oil on canvas

12"x24" 

framed

The jogger's path with a border of orange Jacuaranda trees in full blossom, and a fencing that is barely visible, throws a colorful reflection on the almost still waters of the Lal Bagh Lake - disturbed only by a gentle breeze that blew delicate ripples on its surface.  Irresistable for any plein air painting aritst like me, this view soon became a painting .  

Lakeview Reflections

acrylic on canvas

12"x24" 

framed

The interesting design formed by the jogger's path on the left, the bridge, the S shaped curves of the palm tree and the huge crowns of the trees on the island -  all these combined with its ditto reflection on the almost still waters of the Lal Bagh Lake inspired me into painting this breathtaking view 'en plein air'.  

A view of both these paintings - now framed; as displayed during the recently concluded group art show 'The Drawing Room Musings'.    

Invitation to 'THE DRAWING ROOM MUSINGS' group art show

You are invited 

Click on 'THE DRAWING ROOM MUSINGS'  to view the paintings displayed at the show. 

Usha's Fine Art Creations - blog features in about.com

I am very pleased to annouce that my response to about.com's call for readers submissions  in their -   Online business/hosting section, has been selected and published in their site about.com  .    Click  HERE  to read the article. 

Recently about.com had called for readers submissions regarding blogging for business, where they asked to write about how I got to setup a blog and what topics I cover in it and also the lessons I have learnt through blogging till now.  All these topics are covered in this article.  You can read about my experience as a blogger HERE . 



In the meantime, my students and I are busy getting ready for our upcoming show in Chitra Kala Parishad starting 16th May 2011 to 255h May 2011.  

From now onwards my future  posts will be dedicated to featuring each one of my art students - (all soft ware proffesssionals :)-  ), who will be taking part in the forthcoming show.  It is a great way to get knowing these budding young artists who are amazingly creative and talented.  


Here is one for the road - below is one of my paintings which will be exhibited at our May 2011 group show.  -

       'Sunlight Peeping' 30"x24" inches - oil painting on canvas.

My next Exhibition scheduled for a mid May release.

                                 'Shadows at Noon'  - size- 24x30 inch

In reply to the many mails I have received regarding my recent break in blogging - here is great news and I am very very excited about it.    Dates for my next exhibition has been scheduled for a mid May release.  Starting 16th of May 2011, through 25th May 2011 at the 'Chitra Kala Parishad' Bangalore.

It is going to be a group show which will showcase fine artworks of my students of art.  All of my students happen to be software proffesionals which makes it even more exciting. Obviously they are all extrememly talented in more ways than one.

A few of my paintings too will be finding their place here and there I think.  My students are all so excited about the exhibition  -  just like I am!  You can look forward to more soon. 

Displayed above is a sample teaser painting for you.  - An Indian Landscape  ( Lal Bagh of Bangalore - a plein air painting )  done in  Impressionist style.

The Herd Series - Duck Meet

DUCK MEET

Here is another painting of the fascinating ducks creating ripples in the water.  This time they are in a meeting. 

This is an acrylic painting on paper of size 9x12.

The Herd series - Duck Journey

DUCK JOURNEY

This dainty herd is a group of ducks that were swimming in the Lal Bagh Lake one evening.  I loved the soft ripples that were caused because of their gliding.  I also noticed a lovely pattern that was formed in the ripples that inspired me into painting this artwork. 

This is an acrylic painting on paper of size 9"x12".

Painting of - THE PIG FAMILY

THE PIG FAMILY

Imagine my surprise when I saw these beauties for the first time one lazy morning on my way to the park for a walk.  And that too in the midst of the Bangalore city streets!   Just like me, the family of pigs were also having their daily morning walk.  Since then we meet everyday and say hello to each other!  Nowadays I look forward to my morning walks just to meet my piggy friends.  :)

It was a different experience to paint a cool morning light rather than the harsh sun and heavy shadows that usually comes my way.       

'The Herd 5 - The PIG family' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16". 

Hot Deals - painting is featured on 'Impressionism Cafe' group home page - on Fine Art America website

HOT DEALS

I was immensely happy to know that my artwork 'Hot Deals' has been featured on the home page of  'Impressionism Cafe'  Group  on Fine Art America website.   

Thanks to Karon Mellilo de la Vega - the group administrator who has chosen my artwork 'Hot Deals' and a few other artworks by talented artists -  among thousands of submitted Impressionist artworks.   Now I have a permanent feature in the discussion forum topic ' Impression Cafe Featured Artists - 12th Sept 2010.   

Painting of 'The Donkey Herd'

THE DONKEY HERD

As the sun was almost overhead and behind the herdsman, I painted only his silhoutte.  The yellow colord plastic water pots were glowing in the sun.  The donkeys as usual - were doing the donkey's work.   

'The Donkey Herd' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 16"x12".    To buy prints of my paintings on Fine Art America, click on

india paintings

Painting of - WALK ON THE HIGHWAY

WALK ON THE HIGHWAY

Painting tiny people walking away into a distance was a challenge.  I had to create an illusion of saree clad women and panche clad man and a boy, all of them in motion, and also giving the impression of them guiding a herd of donkeys, which is not even visible in the painting.  Probably the lone donkey on the left gives a boost to the imagination.   Apart from this, creating the illusion of harsh sunlight hitting the backs causing dark shadows to fall on the earth was also a pleasure to paint.  

The Herd 2 is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12'x16".  

'Glass Vase' still life acrylic painting

GLASS VASE

My collector from Patna purchsed the 'Glass Vase' painting after seeing a picture of it in the 'Paintings for All'  blog .  So I asked him after the painting was delivered, how he liked it.     I was very pleased when he wrote to me saying that he rated a 110 out of 100 after seeing it in real life.  Thanks to him, my day was made.   

This is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 6"x8".  This painting was done during a real still life project, whicn I set up for my ART CLASS students, and I too decided to paint it. 

Painting of SHEPHERD ON THE HIGHWAY

SHEPHERD ON THE HIGHWAY

The shepherd leading his herd of sheep is a common sight on our multi-purpose roads.  Note the hay spread on the road to dry - so many uses for our roads apart from vehicular traffic use.   The Indian roads are definitely worth every paisa of tax payers' money.   

This is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16".

'Morning Shadows' Oil painting on canvas

MORNING SHADOWS

I have been occupied with a couple of family functions during the last month, and hence the gap in blogging; although my mind was constantly on it.     

But I have been busy painting too, with this landscape painting, and also a  portrait of my father, whch you can see by clicking on my PORTRAIT COLLECTIONS.   

This painting is another gem of a view of an old tree that I used to see during my morning walks around the Mysore University Campus grounds.  'Morning Shadows' is an oil painting of size 23"x30 done in an impressionist style. 

'En Plein Air' painting at Lal Bagh Bangalore

It is always a refreshing change to paint in the open air to cut the monotony from studio painting.        On the 8th of June 2010, I led my art class to the Lal Bagh of Bangalore for an experience of 'en plein air' painting, and took the opportunity to do some plein air painting myself.      The finished artwork is an acrylic painting of size 12x16 on stretched canvas. 

                               We chose to sit in the shade, by the lakeside - to paint, and decided to capture the beautiful reflections of the palm trees on the lake.  The red flowers of the Jacaranda trees on the left provided all the color, and the larger trees on the island at the right that had a halo of birds above was irresistable.    Here is the painting at the under-painting stage. 

Here is me painting away during the day on my pochade box.  The large audience that was cheering us throughout the 'plein air' session was a bonus experience.    Please click on  Usha's Art Class to see more pictures on this event.   

Abstract Landscape Painting

ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE

This Abstracted Landscape  is an acrylic painting on white paper of size 11"x7.5". 

Sunrays Peeping - Indian Landscape oil painting - Impressionist style

SUNRAYS PEEPING

The beautiful natural park surrounding the Mysore University Campus, is a great place to catch the sunrays peeping through the tall trees. 

I was paticularly interested in painting the almost-silhouted trees against the direct rays of the sun.  The trunks of the trees seemed to be glowing in the warm sunlight. 

This is an oil painting on canvas of size 24"x30" done in Impressionist style.

Buddha Oil Painting - PEACE AND TRANQUILITY -YOUNG BUDDHA

YOUNG BUDDHA - PEACE AND TRANQUILITY

I have seen many artistic versions of the Lord Buddha, and found one thing in common - Peace. 

In my version of Lord Buddha, I have attempted exactly this - to create an atmosphere of Peace and Tranquitly. I decided on a young Buddha with calmness radiating in the face, seated in the 'Dhyana Mudra' in a green forest,  where the deer are feeding on the grass without fear of hunters. 

This is an oil painting on canvas of size 24"x32". 

Art and Social Media - Workshop

I have been so ingrossed on a new oil painting this January, that I had little time for much else.

But I did manage to squeeze in time to attend an interesting workshop calleed  'Art and Social Media' on a Mid January weekend. The workshop was conducted by  ---  Anita Garimella   Internet &Software Product Management & Marketing Executive and Real Estate Developer.  She is also the co-founder of Infinity International Invesments, LLC - Greater Philedelphia. 

She spoke of  Social Medias like the Facebook and Twitter that have become a boon nowadays for artists and others. She discussed on the opportunities, challenges, and the good ways to use such social networks for promoting Art purposes.  Very interesting was her case studies on art and social media where she discussed about many popular Art websites.  She also dealt with Democratizaion of Art through social media, about virality, and also the legal part such as copyright issues. 

The 'Art and Social Media' workshop was an initiative by Annapoorna Garimella Art Historian and Designer; and managing trustee of A.R.T registered charitable Trust. 

About A.R.T :- Art, Resources and Teaching Trust is located at Andree Road Shanthi Nagar - Bangalore - It is a Library and Archive for the Visual and built Arts in India, well equipped with an amazing collection of books, maps, slides and DVDs.
 
A.R.T. promotes research, pedagogy and discourse on the visual and built arts. They invite academics, practioners and students to access their resources and contribute to the organization. 

The weekend was well spent doublely, as I also got to meet many new people and enjoyed a comraderie interaction during the workshop, in addition to the great food that A.R.T had arranged for. :) 

In the meantime my new painting is almost ready to be posted on my blog.  Look forward to - 'Peace and Tranquility - Buddha'  my first oil painting for 2010 -  in my next post,

Happy New Year - Twenty Ten

Wishing All a very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year- 2010.

Lets Welcome Twenty Ten with a Positive mind, and a smile on our faces for our fellow human beings; and make our world a wonderful place to live in.

A special mention of heart-felt 'Thanks' to all my Collectors, Subscribers, Followers and vsitors to my blog, for their spontaneous and very kind feedback-comments.
I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart; and love to keep hearing from you always, as it is a great feeling that makes me feel worth living. :)