Gopura Dharshana in temple town

'Gopura Dharshana' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16". This is a panoramic view of a Temple Gopura in Virajpet town -Coorg -  adjoining the highway road.

The view is from atop hill, on a lazy sunny afternoon.

Teppa ride

'Teppa ride' is a an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16".

The evening sunlight that is refecting on the river inbetween the two theppas inspired me into making this painting.

A 'teppa' is an organic boat made out of leaves and branches of trees, and round in shape. The boatmen can rotate the boat; making it a beautiful experience for the travellers.

Review in 'Bangalore Mirror'

It is a great feeling of joy and pride whenever the newspaper media rcognises my work.

The 'Bangalore Mirror' carried a write-up on the upcoming elite artists of Bangalore - in their 2nd anniversary issue dated June 8 2009. I was the only female artist featured in this article, that covered sculpture, photography and fine artists.

Painting of Sunny Road

'Sunny Road' is an acrylic painting of a near desolate road during a lazy mid- afternoon day. The sun is right over head, casting dark shadows just below the bike riders.

'Sunny afternoon' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16".

For purchase options, please click HERE

Painting of 'Fly Over' - Bannergatta Fly Over.

I have been quite busy for th past few months with the 'Body Language' solo exhibition in February; and the 'Prathibimba' group exhibition in May. (both 2009)

Now, I have switched back to the 'painting' mode; which is where I feel most comfortable!

Here is the latest. A view of the vehicular traffic at the Bannerughatta Flyover is most interesting. The beautiful curves of the flyover itself was inspiration enough for me.

After which I concentrated on the bright sunlight and the shadows cast by the vehiclular traffic. More challenging, was to paint the silhouttes of the bike riders, because the bright sunlight had made their bodies almost transluscent! I really enjoyed painting this cityscape.

This is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16". Please click HERE for purchase options.

media reports on 'Prathibimba' group art show

The Newspaper media has been very kind to our group show. Leading dailies Bangalore Mirror, The Indian Express, The Times of India, Andra Jyothi, Enaadu, Rajastan Patrika are some of the newspapers who had covered about us. To read media reviews, and to see paintings displayed, please click 'Prathibimba group art show'.

The review in Andra Jyothi was a pleasant surprise for me. This article written in simple and catchy Telugu, and is presented by an artist of great calibre called Akbar. Akbar is a Hyderabad based artist, who also writes articles on art in leading Telugu daily Andra Jyothi.

Akbar is a self taught artist and his artworks have been exhibited worldwide, in solo shows in New York -U.S.A, Hyderabad and participated in many Group shows. His works are in the private collection of celebrity personalities - Padamshri Mittal, Shri K.R. Narayan ( past-president of India), The Harward University - U.S.A and many more collectors in India and abroad. He has also contributed to Telugu Litereture with his Cover Paintings, Cover Designs to Poetry, Fiction and Nonfictions Books.

His paintings are at present displayed in a 'Group show of Hyderabad artists' and you can see them by clicking on 'Art Maestros' Art Gallery - New Delhi.

Paintings by APSA children

I was requested to distribute the prizes to the children who had taken part in the art workshop conducted by my friend and fellow aritst Sujata Tibrewala. Sujata (beside me) and M/s Shiela Devraj - Director APSA.

The APSA - ( association for promoting social action) Dream school children come from a deprived background like street children, rag pickers, newspaper boys, household servants, child labourors and generally children in distress. APSA gives them the education and opportunities that any normal child would have had at their age. The paintings were very expressive of their feelings.

Here is a well executed painting by Rajiv, an APSA child. He said that he wanted to see more birds like these flying in his neigbourhood of Vibhithipura lake, which is a sanctuary for rare migratory birds.

Click Pratibimba the Renaissance Group show to take a photo tour of the show, see more paintings by us and the APSA children.

Painting of 'Potfull of bounty'

Beautiful orange flowers sprouting out of a small mud pot is the subject matter of this painting. What was very interesting to me was the play of sunlight and shadows involved here.

'Potfull of (nature's) bounty is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x 16".

For purchase options, please click 'HERE'.

A group show with a difference - Children's art works displayed along with accomplished arists' works

My friend and fellow-artist Sujata Tibrewala came up with this idea of show casing children's art works with our own.

Why not? I thought at first- it is a novel idea. Age no bar in art! But when I came to know who these children were, I decided it was a noble idea as well.

Sujata has been conducting an art workshop for the APSA dream school children for the past couple of months; trying to bring out their latent talent.

These children are taken care of by the community development organisation called APSA ( Association for Promoting Social Action) which focuses on the development of urban slums. These children have once been street children, rag pickers, newspaper boys, household servants, child labourors and generally children in distress. APSA gives them the education and opportunities that any normal child would have had at their age.

Showcasing my artworks along with these children's artworks is indeed an honour for me.

An added social cause is - that a part of the sales proceeds will be given to 'Uthkarsh Residents Initiative'; a social organisation that works to reclaim the Vibhuthipura Lake Bangalore; which is a home for migratory birds.

Certainly this double noble cause is enough reason for my next show which will be a group show called 'Prathibimba' at the prestigious 'Renaissance Art Gallery' Bangalore.

If you happen to be in this part of the world, please do visit the show, to see a variety of artworks done by these children along with abstracts and realistcs from the seniors (Sujata and me).

THE INVITATION

INVITATION to 'PRATHIBIMBA'' group art exhibition, showcased in aid of the revival of 14 acres of Vibhutipura lake. Bangalore.

This art show will exhibit artworks done by the APSA DREAM SCHOOL children; artists SUJATA TIBREWALA and USHA SHANTHARAM.

Venue: RENAISSANCE ART GALLERY

http://www.renaissancegallerie.com/

104,Westminster,

13, Cunningham Road

Bangalore - 560052.
From 9th May to 13th May 2009

Timiings 11 a.m to 7 p.m

Sunday - 11 a.m to 3 p.m

INAUGURATION

By Chief Guest: Shri Nandiesh Reddy MLA
Inauguration time: Saturday 9th May at 11 a.m.

Guest of Honour: Maj Gen (Dr) Anju Manchanda

VSM C.A.O Vydehi Institute or Medical Sciences and Research Center. Lake Warden - Vibhuthipura Lake.

Host Dignitary: Ms Shiela Devraj - Director APSA

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

APSA DREAM SCHOOL CHILDREN- (Association for Promoting Social Action) is a grass roots community development organization that provides children in distress - like street children and child laborers; with proper education and exposure; to bring about awareness in them. Prathibimba conducted an art workshop for these children to bring out their latent talent. The resultant paintings will be displayed at the show, and the proceeds of which will go to APSA.
http://www.apsaindia.org/

SUJATA TIBREWALA - Her artworks reflect the deep understanding of myriad emotions and feelings drawn from her own experiences, which are beautifully depicted in her paintings.
Ph 9845126951
http://www.prathibimba.in/

USHA SHANTHARAM (thats me)! - She paints from contemporary real life, as she believes that it is the truest form of expression.

VIBHUTHIPURA LAKE
A part of the proceeds of this event will be used for the ‘Utkarsh Residents Initiative’ .to reclaim the Vibuthipura Lake, which is home to rare migratory birds, but off late has been encroached upon and used as dumping ground for debris from construction sites. Incidentally, it is also in the vicinity of APSA premises.

Please come with family and friends.

Luv Bagh - finished 'en plein air' painting done in Lal Bagh Bangalore

Here is the finished painting of 'Luv Bagh', the outcome of the 'en plein air' camp organised by Bangalore Art Forum at Lal Bagh (park) in Bangalore

Capturing the essence of the scene was my goal. The atmosphere here was so tranquil and peaceful with the sun peeping through the trees here and there and a gentle breeze in the air.

Perhaps this inspired the lovers seated on the bench, as they had become so lost in time.

I was quite unprepared of the fast travelling sun and the shadows caused by it, but managed to finish most of the painting, and later completed it in my studio back home.

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

Please click HERE for purchase options.

'Plein Air' Painting camp at Lal Bagh organised by - Bangalore Art Forum

March 27th was a very memorable day for me. Not only because it was our Telugu New Year - Ugadi, but also because I spent most of the day at Lal Bagh - Bangalore, doing what I like most in my life- namely painting.

We, the members of 'Bangalore Art Forum' met at Lal Bagh on this day and completed our first activity namely 'plein air painting' successfully; as scheduled.

It was a very pleasant day, as only Bangalore is blessed with such a wonderful climate; as far as I know. Painting the nature under the shadow of the trees with a gentle breeze blowing against the face, and with six other artiists for company was an exhilerating experience. Artists who painted along with me are senior aritist Jagdish Kadur, Jyothirmoy (founder), Subodh, Sankar and Prabha.

'Plein Air' painting as it is popularly called in French; actually means 'painting nature on location'. It is the ultimate challenge for artiists of the realistic school of art to do this. I am looking forward to many more activities that is going to make our 'Bangalore Art Forum' a grand success.

Paintings of the White Gladiolus flower

These white Gladioli were so beautiful, that I was tempted to capture their beauty on canvas.

Hence a couplet painting originated. These paintings are done in acrylics on canvas of size 8"x13" each.

Write up in 'Enaadu' Telugu newspaper

I am extremely thrilled about this write-up on me, published in the Bangalore edition of the Telugu newspaper 'Enaadu' on 26-02-2009.

Star painting of 'Body Language art show - 'Woman picking rice'

Star painting 'Woman picking rice' which was picked up by a collector within hours of putting up display on the first day.

Click HERE to see all the paintings displayed at the 'Body Language' art exhibition.

Reminiscing about the art show Body Language

Exhibiting artworks in a gallery is a great ecperience for an artist because there is a first hand feed back for the artworks.

I was very happy to see visitors spending tens of minutes on each painting, viewing in silence and peace, or engaged in discussion abt the painting with a partner, while some of them took photographs with permission. But what warmed me was the fact that quite a few of them were profuse in telling me how they were affected by the paintings.

I had set up a guest book at the show and many of the visitors have written their comments on it.
Some favourites of mine ---

---- 'Very nice work. Something different, which common people like us can understand, feel it personally. I felt that each and every piece of work has touched my life somewhere. Its a part of my eveyday life.'

---'Actually I am also an artist, but these paintings are amazing. I am surprized and very happy to see these paintings. Excellent body language is shown here. Hats off to Usha madam. I am ur fan.'

---'One of my sights on paintings led me thru' a 'journey of life' . I never knew that the normal ubiquitous postcards in life can be translated through the brushes, thanks to M/s Usha for giving us such beautiful paintings. I say - simply great.'

----'Very down to earth works. You have done something which most of the artists ignore to do. ie., day to day life events. Really appreciate it'.

----'With all the chaos that modern art brings.... its such a relief , pleasure to see that you have actually captured the essence of India in all its splendour.

----'It is an experience no words can explain.'

Celebrities

Renowned senior fine-artist BKS Varma, and senior wild-life photographer Dr.Harinarayan Salunky gracing my show with blessings.

Painting of 'Reminiscing' - Body Language series

'Reminiscing' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 20"x16". Popular painting at the 'Body Language' art show.

Painting of School boy - Body Language series

'School boy' is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 20"x20". Popular painting at the 'Body Language' art show.

Painting of 'Hot deals" body Language series

'Hot deals' is an acrylic painting of size 24"x30". A typical everyday scene of an Indian roadside market-place where all the deals take place in the hot sun (pun) hence the 'hot deals'.

Painting of 'Panche' - Body Language series.

'Panche'/white dhoti is a traditional attire of the South Indians even to day. Most comfortable dress -the men swear! Folding the panche whenever u want is a great advantage.

Whatever the case, one thing is for sure. It is certainly one of a kind dress. 'Panche' is an acrylic painting of a South Indian man wearing a white dhoti folded for convenience; in the hot sun represented by the bright orange color, and the direct shadow below in red, indicating that the sun is at noon.

Painting of the 'pensive' man. - Body Language series.

The body language of a man lost in thoughts is a very interesting sight. At such times, he gets oblivious to his surroundings, and sometimes does not even realise that people are talking to him. 'Pensive' is a painting of one such man wearing a transparent shirt, and hands in pockets, his body language showing his pensive mood.

Pensive is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 20"x16" belonging to the 'Body Language' series.

Potrait painting of 'The Golden Lady' - Body language series

I was mesmerized by the 'body languge of this lady in her 'Golden Years'. The smile on her face and the casual attitude of holding a steel tumbler (glass) in her hands made me feel that - here is one lady, who has finished all her duties of life, now settled down enjoying her life with a sip of hot coffee.

'The golden lady - 2' is an acrylic painting of size 20"x16", that will be on display at my art show in Chitra Kala Parishad Bangalore - from 1st to 8th Feb.

Painting of Indian women wearing sarees and flowers

Women in Sarees wearing flowers

I find that the Indian saree coupled with the strand of jasmine flowers worn by the Indian woman is the most unique attire in the world. It can only be carried off by the Indian ladies with such great ease of style.

Such a common sight in India, but how many of us have the time for a second look. It gave me great pleasure doing this painting.

'Indian women in sarees and flowers' is an acrylic painting of size 16"x20".
This painting will be on show from 1st to 8th Feb 2009 at Chitra Kala Parishad - Bangalore.

'The cart vendor' and 'Mason' - 'Body Language' series - The Indian scene

'Out' and 'The tendor coconut vendor' -Body Language series - The Indian scene

Preparing for 'Body Language' art show

For the past few days I have been busy getting ready for my art show 'Body Language' to be held from 1st to 8th Feb 2009, at 'Chitra Kala Parishad' art complex at Bangalore India.

Designing my invitation for the show has been an interesting part of the preparation. I enjoyed it as much like doing a painting. Then came the covers, and then the printing, and then the mailing list, and so on and on. Not to mention the final touches of the paintings, and making sure I have signed on all my paintings.

An interesting part of the show is that I am yet to see how people take to realistic paintings, in this day of abstracts. I decided to test this by putting up the short video of a 'sneak peek' at my paintings on various Indian art sites like the 'Indian Art News', and the new 'Freedom of expression movement' sites, and was pleased to see there has been positive response from fellow arists.

With just ten more days to go for the exhibition, I have decided to upload my newest works on to my blog for the benefit of my email subscribers local and abroad; and for those who will not be able to make it personally to the show.
So my subscribers can expect almost an email a day; of my latest paintings of the 'Body Language' series in the following couple of weeks. Happy viewing, and hope u enjoy the paintings as much as I enjoyed painting them.

GREETINGS 2009

LET US WELCOME THE NEW YEAR WITH A SMILE!

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR 2009

'SMILE PLZ' - oil painting - 12"x16"

Cap on Cap off

T he year 2008 will soon come to an end paving way for the new year 2009.

This is couplet painting of a young boy happily showing off his cap. Acrylics on canvas, size 16"x20".

Cricket painting - the batsman

In India, cricketing is great passion, and almost a way of life for some.

I remember listening to radio commentaries of cricket during my college days, which has greatly contributed to the popularity of cricket in India even to this day. Today there are exclusive TV channels dedicated to the cricket game.

It is only natural that I decided to do a cricket painting to add to my 'Body Language' series.

'The Batsman' is an acrylic painting of size 12"x16"done in fauvist style with vivid colors. Here the focus is on the body language of the batsman who is leaning forward, poised to face the ball. But the batsman's bat is not actually visible except in the shadow, indicating its presence.

Painting of The Cart Vendor

This is a painting of an Indian Cart Vendor pushing his cart with his wares. He is wearing the usual head dress that protects him from the hot sun, and is in a folded lungi and a white shirt.

The background of this painting is abstracted and done with the 'glazing' technique to give the wonderful rich green color. Whereas the turban and shirt is done with the 'impasto' technique.

This is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16" readied for the 'Body Lanuage' show.