PAINTING OF GANESHA

Ganesha

acrylic painting on wooden panel

size: 8x12 inches

It was a pleasure to lift the brush in my hands and apply the strokes of paint after a long break of almost 6 months. Naturally I started with Lord Ganesha. I painted this from a real still- life setting of a wooden sculpture of Lord Ganesha which has resulted in a 3D effect in the painting.   

Comfort Squat - digital painting

Comfort Squat

figurative painting

medium - digital

size 13x16

I have noticed this common squat posture among village people and found that they can sit like this for hours because they find it very comfortable.  Probably it is a healthy posture too. How long can you sit like this. 

The Taj Mahal

It has been some time since I posted on my blog. One reason being that I did not have an internet connection for a long time.  I hope to start posting regularly now, and paint a lot too.

The Taj Mahal may be the most photographed architectural wonder of India.  Unfortunately I still have not had the opportunity to visit Agra and see this absolutely wonderful marble construction in true life.  I have seen many wonderful photographs of the 'Taj Mahal' and wondered how it would look in real life.   Even more beautiful I am sure.

Nevertheless, it did not stop me from painting this wonder of the world, using photographic reference clicked by my daughter for me to paint.

Taj Mahal

acrylic painting on canvas paper

size:  9x13 inches

Abstract Landscape - digital media -Ranganthittu Bird Park

'Ranganthittu Bird Park' - Digital painting - Abstract Landscape

Ranganthittu Bird Park near Mysore - Landscape as viewed during a boat ride on the lake.  The Pelicans, Ducks, Herons and even the bats where a treat to watch.  

Virajpet Town - Telgur Street - Coorg painting

Virajpet Town

Telgur Street

acrylic on acrylic primed paper

size 12x16 inches

I was pleasantly surprised and happy when a facebook friend informed me that this painting reminded him of his happy childhood days spent at Telgur Street- Virajpet Town in Coorg. He even mentioned that his house was visible in the painting.  Click here http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=319208354796746&set=fp.1545216918.720666542&type=1&theater to view the thread on facebook.  If you are a Virajpet Lover you could even consider becoming a fan of his page on facebook called - 'Virajpet The Soul of Coorg'.  

The Shore Temple

Digital Painting

size 7x10 inches

print on canvas

Thicket - digital painting

The digital media can never stop to amaze me.  The opportunities for an artist to try out ideas is limitless.  Here is one of my favorite subjects - nature at its glory - just a clip of branches and leaves.

'Thicket'

digital art

size: 12x9 inches

Digital Painting of a 'Ther' - Temple Car

Ther

Digital Painting

size: 6x8

Meylum - drumming for auspicious occasions - digital painting

Meylum

digital painting

size 9x12 inches

The Meylum is a wonderful drum instrument played squatting on the ground comfortably- legs crossed. Having its roots in South India, this instrument is still played during weddings and auspicious occasions and in Temples along with the Naadaswaram (pipe instrument).  I decided to paint this digitally when I still have the chance to portray it, hoping that this fast dying art will live on forever. 

ARTWAVE group art show by 35 contemporary artists from Bengaluru

ArtWave has organized a group show at Chitra Kala Parishad - Kumara Krupa road, Bengaluru -- which starts 23rd March through 27th March 2012.  Timings 10am to 7pm.  

Plz visit this art show to feast your eyes and enjoy the creations of 35 different contemporary artists of Bengaluru.  I feel honored to be one of them. 

Inauguration by Artist Vijayan

On Display at Chitra Kala Parishad

Following are 5 of my paintings - from the 'Body Language' series that are on display at the 'Art Wave' group show.  

'Hot Deals'

framed

24x30 inches (measurement excluding frame)

acrylic on canvas 

'Boy on Bike'

framed

24x24 inches (measurement excluding frame)

acrylic on canvas 

'Reminiscing'

framed

16x20 inches (measurement excluding frame)

acrylic on canvas 

'White Collared'

framed

12x16 inches (measurement excluding frame)

acrylic on canvas 

'Woman washing Clothes'

framed

12x16 inches (measurement excluding frame)

acrylic on canvas 

For purchase enquiries, plz contact me by email at usetty@gmail.com or call 9343796153. 

Veil Woman - digital painting

'Veil Woman'

digital painting

Inkjet print on canvas

size: 10"x13" 

Man in Turban - digital painting

Man in Turban

digital painting on canvas

size: 12x16 inches

Body Language - digital series

         

Cosmos Flowers - digital painting

'Cosmos Flowers'

digital painting on canvas

size:  9"x 12"

 

Daisies - Digital Painting

Daisies

Digital Painting on canvas

size: 12x16 inches

flora digital paintings

Roof Top - digital painting

Roof Top

digital painting

size 8x16 inch 

digital paintings

Marine Life - digital painting

Marine Life

digital artwork

53x30 inches

Lotus Pond 3 - Indian Digital Painting

Lotus Pond

Digital Painting

size 9x12 inches  

lotus pond art

Happy New Year

       

Lotus Pond 2 - Indian digital painting

Lotus Pond

9x12 inches

digital painting

india digital art

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