What's been going on till now.....

It's been quite some time since I've updated anything here.. Was busy makin a big piece but we will get to that later...

Lately I've been into knitting.. making scarves n all for me and my friends... I am up for anything creative.. you see.. Well I love doing it.. but drawing and painting is my first passion.. so we'll jump right onto it..

As you all know that I signed up for the sketchbook project.. there has been a little progress since my sketchbook arrived and I wondered where did all the time go.. It's already christmas and I've got to complete the project and send it to them by Jan 31st. So I opened it up again and made some more sketches..
Here I will be putting on my Latest sketch...

The Stranger
Sketchbook project

Have loads of ideas for upcoming year.. and a lot of travel planned too.... will be posting a lot more in the coming weeks with my newest creations and photographs... Stay tuned... :)

And if you are wondering what happened to the big piece I was talking about.. I will be posting it in my next post.. :) :)

Black Magic

Sometimes When I paint I forget what time it is.. and that is what happened today.. started painting at about 11.30.. I am working on a big painting with loads of details and it takes up most of my time.. so I thought while it was resting by which I mean drying... I started another small one.. titled "Black Magic". I improvised and took help of a photograph I found in one of the advertisements that came along with the newspaper in the morning.. I knew I wanted to do something with that photograph the minute I lay my eyes on it..  I cut the photo out so I could incorporate it into one of my paintings.. dint know I will use the photograph today itself.. Going back to my original story... I started at about 11.30 took a break for lunch at about 2 wen I set the big painting down for "resting". But I still had the urge to draw and paint something and not waste my time watching something on the netflix.. So I sat down to draw the initial sketch.. and the process of starting a new painting  is always fun cause you know that you are going to get something new and different from what you had originally planned to.. the thoughts just flow in as you paint.. it's like writing a story or a novel.. You don't really know what will happen until you've reached the end.. so well I've again lost track.. As I was all involved and totally occupied with my painting process.. the phone rang.. it was my husband's and I realized that it was five and I haven't made anything for dinner... so.. we had sandwiches.. best option ever.. especially when u forget to make dinner... and Husband helps you out... :) :)

Oil On canvas
8" x 10"
Black Magic

Looks a little comicky..( is that even a word) anyway, doesn't it???

Misunderstood..

Today morning.. while I was having breakfast.. my husband called up and told me that he was sending an important e mail.. and that I'd be really interested in it...
As soon as I got the mail.. I got really excited.. it was an art exhibition and it said that any type of artist could participate.. I got more excited.. I thought this was my chance of exhibiting my talent..
I gathered up all my painting stuff and started a new painting.. at 8 in the morning.. this was the first time I had ever painted so early... I painted for 5 hours straight... as I was on the verge of completing the painting my husband called up again..to tell me.. that I could not participate as the exhibition's artists have already been selected.. which he confirmed by talking to them on phone.. Moreover, it was an exhibition where you could sell your paintings and I do not have the license for that... I was disheartened but in the midst of all the confusion and excitement this is what I painted....

Oil on canvas
16" x 20"
Misunderstood

Inspired by: Alexandra Grecco's collections.. If I only had a heart dress.. 

Happy Diwali...

Diwali.. the festival of LIGHTS.. One of the biggest festivals celebrated in India and my favorite.. with diwlai melas (fair).. the twinkling and shining bazaars.. decorated with colorful lights and shops laden with sweet boxes.. yum yum indian sweets..  :) 

Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
Welcome

This being our first Diwali together as a married couple made it all the more special... To give it a special touch I painted these as gifts to all our lovely friends as a token of friendship.. :)

Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
Twinkle

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. (Wiki)

Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
Lone Diya

Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. (Wiki)

Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
Let There Be Light

One more to come... Stay tuned....

Desperate housewives..

I hope you can guess who I drew...

Pencil shading
Sketchbook project

Waiting for your answers... :)

Gorgeous..

Looking for subjects to practice my new found skill of portraits I keep browsing magazines, newspaper and articles.. Have also been trying to make portraits of a lot of my family members but none to the perfection.. So I'm still in the process of refining these skills..

Last night I was sitting on the sofa and reading a magazine.. saw an advertisement for a hair product.. and the model became the subject of my next portrait..

To be honest I don't even remember the brand  she was modeling for... : P

Another one....

The sketchbook project has really got me going...

Wherever and whenever I see a photograph I like I just wanna pick up my sketchbook and draw it..

While looking through one of my bags I got from India I found 2 of my magazines I bought to read during my journey to US.. but never got a chance to open it..

I was just turning the pages when one of the models immediately caught my eye as the subject of my next sketch....

and this is what I did while husband was busy watching television...

Lakme Girl..
The Sketchbook Project

Portraits contd..... :)

Finally a portrait  I am really happy I made.. :)

I saw Christina Applegate's photograph in the newspapaer and immediately wanted to draw her portrait not thinking how it would turn out.. but according to my hubby.. it was perfect.. and I felt sooo good.. A major step ahead in my pursuit to be perfect in making portraits before I actually start making portraits in oils.. :)

Please leave comments.. :)

The Sketchbook Project

Recently I have registered myself in "The Sketchbook Project 2012" with The Brooklyn Art Library, New York.
They hold this annual tour of Sketchbooks submitted by artists like myself to go around 14 cities in US continent and even including countries like Canada, UK and Australia. Once it goes through this tour, it will be digitized and will permanently take rest in The Brooklyn Art Library.
I am so excited to be a part of this experience and look forward to jump in to my new sketchbook which arrived today with MY OWN NAME on it....

Must be submitted by January 31st, 2011.

P.S.: The cute Ms. caterpillar has been drawn by me.... :) 

Up to date....

Wanted to share some of my work with all you people.. This is some of my work that i did prior to joining the blog world... :) They have been on my facebook account for a long time now..

Orchid
Oil on Canvas Paper
11" x 16"

This was my first painting in US..  I gave my heart and soul to it.... :)

Love Birds
Oil on Canvas Paper
11" x 16"

The Love birds painting could use a lot of changes.. I guess I just kind of lost the love of it.. and left it...as it is....

Sleepy
Oil on Canvas Paper
11" x 16"

..I entered an Aaron brother's competition with this painting.. under the pets section.. got a lot of votes.. but not enough to win..  I really liked the way it turned out. :) :)

Lilies
Water Color on Paper
11" x 15"

First attempt with watercolors... :)


More of my previous work to come soon.....

Mysterious...

I have been on this painting for about 2 months now.. well not exactly 2 months.. took a month break in between.. :)
 Now that its complete I could not wait to share it with all of you... :)
Please leave comments.. it helps me grow as a painter as well as realize mistakes... :)

Mystery
Oil on Canvas
16" x  22"

 If you don't have an account you can leave a comment anonymously and add your name in the comment itself..

I'm Back..

Its been such a long time since I've blogged.. But last 2 months have been so much fun..with my parents first visit to my place and a long road trip.. exploring the beautiful California, Nevada and Arizona..  my art had to take a back seat... but now I'm back.. and hope to learn much more everyday.. I picked it up where i left... learning potraits and here is my latest work...

Hoping to get better with each work... :) :)

Man
9" x 12"
Sketchbook
Colored pencils

Will be back with another one soon... :) 

Colored pencil

Making Portraits in color was interesting as i did not have the whole palette of colors I just picked out the ones that I thought would give the effect "I wanted ".. and made the same picture of the young woman in my previous post in pencil colors..

Young woman

9" x 12"

color pencils

I am still trying.... and hopefully the next one will be better... :)

Learning..

Learning can be so much fun...

As I mentioned in my previous post that portraits don't come natural to me.. So i decided why not start learning how to do it.. and practice it.. 

I went to the library and picked up a book on portraits.. It had tips and tricks I never thought of.. 

As my first assignment I had to make a portrait of a young woman...

Young Woman

9" x 12"

Pencil

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every moment making it..... it was so much fun... :) Will try making it in Colored pencils too lets see how it comes out..... 

A pending gift..

I know I am a week too late for a father's day gift.. but it was in the making and i wanted it to be a surprise.... I have finally finished my second painting for father's day... Hope papa likes it....

Fly High

Oil on Canvas

12" x 16"

Tell me what u think about it.. :)

Incredible India..2

I was thinking "what should be next in the series of Incredible India???" and then it came to be.. what could be better than the national bird... Peacock... As my easel was busy with my oil paintings.. Watercolors was my best option... and here it is....

India series : Peacock

11" x 15"

Watercolors

please feel free to critique and leave comments......

Portraits...

Well.. potraits for me has always been a tough challenge.. I never get everything right.... But I Love Challenges... and this one has been my all time favorite... It does not come naturally to me and I always tend to mess up the propotions so, before trying to make something in oil I thought why not give watercolors a try and this is what I made....

The lovely girl

11" x 15"

Watercolor

This is one of the many photographs I downloaded for my practice drawings..I loved the way it was photographed and especially the hairstyle.. so thought of giving it a try... though i did mess up in a few places but worth a try...

Varun

11" x 15"

Watercolor

This one I made from a collection of photographs that my husband has of his childhood.. I always felt as if this photograph was calling to me... and about a week ago I thought now is the time I give it a try.... came out pretty good.. i guess it's the love of my husband that really helped me.. cause I had a big smile on my face while making it... : ) : )

This is a never ending challenge and I am in the process of making another one... Hoping it comes out good..

Incredible India..

Trying to capture the real essence of India in my paintings...

The Backwaters or Lagoons in Kerala are a sight..... and a must see...

India Series : Kerala

Oil on Canvas

12"x16"

Goa.. Our Honeymoon destination... It has everything one wants.. peace and calm as well as incredible night life and shopping experience...

India Series:  Goa

Oil on canvas

12"x16"

There are still more to come.... work in progress.... :)

                                                          

    

Happy Father's Day...

I protect You

Monochrome Painting

Oil on Black Canvas

11" X 14"

To all the dads out there..... wishing all you wonderful people a very Happy Father's Day!!!

They hold your hand on your every step, protect you from falling down but let you go when they think you are ready....
 A big thank you for always understanding me and helping me in which ever way you could , help me rise from every problem and celebrate the best moments of life.. teaching me throughout the way what life means and how to handle it...

I am getting overwhelmed by feelings as I write this post.. as it has been months since I've met my dad(s).. I Miss you a lot...

I am so LUCKY to have you as a guide,philosopher and a friend... whenever I need one..

I hope my painting conveys the message I wish to say..... Happy Father's Day!!!

La Jolla Festival of Arts... San Diego

Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration in life and there is no better way to get it from artists around you.. La Jolla Festival of Arts is an annual festival held in San Diego.. It was it's 25th Anniversary and about 200 artists were participating and displaying their skills.... I thought this is my chance to get inspired... And so me, my husband (Varun Mittal) and 2 of our friends ( Priyank and Himani Desai) set out to the beautiful San Diego.... The drive to San diego on a picturesque morning took our breath away...

We reached our destination and it was a big festival.. All excited we started exploring around.. beautiful paintings, mixed media , thread work, glass work, sculptures, pottery, photography... there was so much to see... and now so much to share with u guys..

 A comic artist made our visit more interesting as he drew cartoons of me and Himani right there for us.. and we got ourselves a piece of art.. here's the link to his new website..thisismylife.thecomicseries.com

While looking at the various paintings and the styles we came across some that were just WOW.. i just didn't have any other word to describe it.. some of the artists captured the light and the moment so beautifully that u actually felt you were there...

There was a painting which captured my eyes of a lady in a white dress standing in a bath tub... and while we were observing the artwork the artist stepped out of her little sitting place and said " I would love to paint you" .. It really felt good. thinking I  could be the subject of some one's painting..and may be some one will observe my painting like i was of that lady.... may be I will visit her gallery some day as she happened to live really close to our place..www.ellencbrown.com

We learnt how beautiful glassware is made and colors and designs are put into it.. and even got a present for myself from the artist who did it...  Who knew the a small colorful glass took only 5 mins to be made...

I also met Annette Hammer.. I just could not keep my eyes off her paintings.. such detailed work each leaf on the tree, each branch, each flower and even each ripple in the water was crystal clear and distinctive telling a story of its own.. do visit her website to see what i actually want to say... annettehammerart.com

I go to a festival and buy nothing... that never happens and I got myself a pendant made with Quail egg shell.. A real piece of art..

It was closing time for the festival and we headed out to the streets of San Diego to have more fun.. and beach was the perfect destination for that..

We did a little hiking too...

 and after that were too tired.. so to get ourselves refreshed and fill our tummies we stopped by a thai restaurant "Kitima " and had a lovely dinner.. yum yum..

With energy still left we went to see Sea Lions.. on the beach... It was soo cold out there... but a beautiful view.. sorry.. no pics.. it was dark and the camera could not capture anything....

Fully satisfied and exhausted we journeyed our way back to home sweet home... "Inspired" was a small word to describe all that I felt after the festival.. It was "exhilarating" and "uplifting"...