The Clock is Ticking

Yes and I can't seem to stop. The clock I mean. So my only other choice is keep on painting!!

I have been avidly researching on styles and various other artists and grand masters. While doing so I did find out that apart from me the other artist who has actually given our epic Mahabharata a place on his canvas is M.F. Husain. That does have a feel good aspect to it. :)

I have done the ever essential work of making media aware of the upcoming exhibition. However I mostly believe that its the work that will speak for itself. And while I also know the fact that most artists were not appreciated in their own time, today things have changed and we do expect an almost immediate result and appreciation of the work. However expectations aside my theme this time is a little more intense, as I am delving into the psyche's of some characters of an established Indian epic. I am even aware that I may draw some negative criticism for my handling of the theme. I am prepared for all of that. Then again good art should provoke some conversation...so I am hoping for some of that too.

On the down side...due to the weather one of my oils which was drying on the wall, got knocked down by a strong gust of wind and is damaged....so have to do some fixing work as well.

Just a couple of more canvases and I am done!! I cant wait to stand and see what the entire collection put together will look like in that gallery!!!

In a Happy Place

Its been a while. Between being uninspired and a ruined canvas, a busy schedule with administrative work piling up, I have been a little slow in painting. For the last two days I did find my next topic turning out to be satisfactory. I am using oils and I just cannot stop raving about what a beautiful medium it is. That said it takes a hell of a long time to dry…with no real studio, and kids in the house I find myself very worried, until it dries out. I am very protective about the canvas!
The state of Mind is so important to churning out a painting, that you actually can stand back and appreciate the results. Yesterday was a lovely day spent (with the folks of Meranti home and the Silra home) at Sentosa. I really think I should do more of these things because you feel so light and happy when around such happy cheerful people. Over here I have to mention the lovely Seva group that Art of Living has formed under the guidance of Sashi, my dear friend. I will be putting up some pictures on my Facebook soon. Nothing beats a little Seva as this is what that brings true happiness. Difficult to explain but I am sure you all know what I am talking about. 
Quite a few of you have been enquiring whether I will actually make it in time for the exhibition…..I am sure I will. It is all this other stuff I wish I had help with. Any takers!!!!!!

Karna

With each painting I am learning something new! I make mistakes and those mistakes end up adding to the flavor of the painting. My latest painting was on Karna. I spent days, actually weeks contemplating on how I should approach what I wanted to bring out as his state of Mind. Yesterday I finally gave up procrastinating and went to select a canvas. Just went with the gut feeling and started with a square of 30 x 30 inches.
I just let me feelings flow. I am most satisfied when I go wild with a canvas…..I splash paint…play with various techniques and suddenly out of nowhere I began to see what I had in mind take form. This time I used colors which are very unconventional. A mistake ended up creating the main texture for the painting. And the pain of Karna almost seems real, reaching out to you from out of the canvas. Simple with few lines and just the subject matter enhanced with one main symbol I achieved what I had thought to be one of the main hurdles of this series. Phew!!
That being said I have still a few challenges ahead of me. I shall keep writing about them….as for what “Karna” looks like……keep following the blog!