Rajasthani Woman

Pastel on Pastelmat 8" x 10"

This is a portrait of a Rajasthani woman. Painting people of Rajasthan  is a lot of fun. Their colorful outfits are so beautiful and the women usually wear lovely traditional and chunky silver jewelry. I am making a portrait painting after a long time. My entree at the art exhibition made me realize how much I have missed making them. Hopefully I will paint a  few more!

Coconut Palm Trees

Oil on canvas 8" x 10'

I have been working extensively with pastels for the past couple of years. Initially, I struggled with it quite a bit and then simply started loving it. Before that, I worked with oils whenever I painted. I decided to get back to them and  am trying to find my old form. I guess I need to make a few more to get there!

Elephant Sculpture

Oil on canvas 16"x20'

LAA - 2012 Annual Spring Members' Show

 I am a member of the Livingston Arts Association and for the annual Spring member's show I entered a portrait of an Indian tribal woman that I painted last year. It was quite difficult for me to decide which "one" painting to submit for the show, but then I felt this one definitely deserved recognition. I was thrilled when the president of the art association called to inform me that my painting had won an award of excellence! The exhibition will be on now through May 30,  at the "Towne Square Gallery" at West Caldwell, NJ. It is a wonderful collection of paintings, hope you can visit!

Smile - My painting at the show.
pastel on Wallis paper 8" x 10"  

The exhibit

And that's me with my painting!!

Pink Lotus

Pastel on La Carte paper 5" x 7"

This is another one of the flower series. I enjoy painting many things -  landscapes, still-lifes, portraits, flowers and monuments. The problem is that I keep toggling between my subjects a bit too frequently.  So I decided, at least for the small paintings to make 4 to 5 of the same genre before I switch to the next.  Now that I have made a few flowers, it's  time for a change!!

Purple Pansies

Pastel on La Carte Paper 5" x 7"

I decided to continue with the flowers. This is not exactly my style because usually I don't make busy backgrounds. I guess I need to make a few more of these to get comfortable.

Purple Tulip



Pastel on La Carte paper 5" * 7"

I painted this for the PADT Challenge-28 at paintanddrawtogether.blogspot.com. I spent more time working on the background and the leaves rather than the actual flower, to get the effect of the backlighting. I am quite pleased with the outcome and look forward to the upcoming challenges.

White Lotus

Pastel on La Carte paper  5" x 7 "

The last couple of paintings I made didn't quite turn out the way I wanted, so I didn't post them on the blog. Then I started a relatively larger painting and I am going to take my time to finish it. But it's important to regularly keep making small paintings as an exercise. So here's what I have.

India Gate Canopy at Sunset

Pastel on Canson paper 5"x 7'

This is just a study. I used a number of reference photographs to make this. I had a few sunset photos and a few photos of the canopy. Although my favorite pastel surface is La Carte, this time I used Canson paper thinking it will be quicker and easier to blend. But every time I use a new surface, my fondness for the La Carte only increases.

Bara Gumbad Tomb

Pen and ink 8"x10"

This is a sketch of Bara Gumbad (Big Dome) at Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi. It's a prominent structure in the middle of the garden, adjoining the bara gumbad mosque to the right. I have drawn this from a photograph taken by my friend Devajyoti Sarkar, and I am really thankful to him for always so happily letting me use his compositions.

India Gate, New Delhi

Pastel on La Carte paper 8" x 10"

India Gate - situated in the heart of Delhi, and the heart of every Delhiite. I decided to draw a series of monuments in Delhi, and the first that comes to mind is the India Gate.The best part about painting is that it takes me to places where I want to be!

Athpula - Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi

Pastel on La Carte paper 16" x 20"

This painting is from a photograph I took of the Athpula  ("eight piered") bridge at the Lodhi Gardens last summer. The beautifully maintained lush green trees, the watercourse running through the  bridge, and red bricks complementing the trees makes this a lovely composition.