Random bunches.....(card series #5, #6)

Watercolor and markers on paper - (7"x4")

Watercolor and markers on paper - (7"x5")

Having reached the end of March, I am posting these two cards to end the theme of this month, 'spirit of spring'. I indulge in these random drawings once in a while and sometimes I am pleased with the end result having started with nothing on my mind. First a layer of wash for the background followed by the highlights using markers. To bring the focus to the centre, I then added those lines. Hope some of these kindles spirits of those who never held the brush before to indulge in some form of art. As the saying goes, "Every time we say, 'Let there be!' in any form, something happens.".

Pen drawing on paper

My hands keep scribbling something if they are free, my notebooks are usually filled with random drawings. Most of them don't get the limelight as this one which I picked up for posting here!

'Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time.'
- Edmund Spenser

Daisies and Ferns(card series... # 4)

Watercolor and dried ferns on paper - (6"x7")

I like experimenting with adding different elements while I create cards. This piece of art is created by partially painting (flower, stem and some leaves) and partially using dried ferns and leaves. There is so much liveliness brought by the backdrop adding value to the way the flowers are positioned and curves of the shoot stemming upwards. When I was done with this I was sat there thinking, 'I should do more of these things, it's really fun!'.

'I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.'
~Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

Bunch of flowers (card series ... #3)

Watercolor and silver shines on paper (5"x6")

While I was painting this card, I let my hands and brush move freely without having to obey any orders. All I had in my mind was to create a floral formation which would catch the eyes of a teenage girl. In the end I quite liked the harmony of this simple and colourful piece.

Here I put up for for all visitors of Little Arena and for those eyes looking for some blossoms of spring!

Three Daisies

Soft pastel on pastel paper - (5"x7")

Continuing with 'spirit of spring' which is the theme I have chosen for the month, today's post is a bunch of daisies on paper from pastels. S had bought new set of pastels and we were trying them out. I wanted to make something really quick and simple!. Finally daisies it was!

It was the first time I was trying out soft pastels in the real sense. It didn't take long for me to finish this piece, as I didn't want it to be very detail, but had to give it multiple layers as with each layer of fixative the brightness seemed to fade away, after a few layers I called it done!

Maple Cluster (Card series.....#2)

watercolor on paper - (6"x10")

Maple leaves have always inspired me with its contour, changing colours, and their ornamental appearance. Here is an effort to bring out the texture of maple, using its autumn colours as the background.

Purple bunch( Card Series ...#1 )

Watercolor on paper - (6"x10")

I wanted to make some cards, had no idea what to do. I had couple of minutes to quickly render some colors, allow for drying and then quickly transform them to cards. Here's one of them, an imaginary bunch of flowers rendered in purple. I haven't seen anything like this as of date, but if I were to go looking for one, may be I will find something that would resemble this one! or should I say something that this resembles ;)

Majestic Rose

Oil on oil paper - 22"x15"(Private Collection)

I have chosen 'spirit of spring' to be the theme for the month, and hence time for more blooms in little arena.

Be it for poets or for lovers 'Rose' has it's glamour, maybe because rose can say so much without saying much at all.

The soft silky feel of a fresh rose petal evokes tenderness; the fragrant scent of a fresh spring rose brings refreshment; the vibrant colors of red, pink, peach, purple, orange, yellow, and white roses remind us of the dazzling beauty of creation; and getting pricked by a thorn causes pain.

Roses are a reflection of life!

The Hollyhocks

Watercolor on paper (10"x14")

"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men and animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are positive and different; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock."

-Henry Ward Beecher.

Impressions

'The splendor of the rose and the whitness of the lily do not rob the little violet of it's scent not the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would loose its loveliness' -author unkown

As Childe Hassam states 'Art, to me, is the interpretation of the impression which nature makes upon the eye and brain'.

Be it Lily or rose, between spring and winter leave their own statemement. I have created this black backdrop from pastels and charcoals just to bring out that interpretation of the bold statement of the lilies.

And we are no different, like these elements in nature, in one way or the other leave our impressions behind!


(charcoal and pastels on paper - 9"x22" )

(The glare in this picture has left its impression as well! - I have convinced myself to retain them for now!)

Bark ensemble

Acrylic paint & Glass markers on wood barks and dried petals

Thank you all of you for sending me your wishes today!

Where flowers bloom so does hope.
-Lady Bird Johnson

Colors of Spring

Oil on oil paper - 12"x20"
(Private Collection)

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

This is one of my old works. Nature has been the biggest all time inspiration for my works with its immense beauty and endless offering .

This work was an effort to capture one such spring beauty of grass land while using a limited palette.

On my way to work this morning, some yellow blooms on grass caught my eyes and that brought some wonderful memories of the good time I had while painting this one. Yippee! Spring is back!