Pleasant surprise

I was excited to see one of my works published
in a local newspaper of Uttaranchal. Thanks to editor

Madhusingh kesarsingh Bisht.

New Camera - 3

My favourite corner. As you can see I need a lesson

on photography for dummies, nevertheles couldnt help posting this one

New Camera - 2

My Bastar collection (tribal metal craft) which I try to buy everytime

I visit India.

New Camera -1

Trying my hand in photography with my new camera at home.
Cannon powershot G10 is a great camera and almost an SLR.
Never done photogrphy before except point & shoot. Lets see
if I ever get around learning to take good pictures

Another Landscape

Landscape in the Mist

Landscape

Pebbles

Guess what......

To all thoes watercolor experts out there, will know

exactly how this was done. For all others

who cant guess ........its a little secret. All in all it

was fun doing this.

Landscape

Sunrise

Apple study

A Kumaoni woman, in a traditional outfit

Temple, Kumaon, Uttaranchal

Woods - 2

Woods are lovely dark & deep

Inspired by Frost's Poem......

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep,

and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.

All in a days work

I found this article on plight of women in hills of Uttaranchal, it was very heart breaking to see their struggle.
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/6365

A house in Khantoli

In continuation with khantoli series. A house nestled among hilly woods & great view was inspired from a picture that i took when visiting khantoli (Vijaypur, near Almora, Himalayan region)

THREE DROPS

THREE DROPS

Picking lady

Spot the difference

This a second attempt at the same painting a few posts before. Since I had to part with the earlier one as a gift to my friend, I decided to paint the three women again.

TO all dedicated artists

this website has some lovely pictures of Tulip festival, a nature's feast to all art lovers

http://www.style-files.com/

In to Ghazals (poems) this week

किसी शायर ने खूब कहा :

जहाँ मैं कोई हमें प्यार के काबिल नही मिलता

कोई दिल से नही मिलता, किसी से दिल नही मिलता

Wine, Cheese etc........

This is a deviation from my usual landscape, India etc.

I am celebrating spring & sunshine..... atlast after along crazy winter.

Hope all of you join me together for a toast, cheers & a little prayer to sun god

(Surya Devta).... please shower us with as much sunshine for you are a source of life to all of us.

Whenever I visit India I tell my folks "you guys are lucky to get free sun all the time, here in north east we pay a heavy price of winter before a glimpse of the handsome Surya Devta is bestowed upon us"

Thank you & tata.....I am getting outside to get a big dose of Vitamins

Sarabhai Bhavan

Fun Time -4

Fun Time -3

Fun Time -2

Fun Time - 1

Entrance door Uttaranchal

Tried to do create this entrance door. Not happy with the results, will try to upload another later

Hut in Uttaranchal

Re-loading this image with a slight modification in the background

Women carrying grass

Women carrying grass on their backs a very common sight as you travel in the hills of Uttaranchal.

View of Himalayas from a resort

This was a breath taking view I could not resisit painting from a resort at remote vijaypur, near khantoli village.

Just a Doodle

I was playing with some colors, practice session on strathmore paper. I usually use arches block but the price on this brand was simply irresistible

Small Temple

A small temple located in khantoli village, uttaranchal

Naula (covered water wells) 2

another sketch in covered water wells this time experimented in pastels. Although didnt like the feel of holding pastels with bare hands but enjoyed working with it. this was done on a brown grocery bag .

Landscape

This painting is again at terrace fields of khantoli village. The original picture was in a broad daylight, but i attempted to changed it to... after a few showers when the sun peeks from the sky effect.

WOMEN OF UTTARANCHAL

Women of uttaranchal relaxing after a days work in the fields.

Earthern pitchers

Entrance at Khantoli Temple

Naula (covered water wells)

Naulas are life line of villages in uttaranchal. In Kumaon water harvesting and storage is given great importance. The traditional naulas or harvested springs are often beautifully made with sculptures. Many naulas are famous not only for the quality of their water but also for the architectural beauty. One observation on my recent trip was the introduction of handpumps throughout the region, especially along the roads. This is a boon to tired travellers & villagers who often have to walk long distances to fetch water. This song comes to my mind...." Thando re Thando mere Pahad ki Hawa thandi, pani thando " (cool is the breeze that comes from my hills & cool is the water that flows thru it.......

LANDSCAPE

Descent from Khantoli hills

Last year my trip to Khantoli hill & village was a memorable one. My grandfather migrated from this village close nearly a century ago. He was one of the few people who moved to rajasthan during India's freedom struggle and set up a "Khadi Bhandar" in Bikaner. He was a silent person whoes actions spoke more than his words.

Folk Dancers of Uttaranchal

These men are performing a folk dance of Uttaranchal.

Khantoli village

This painting has been inspired from the cover page of a book published by my father on Uttaranchal & their people. It brings to light the acheivements, contributions & sacrifices that they made for India's struggle for independence (before 1947). At a time when two square meals was a luxury, people from the remote villages of Uttaranchal came forward & participated in the freedom movement. Such relentless sacrifice for a cause & hope for a better future drove many out of their homes & migrate to different parts of the country with little money & no security. Women sometimes stayed back to take care of the families & elders or joined their husbands to an unknown future. In either cases they bore the brunt to make ends meet. Many joined hands with Gandhi & started the "Khadi" movement of spinning their own cloth, an idea of self reliance. Such stories will be an inspiration for generations to come

Traditional home - 2

Khantoli traditional homes

practice session of negative painting - Trees

Jersey Cows Grazing

This is painted from a picture of my friends Blog

http://luvsclassics.wordpress.com/

Tungnath temple (Garwal)

Fall Leaves - 2