Stuffed Animal in Sun

As plein air (i.e painting outdoors from direct observation) practice, I placed a big stuffed toy animal on a chair in our backyard. Positioned it to get some interesting light on it and originally had placed a trash can on the side instead of the bush. After about 3 hours the painting was not complete but light and shadows had changed drastically, so I had to stop. In my studio finished the stuffed animal, but the trash can was looking rather odd. So instead I converted it into a bush with pink flowers following the same light and shadow pattern as it was on the trash can. Looks good to me now!!
How do you like it?

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Stuffed Animal in Sun - 8x10 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_050

Available - Click Here

Coconut Halves

Here is the demo painting I completed on the day of Ganapati Festival in LA. It took me 2 hours to paint this, while I was painting there were people watching as they were passing by, few stopped to talk. But there was a very curious little girl who stopped with her Dad and brother and watched for sometime. Eventually she asked me questions and it was fun chatting with them during the demo.

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Coconut Halves - 8 x 10 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_045

Available - click here

Perfect Coconut Split

This painting was created as a practice for doing Live Demonstration during the Ganesh Festival in Los Angeles. A week prior to the actual demo, I set up this still life in my back yard. It was fun to paint, standing in the shade. I chose to paint coconut because that is what I had on hand for preparing the sweet offering "modak" - a favorite of Ganesha.

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Perfect Coconut Split - 8 x 10 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_044

Available Click Here

Here is what I made after doing the painting:
Modak: my favorite too and I make them only once a year during this festival time.

Modak

Modak Offering for Ganesha

Red Rock Canyon Shades

In December we went for hiking to Whiting Ranch, very close to our home. There are quite a few trails in there for mountain biking as well as walking. We followed the Red Rock Canyon Trail, it took probably 2 hours or so, but at the end of the trail, there was this gorgeous view and specially at sunset, the rocks were glowing! What a reward after hiking so much!! I took pictures and painted this from a picture I took up there.

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Red Rock Canyon Shades - 14 x 18 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel - picture in a warm lighted area

The painting looks different depending on light. The above one in clicked with warm light on. Posting another below with just normal daylight:

Red Rock Canyon Shades - 14 x 18 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel - picture in normal daylight

Spring Tulips

I bought a new Soltek Easel and had to try it in my backyard first. It was valentines day, I bought tulips and put it in vase and placed it outdoors on a table. It was awesome experience to paint outdoors, I love the light for painting!! And BTW this painting will be taught in my One Day Workshop coming up on 28th Feb!!

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Spring Tulips - 12 x 16 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Day 31 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Looking back at 30 days

As I look back at this snapshot of 30 paintings, I extend many thanks to the Artist Leslie Saeta who hosted this challenge. There were 1483 artists around the world who participated in this challenge, which is really impressive!! Also really feel blessed and thankful for the support and appreciation I received from home, friends and family which helped me focus on this creation. Feeling really encouraged! This is the third time I participated in this challenge and I will do it again!! Love Love Love it!!

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Day 30 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Anticipation in Green

And... the Grand Finale is... Hungry for Pear!! My friend friend suggested Anticipation in Green!! Loved the new title!
I absolutely enjoyed this journey of 30 paintings and these 30 days have been the most productive! Feel very accomplished. The challenge in this painting is the background fabric is almost the same color as the pear and the knife - a shiny surface!! I used to think when I began painting few years ago ... How do you paint a metal surface without metallic paints? No more a puzzle for me, its possible!! Check it out:

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Anticipation in Green - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_030

Available here

Day 29 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Vine Tomatoes

Ok fine, I created few tomato paintings already, but not these Vine Tomatoes that came fresh from the farmers market.. So I had to do them!! And actually I use lot of tomatoes in my cooking and salads equally, so I have them always handy!!

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Vine Tomatoes - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_029

Available here

Day 27 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Apple medley with a Kiss

This is again Apple, but I have been wanting to try out this setup for a long time. The set up is inspired by artist Elena Katsyura (google her to look up her still life) - I love her paintings. The still life is based on objects reflecting back into a metallic surface (silver, copper, bronze etc). Looking at her paintings during 30 in 30, I badly wanted to try such reflecting objects. Can you guess what kind of bowl I might have used for my setup?

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Apple Medley with a Kiss - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_027
Available here

Day 26 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Strawberry Infused Water With Sweethearts

A little different than usual, the water is infused with Strawberries. So still sticking with my fruits and vege theme! In addition the Sweethearts make it perfect for Valentines.
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Strawberry Infused Water With Sweethearts - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_026
Available here

Friends - only one last week left for this "special pricing" 30 in 30 for $30!! Contact me on preranap@hotmail.com if interested. Look up the link above for all available paintings.

Day 25 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies - 2

Here's the second painting - Jolly Rancher Gummies.

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Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 2, 6 x 6  inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_025
Available here

The above is second part of the Diptych. Below is a picture of both together:

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1 and 2, ea is 6 x 6  inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Day 24 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies - 1

Yes Yes... I said I will do fruits and vegetables this month. But the other day in Walmart, I saw an attractive package with fruit pictures on it. I could not resist buying it for 30 in 30. Even if it is gummies, it is in the shape of fruits and vegetables - Works for me!!
To make it challenging, I kept these gummies on a glass for painting reflections. See which one you like.
BTW, I couldn't fit all 6 flavors in one 6x6 painting, so I decided to do a diptych. So next blog will be on the second set of fruits.
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Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas

Code# PK_15_024
Available here

The above is first part of diptych painting. Together the 2 parts look as below:

Reflections - Jolly Rancher Gummies 1 and 2, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas

Day 23 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Three C's for Salad

This is going to be my salad for Lunch tomorrow - Three C's being - Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Carrot. Love how it came out. The Carrot does look like it is sticking out! And did you notice the reflections on the cherry tomatoes, the blue cloth reflecting on it as well as the carrot and cucumber. Each C has the reflecting color from each other - love it!!

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Three C's for Salad - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_023
Available here

Day 22 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Dancing Onion

Today it was late for me to come to my studio after finishing the chores. I had almost given up, but thought I will paint half an hour or so and then do it the next day. I am glad I decided that, because once I got started, I did not realize it was almost 3 hours and I finished the painting including the documentation time!! So Happy dance for me along with the dancing onion.
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Dancing Onion - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on canvas panel

Code# PK_15_022
Available here

There is special pricing being offered for the "30 Paintings Jan 2015". All paintings are priced at $30 for the month of January 2015. This is for introducing my art to collectors and also to make it affordable for anyone to purchase an original piece of art.
Display idea:
Such paintings will look beautiful in a small space on a mini easel. Or a group of similar themed paintings can be framed together in a collage.

Day 21 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Green and Red Apple with Kisses

I am happy with this!! I went to Walmart yesterday and saw lots of valentines candies right in front. Bought my favorite kisses and couple others to paint along with the fruits and vegetables - Valentines day coming up!!
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Green and Red Apple with Kisses, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_021
Available here

Day 20 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Before the Strawberry Lemonade

Hurray!! two thirds of the challenge done!! 10 more days to go!! Here is my painting for day 20.. assembled all things for making Strawberry Lemonade.. Also new in this is trying to paint glass of water!! I like this, but next time I am going to try using a dark background for doing glass objects, just to see how it comes out..

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Before the Strawberry Lemonade - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_020
Available here

Day 19 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Citrus Wedges

Another one of those that I haven't done as much before.. Citrus Wedges. Again I tried painting loose and I am happy with it. The Orange color though gives me trouble now. On the shadow side it becomes too dirty and looses its orangeness. Looks ok though..

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Citrus Wedges - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_019
Available here

Day 17 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Strawberry Trio

Strawberry is another fruit that I have never painted before, so took up a strawberry painting.When I was thinking of Fruits and Vegetables theme, I thought I would soon get bored of painting these all 30 days, But I am actually enjoying it. There are so many others to try out.. feels like unlimited possibilities!!
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Strawberry Trio - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_017
Available here

Day 16 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Tiny and Large Apple

Happy Dance!! Starting second half of 30 in 30!! These are 2 different kinds of apples. Lot of the fruits that artists paint are so common. When I do the setup, it does not look exciting. But as I start observing the lights and darks, it is fun to find different patterns in the the fruit and it makes the effort interesting. The most common pattern I find in all fruits and vegetables done so far is the heart. See closely, you will see it too...
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Tiny and Large Apple - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_016
Available here

Day 15 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Back to Back Avocado

Hurray!! Today marks exact half of the 30 in 30 challenge!! Feels really good to have all 15 paintings so far. For a long time, I wanted to try out painting Avocado and this is it - very happy with the results.
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Back to Back Avocado - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_015
Available here