Healthy Choices - SOLD

This is a custom painting based on 30 paintings in 30 days challenge I did in January. This time, I set up the still life outdoors in my front yard, keeping the table in full mid afternoon sun. Even though I stood in the shade and painted, it became very hot. Since there are more objects in the painting, it was taking me long to paint. After about 3 hours, I was not approx close to half done. But the light had changed, the shadow had changed a lot and I was getting tired. So brought everything inside and took rest. The next day I decided to complete the painting in my studio from the reference picture. Its drying on my shelf now and will be on its way to India by end of this month!!

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Healthy Choices - 14 x 11 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

SOLD

Spring Roses 2 - SOLD

Once again indulging in Watercolors!! I had started another version of Spring Roses couple months ago but left is half done. Finished this one today. The earlier Spring Roses can be seen here.
In this new one, I added more texture in the background using rubbing alcohol and salt. I love how the texture shows in this and added a more defined bud on left side compared to earlier one.

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Spring Roses 2 - 16 x 20 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper

SOLD

Kathak2 BMM2015 OpeningCeremony - SOLD

This is fourth painting in the set of six paintings that was performed live during BMM 2015 Opening Ceremony, Jugalbandi piece.
**BMM - Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal
For looking at overview and 6 paintings together, look at blog post here.

The Dancers portrayed "pancha mahabhoot" (5 elements of nature) theme. Kathak dancers emphasized "Air". Earth and Space(Void) are additionally incorporated in this piece using colors brown and green and yellow (for earth), Circular pattern being for Air and Space.

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Kathak2 BMM2015 OpeningCeremony - 30 x 36 inches, Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me - preranap@hotmail.com, 949-742-2579

To see the set of six paintings together,click here.

Watch the Video while creating the painting. An incredible experience!!

Bharatnatyam1 BMM2015 OpeningCeremony - SOLD

This is first painting in the set of six paintings that was performed live during BMM 2015 Opening Ceremony, Jugalbandi piece.

**BMM - Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal

For looking at overview and 6 paintings together, look at blog post here.

The Dancers portrayed "pancha mahabhoot" (5 elements of nature) theme. Bharatnatyam dancers emphasized on "Water" and so I used blues in this color scheme and also incorporated wave motion in the painting.

Bharatnatyam1 BMM2015 Opening Ceremony - 30 x 36 inches, Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

For Available paintings click here.

Watch the Video while creating the painting. An incredible experience!!

Spring Roses - SOLD

I don't know if I was burnt out or what, but couldn't continue on Oil painting. So took a break for sometime and saw these beautiful Roses. I love painting flowers and I had not done watercolors for so very long! I love how watercolors create a magical effect when mixed.
For some reason, I have never mixed colors on palette. All my color mixing is done directly on paper in this case and on canvas directly when I am painting oils. The 2 colors laid side by side on paper using watercolor creates a magical effect. Its a surprise to see the effect when the painting dries up.
Also this is the first time I have painted this large size - 16x20 inches using watercolors. I think I should work with even larger paper now, its fun experimenting with this medium!

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Spring Roses - 16 x 20 inches, on Arches paper

SOLD

Email me if interested in a similar piece - preranap@hotmail.com 

Holy Jim Waterfall - SOLD

Last year in summer, we went for Hiking to Holy Jim Trail about 4 -5 miles from our home. It was a medium hike and not very steep actually. It felt like a long way at first, but after reaching the waterfalls, it was nice and cool and felt very rewarding! Took lots of pictures there and I loved this one. The painting is from one of the pictures cropped to show only the waterfall and close up view. I wanted to bring out the rugged rocks and the trickling waterfalls all over, the algae around it! All together formed interesting shapes and colors!
I would again go hiking there for sure!

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Holy Jim Waterfall - 12 x 16 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

SOLD

Day 28 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Asparagus with Tomato N Cilantro - SOLD

My husband bought Asparagus from the farmer's market on the weekend. This is a vegetable that I have never painted, so took up the challenge along with my favorite tomato and cilantro!!
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Asparagus with Tomato N Cilantro - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_028

SOLD

Day 18 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Open Pom - SOLD

I have been meaning to practice to paint more loosely and was inspired by artist Carol Steinberg, whose daily paintings I have been following during this 30 in 30. This one is as much as I could loosen up. While painting this way, I almost thought this thing is not going to look like a Pomegranate. But I am really happy with how it came out. If you notice, there is no painting of individual pom seeds... but if you look at overall painting, it is of course an open pomegranate!! What do you think?

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Open Pom - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on canvas panel

Code# PK_15_018
SOLD

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 11 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Yellow Bell Pepper - SOLD

Today I went and bought weekly fruits and vegetables, made sure to buy for painting. Normally I don't use yellow and orange bell pepper, but after doing earlier 2 - the green and the red one I had to make a Yellow and an Orange. That too with triadic color scheme. Today I picked Yellow and tomorrow will be Orange!!
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Yellow Bell Pepper - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_011
SOLD

Note: There are green horizontal lines seen on the bottom of the painting. These are not in the painting, its the camera acting up.. will post a better picture later,

Day 10 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Peeled Tangerine - SOLD

Wow!! so far reached 1/3 rd of 30 in 30 challenge!! Hope to continue till the end and churn out 30 paintings at the end of it. Today I am repeating the tangerine, but I always wanted to paint a peeled tangerine, I have seen many artists doing it. It looks very artistic and the bonus is that you can eat at the end of the painting session. I already ate mine!! :) Here is my version of peeled tangerine:

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Peeled Tangerine - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_010
SOLD

Day 6 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Cucumber Slice Tomato Wedge - SOLD

Last 2 days I did a Red and Green Bell Pepper. I so wanted to do the Yellow Bell Pepper next, but I did not buy it last weekend. So I will save that for next week. In the meantime, for day 6 I did cucumber slice and  tomato wedge that can go in salad. This is a persian cucumber, much smaller than the regular cucumber and I love it in salad or even for juicing!!

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Cucumber Slice and Tomato Wedge - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_006
SOLD

The cucumber slice and Tomato wedge are resting on the full cucumber that is kept behind. Tomato inside seemed to be a challenge at first, but I think I got it.

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 1 - 30 in 30 Challenge Jan 2015 - Satsuma Tangerine - SOLD

Happy New Year to all!
January 2015 Day 1 painting challenge is starting with a dose of vitamin C. This is a Satsuma Tangerine. Living in Southern California we are blessed with a variety of fruits and vegetables, which is my theme for the Jan 2015 Challenge. Yesterday I went to the produce store, I found 3 different kinds of Oranges (in the peak season there could be up to 7 varieties of oranges). I love this variety since it can be peeled very well and the taste is refreshing to eat.

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Satsuma Tangerine - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Code# PK_15_001

SOLD

I have decided to participate in "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. For this challenge I am creating 6x6 inches Still Life Oil paintings with the theme - "fruits and vegetables".
There is special pricing being offered for the "30in30Jan2015". 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.

Holly Berries - SOLD

'Tis the Season!!
Our block is all decorated with Christmas Lights and through the windows at night, one can see Christmas Tree decorated. Feels like a happy time and I cannot wait for the Holidays.
Talking about decorations Holly Berries are a MUST!! Inspired by decorations, here is my painting. The painting started out looking like this:

Holly Berries - Stage 1: 8 x 8 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

 As I worked through different stages and layers of paint, the final painting emerged here:

Holly Berries - 8 x 8 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

SOLD

Code# PK_14_028

Ring on Blue River - SOLD

The scene is on Blue River in Colorado. This is a commission painting for her upcoming wedding!! It is the place where she got engaged.

It was fun and relaxing to paint this - my favorite time of the day - sunset, beautiful rocks, sound of river flowing, a bit chilly weather - perfect romantic atmosphere!!

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Ring on Blue River - 16 x 20 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

SOLD

This picture is taken under studio lights, in daylight, the colors will look different.

Golden Sunset on the Pacific - SOLD

Now back to Oil Painting... I enjoyed the rhythm of sunset colors flowing on the board. And since this is a bigger piece, I got to use the biggest palette knife I have, which I rarely use! I used a photo reference, but but mostly picked colors from my imagination rather than trying to mix paints to match the photo reference.
Feeling happy with the result!

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Golden Sunset on the Pacific, 24 x 30 inches, Oil on Hardboard

SOLD

In the Woods 2 - SOLD

I painted "In the Woods 2" to present a different perspective of the forest. My client suggested minor changes in my earlier painting - In the Woods. I did those and then thought I would create another view of the forest, to give a choice. But **SURPRISE** she liked both my versions of In the Woods and bought them both together!!
The painting looks different in different light conditions - the first is a picture in normal room in daylight, the second one is when painting is placed under light.

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In the Woods 2 - 81/2 x 11 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper - SOLD

SOLD

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In the Woods 2 - 81/2 x 11 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper

Below are both paintings "In the Woods 2" and "In the Woods" side by side:

 

In the Woods - SOLD

Here is one more water color magic experiment. I used lot of salt and alcohol for the texture in the background.
As I walked, each step was making sound - krrrr.. krrr... krrr... due to the dried leaves that had fallen on the ground. And looking up, the sky was lit with colors. Enjoyed the hike throughly!!

Now I am itching to do oil paint, have been away from it for quite a while...

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In the Woods - 81/2 x 11 inches, Watercolor on Arches Paper - SOLD

SOLD

Glowing Branch - SOLD

I love to try out different mediums. Here is my latest, experimenting with Watercolors. I find watercolors a magical medium. This time I tried out spraying water on the painting to create the background effects. If the painting is too wet, then the water spraying did not work quite well. I darkened the background colors once again, waited for it to dry a little. You can tell how much a painting has dried by looking at it in at an angle and observing how much it shines. The shimmer is quite less as it dries. This is a perfect time to gently spray water and it creates magical texture on paper. Had fun with this piece. Hope you like it!

Glowing Branch, 81/2 x 11 inches, Watercolor on Arches paper - SOLD

SOLD

Dancing Ganesha - SOLD

Painting a Ganesha has been on my mind since last few months. Finally I finished it today!! It is little different than my usual style and medium. It is painted in Acrylics and not quite impressionist style.
It is interesting how I came up with this dancing pose. I love dance and saw multiple images of Dance poses to figure out what best pose will fit my Ganesha. After having shortlisted couple of poses, I sketched on paper first in very small scale to get the proportions right. Once I finalized the pose and the best fitting Ganesha, I sketched it to a small scale on drawing paper once again, so that it would be easy to transfer to the bigger size hardboard. This project has been moving very slow about 2 months, on and off as time permitted. Finally, it is DONE!! It feels accomplished!

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Dancing Ganesha - 24 x 36 inches, Acrylic on Hardboard - SOLD

SOLD

Here it is installed in a beautiful niche:

Plaza Fountain - SOLD

Few weeks ago, I went to Chapman University in Orange CA and passed through the downtown in Orange. It had been long time since I had been to this place for plein air painting (painting outdoors on location) - about 4 years... I was quite a beginner, but it was fun to stand out there in front of the fountain and paint. This time though, I took my camera along and clicked a lot of pictures around the fountain since I wanted to paint it again. After browsing through many pictures I chose one that I liked best and painted in studio. Here is the result and I am very happy how it turned out.

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Plaza Fountain - 14 x 18 inches, Oil on canvas panel

SOLD