Dragon Gate

Koi Fish

Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 24" x 1.5"

A few months ago, I came across some fantastic Koi paintings, tattoo designs and artworks while surfing online. Koi, the Japanese name for carp, is a hardy species of fish that can survive and adapt to varied environments. China introduced the common carp to Japan some 600 years ago. Japan bred them for color in the 1820’s. The humble carp was transformed into the magnificently colorful, ornamental aquarium and pond fish. Koi was showcased to the world the very first time in 1914 at an exhibition in Tokyo. 

As with all things beautiful, stories and legends must follow. According to Japanese (or maybe its Chinese) legend  - a Koi fish swam upstream in the Yellow River, against all odds and succeeded in climbing the water fall at a point called Dragon Gate. As the fish jumped over the rise, it transformed into a majestic Dragon! 

Koi fish do swim upstream. Chinese believe they symbolizes nonconformist and independent thought in a person. Something like not going with the flow! Based on similar lines, is the thought that it symbolizes strength, aspiration, determination, achievement, ambition and perseverance towards one's goals. In Feng Shui, it is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, especially as the beautiful Koi transforms into the powerful Dragon. One of the more sought after decorative pieces is that of twin golden carp swimming atop gold coins. Its considered supremely lucky! Strangely enough or maybe by design,  The Chinese character for Carp is phonetically identical (apart from a difference in tone) to the character for advantage, and the character for fish is the same as that for abundance and wealth.  

This was my first Koi painting and since then, I've only gotten worse for trying. Currently on a break from painting Koi, I do plan to return some day soon to reattempt crossing my Dragon Gate... 

A Table for 4

The Courtyard
Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 24" x 1.5"

With some friends, specially the ones you meet quite often, communication reaches an all time high of coded ease. Sentences, queries, explanations, opinions are expressed through nods, smiles, grins, grunts, a look, a prolonged look, a quick glance, a twitch of the nose, non-intentional or intentional rolling of the eyes, raised eyebrows and even restless fingers drumming on the table or fussing abstractly with the cutlery... This is perhaps the language of friendship and comfort.

After a long day at work, talking to clients on the phone, conversing with colleagues, answering mails and then catching up with my friends and family over the phone,  I do appreciate the simplicity of these totally comprehendible dinner conversations. I love the freedom to drift in and out of the conversation or just sit back and watch the starry ensemble up ahead. Play with the dancing shadows of the candle placed between us or watch the light fall in tiny star shapes across their expressive faces as they continue to chat about the latest IPL score or market situation.

This painting is for my friends at our table at Courtyard. As I see it and feel it - our corner table glows in the warmth of our ease and comfort with one another. The endless games of "never ever" and "truth or dare", mindless jabber, leg pulling, easy patches of silence and for me specifically  - star gazing at Courtyard have been some of my most beautiful evenings ever. Thank you for the warmth my friends!

Until unless you stay on Godbunder road, chances are, you would not know about this little patch of heaven on earth. The Courtyard is just that – a courtyard. To begin with, it’s located on the Godbunder Road. The only landmark I can think of is  - it’s a little ahead of Blue Roof. Luckily Blue Roof has a map! http://www.blueroofclub.com/blueroofclub-locationmap.html
Courtyard is somewhere between Blue Roof and the Temple as shown in the map.

That settled, you can drive into the Courtyard and park – it can accommodate only 6-8 cars at a time but there is an open field beyond, which is, well, open ... so you’re sure to get parking space there. Once you enter the area, it basically looks like a garden with pathways and low garden lights with a square lotus and fish pond and a wooden performance structure in the center of the complex. The garden is big and the crisscrossing pathway intercepted with tress and lights. The night sky is unusually star studded. Probably because it’s so far from the city and there’s nothing else for miles to steal the thunder. The food is good and very reasonably priced! I recommend the mutton keema with pao. The service is slow but then anyone in a hurry might as well avoid the Courtyard. The place is designed to soothe the soul and relax. There is live music on most days. Indian classical numbers played on request regularly. 
   

Reflection & Moonshine

Reflections

Acrylic on Canvas

18" x 30" x 1.5"

Exploring the same theme that I had started with the Red Oaks. 

Moonshine 
Acrylic on Canvas
30" x 18" x 1.5"

This too is a continuation, the last one in fact (which I intend to put up) from this series.  

By now, the palette knife and the brushes are operating mostly on their own. The depth and textures, contrasting colors and details emerge without much fuss. I can now paint this same theme in various colors and hues, perspectives and combinations to create different moods. But by no means, did all this happen across 5-6 paintings of the same theme. If you look at Moonshine closely, you should be able to make out the textures left over from the previous painting on this same canvas. The original painting was a blazing forest of red oaks in yellow, oranges and reds... a close up of the bushy parts - leaves bursting forth in full spring bloom - instead of a long distance tranquil perspective which has been showcased here till now. Lots of experiments were conducted on unsuspecting canvases to figure out composition, color palettes, strokes and style! And it was fun while it lasted...

But I do believe it's time to shake things up a bit!  Let me move on to my most favorite style of work - Abstract Expressionist Paintings coming up on 4th May'09!  

Celestial Dance of the Spirits

The Northern Lights

Acrylic on Canvas

24" x 30" x 1.5"

Here then, is the one I call The Northern Lights. A painting inspired by the natural celestial phenomena that’s fascinated me for years! There are tons and tons of morbid as well as inspiring stories, folklores and legends surrounding this intriguing play of lights (which are at times, supposedly accompanied by eerie crackling sounds...)

Some cultures say it’s evil and an omen of war and pestilence while others believe that their ancestors are guiding them towards “light” after death. Some even believe that only humans who have died violent deaths, as in warriors-in-wars can cross over to the Other-World that can be reached by walking this lit path. There are some who believe it’s the dead playing a match of football with a walrus’s skull or still others who think it’s the walrus’ spirit playing football with a human skull.... yes, this one beats me too.  Some consider the lights to be a reminder of the Creator who then traveled to the North Pole for some well earned rest and it’s HER fire that lights up the sky.
  
Astronomy however seems to have dashed all these beautiful and fantastical theories and explained the world for what it is and in a nutshell too – energized atoms. These non-ticketed light and sound shows are produced by the collision of charged particles from Earth's magnetosphere with Earth's upper atmosphere. The collision in the atmosphere electrically excites electrons to take quantum leaps towards Earth, converting the electron's kinetic energy to visible light. Due to atomic oxygen, red and green are the most common colors. However different gasses interacting with the upper atmosphere do produce varied hues in the form of bands, curtains or streamers of colored light.

Also known as Aurora Borealis (Roman goddess of dawn), the Dance of the Spirits and various other equally fascinating names, this ethereal light performance can be viewed in the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the earth between the months of September to October and from March to April.

More information on Northern Lights can be found at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_(astronomy) 

Tranquility at Silent Hill

Tranquility

18" x 30" x 1.5"

Acrylic on Canvas

Tranquility, described by a friend as “very zen!” empowers the stillness which came straight from the heart post a trip to the Silent Hill Resort, Manor on a blazing Sunday afternoon in early March.

The watered-down emerald green, turquoise and leaf green was poured on the canvas in thick squeezes and then cajoled into a surreal landscaped. The trees and the shadow in contrasting hues of deep brown, lemon yellow and white reflect the feelings of hope, faith and joy. It might not have been the best of times for a resort outing or for a road trip, but it turned out to be a spectacular find none the less!

The sprawling estate offering “rooms, cottages, bar, restaurants, water park, gymnasium, boating and even ahem... well, car park” runs parallel to Vaitarna river on the National Highway No.8, a few hours drive from Bombay. A cool, moist breeze from the river provides the innumerous hammocks sprawled under the palms and coconuts with blissful respite from the blazing sun. The resort features it’s own lake or maybe ponds would be a better word; with chatty, babbling geese and absolutely intelligent city-bred ducks and rabbits. All very friendly and approachable! The most exciting and unique attractions are the rope bridge spanning across 3 tall trees at a height of 15ft and a huge swing made of tires and rope! There was an open-air water-park and pool which we skirted due to the heat; opting instead for the Vaitarna Restaurant & Bar and cool shade of the Garden Restaurant. Here we spent the next few hours on a very ancient wood carved Jhoolah, being pampered by the attentive staff and sipping chilled beer, breathing in the tranquility and stillness for the day.

You can find out more about the resort on www.silenthillsresort.com

The Red Oaks & Forest Fire

The Red Oaks Forest Fire

25" x 25" x 1.5"  25" x 25" x1.5"

Acrylic on Canvas Acrylic on Canvas

Does anyone really know why we feel this urge to paint or create? I'm not sure I understand the why but I do know that when the urge kicks in, I must give in to it. As I squeeze the paint from the tube directly on to a virgin canvas, time seems to stop still. I am dimly aware of humming along to a tune playing in my head or flowing with the colors as they spread their magic on the off-white surface of the canvas.... And in about a few hours, the painting’s done.

I walk away without a backward glance only to return later to the labor of my love. Much later still, I can sit back and look at the painting for hours, trying to fathom what just happened. Where did this urge come from? What was I thinking/ feeling at that moment? How do I name this painting? 

I examine the brush strokes and remember some bits and parts of struggle to create a certain effect or mix colors in a certain way – driven by rational thought mixed with perhaps instinct.

I named my first real painting – The Red Oaks. I’ve never seen a Red Oak tree in my life, doubt if they grow in India! Anyhow, the need to express continued and by the end of another few hours, using the same palette and similar style emerged the second painting of this series – Forest Fire.

The Red Oaks, today resides on the wall of a friend’s bedroom while Forest Fire leans against a wall in my now spare bedroom-turned-studio. But he is not alone, racked alongside are Tranquility, Reflection, Moonshine and Northern Lights.