Oscar Inspired Portrait of a Baby Chimpanzee

Oil

24 x 24 approx

2016

Staying Fluid

My work is on display at my studio, my site, shows, and through online outlets. Making my artwork available for everyone to view, is the process of sustaining and creating better art, an enjoyable and meaningful one.

Morning Fog

Oil

20" square

2016

Its been very hard to part with my work, but slowly, I have started to learn to respect letting go. Once an artwork is ready, it develops a life and personality of its own.  The artist needs to step back and allow it to chalk out its own journey from this point on.

Pink Floral

10 x 14 Approx

Oil on Board

2016

The artwork is then priced and put on a display.  The exhibit is an indicator that the artwork is now ready to be taken. I invite the viewers to choose the price they are most comfortable with and oftentimes, let them pick the best offer they can make. All they have to do is, contact me. I also offer the prints on canvas and similar work in different sizes or make a custom piece on commission.

Wild Flowers Summer Garden IV

10 x 14 Approx

Oil on Board

2016

Its a win win for all of us. To see a painting go to a happy home is a very gratifying part of the day. Sometimes, people send me back the picture of the displayed art that they had purchased. It makes my heart sing! 

Life seems meaningful and so does my role in it. It helps me create with more enthusiasm, more love, and more of everything nice!

Kitty Bouquet

Oil

2016

 

From every painting, I learn something new - it invariably gives me a sense of growth. This happy vibe keeps me moving, and I am very grateful for everyone who becomes part of this creative and meaningful journey. 

"Let it flow..."

Pricing the Art

Art is not just a painted surface; its an expression - a representation of feelings, emotions, and thoughts in response to how the artist sees it. So, when it comes to the painting for the sheer joy of it,  its quite understandable that artist may not even want to share it with anyone. Its their very private moment that is now out there on the surface not meant to be subjected to the judgement or evaluation.
But when you are a professional, who earn their living by making art, you also make it clear that you have prepared yourself to be vulnerable! You not only invite everyone to be a judge, you in fact, ask everyone to be the critique of the work; right from the choice of the subject, color scheme, layout, process, all the way to pricing! 


How Pricing in Done

When I was starting out, I consulted many artists in regards to pricing the art. To my surprise, most suggested that after many years in profession, they still hadn't figured out a cookie-cutter way to correctly price their work. They try to balance different factors to reach to a correct recipe for the right price but it never seems perfect. There are different ways, yet pricing undoubtedly remains a tricky one. Different artists choose different ways to put a price tag on their work.

Many told me that because art is subjective and so, its juxtaposition plays an important role in the process. Meaning, one abstract art might sell for thousands because it was hanging in a high end museum, whereas another beautifully created realistic artpiece may not even cover the price of supplies when sold from the artist's home.

Some suggested going by the square-inch pricing. Its straightforward to calculate - you find the area of the artwork and multiply it by the $ and round it to the next zero. Its simple and easy to explain to the potential buyer.

Others support the pricing by number of hours times $ plus supplies.

After a while, it slowly became obvious that one should follow what suits them the best without having to compromise the quality.


My Take

Knowing, the process of pricing is your own decision. No matter what method you follow, make sure it does not affect the quality of your work. Keep in mind that :

1. The pricing should be fair

Make a price list and keep it where everyone can see it. Mention clearly what all it entails.

2. Be open

If someone is really interested in something, all they have to ask me for a discount. In most cases, I adjust to the reasonable requests and explain what I cannot.  I even have offered my 70+ hours of work for free because they convinced me so with their kindness! On the other hand, I saved a lovely piece from the hands of a disrespectful person. Disrespect towards art in particular.

And here is the most important one - 

3. The creative spark should be white hot

The passion that gets me to the work, day after day is respect for my talent.  Prime reason why I paint is because I love to do it. Why I make it available to purchase, is to create more art and to create better art.


Afterthoughts

My favorite subjects are nature and people - both have shaped my creativity in ways that are beyond words.  It makes me so optimistic to open up to others and keep trying to do better. Please share what your thoughts are. And as always, keep chasing your dreams!

On the Cover of Key2Arts' Recent Newsletter

I am glad to share the Key2Arts newsletter that has featured one of my paintings on their cover.

In each newsletter, they choose and promote one artist by putting his/her art as the cover and adding links to the artist's profile and artwork page.

I would like to thank Kathy, for choosing this image for the 77th issue.

As many of you know, it is one of my beloved paintings. It's now proudly hanging in a lovely home in Bay Area.

How Long Does it Take to Paint a Portrait for a Show

In the making of Dreamer, my sitter sat for me for about a 30-minute photoshoot. I took almost about 50 or so pictures from various angles.

Camera has a very conspicuous impact on us. It makes us smile at any given moment :-)
Once the lens is pointed at us, we just cannot help but let go whatever expression we're wearing in exchange for this perfect blissful smile. We are trained that way - to present our best two second lens-perfect smile. So, its a skill to let the sitter loosen up to the point where they let you get beyond that practiced smile and capture whats most natural to the sitter. It takes a while, but we eventually get there.

After the photoshoot, I printed out the whole shoot and set out to select one. Once I had that perfect expression I was looking for, I chose it and had it enlarged to read it further. I reviewed my interaction with the sitter in front of this printout. Once that connection is made, I examined few options for the size and composition.

Selected Ref Photo

I selected a 16 x 20 for the portrait and painting started. Along the way, I realized, the background of the work had a great influence of the works of Gwenn Seemel's paintings. So, before moving forward, I emailed Gwenn and asked for her blessings and as expected, she had all the encouraging words about remixing it in my artwork. So, I went ahead and let the brush do its work.

 

 Dreamer  

almost 80% done

I wanted to change the color and texture of the outfit of my sitter. Here is the Maxican peasant top that I admired a lot for its feminine touch with lovely white color and delicate colorful-embroidery. It seemed to be fitting to have it on the sitter who loves this color and have this kind, compassionate demeanor.

White peasant top

Then I adjusted the tone of the overall painting. darkened a few spots, added some light in desired parts and pulled it all together as a whole - the backdrop is becoming part of the person.


At this point, I let the painting sit. And I observe. this period is one of the most important time to ponder over - I start to have the feeling of departure. I know in the next sitting it will be over. The entire journey will come to an end. The end saddens you like any other awesome, productive journey, that you don't want to end and thus unconsciously, I delay this stage.

Once I am ready to let go, I return back to it. At this point, I know what will go where - the painting practically finishes itself.

Palette for the portrait

 Artists are often asked, how long we would take to finish a painting, and I am no exception, "I cannot really say!"  Technically, there is only this much time you need, but in real life, you never know. 

Finished Portrait

Once the paintwork is over, The portrait is allowed to dry completely. Oil paints take longer to dry especially if the weather is not warm. Once dry, I paint the edges with protective paint, mostly acrylic variety. This saves the corner of the stretched canvas, in an event we would like to have it re- stretched or hang without frame. 

Later, I have the work varnished. Its usually a non-yellowing, matt-acrylic coat to protect the oil quality of the paints. 

Finally, its sent to the professional framer who makes sure the presentation is in-line with the basic color-scheme. At this point, the painting is all ready to hang!

Not the greatest pic but here it is!

 Now, you get a glimpse into the process. Its long, tedious, subjective, and unexpected. Would I like to repeat it again? Oh yes, any given day, just ask me! 

Portrait Series II on Display

Remember the Call?

I am happy to post that the Portrait Series,  Portrait Series II finished last year and is now on display.  You might remember that I sent out a call for the models which read :

For this project you are invited to participate as a model.
Anyone in  the range of 14 - 50 can take part.
The portraits will be painted from your photos that I will take. So, you don't have to sit for the paintings.
The photoshoot would be 20 to 40 minutes long, followed by a get-to-know session. It would include a small introduction and discussion about details of the process. We will discuss your likes, dislikes, favorite color, and stuff like that. A mini interview, if you like.
Based on this session, I will paint your portrait.

I posted this on my blog and later on a facebook group and linkedin. From the responses I shortlisted a few people. Contacted them and invited them for the photoshoot. 


The Process

This part is most time consuming yet really awesome! Thrill to know someone whom you'd paint is very motivating . The idea of painting as a means of capturing the whole personality is the essence of portraiture art.

Then followed the photoshoot, painting,  getting the work display ready, Inviting the sitter to view, viewing-by-sitter, and finally, the display in the exhibition.

The selected portraits are accepted and are on display in show titled Expressions. 


And Here We Are

Given how unpredictable things can be, I am delighted that everything went as expected and beyond! 

I want to thank the sitters for their gift of time - they allowed me to paint their faces for my art enrichment experience. Its not just  commitment, its an act of kindness and support and I am extremely thankful for that. Along the way, I made friends, renewed friendships, and learned so much.

I invite everyone to Mission Coffee, 151 Washington Blvd., to see this display. Its on till Jan 31. I will be there on Sunday, Jan 10 from 3 to 5, so drop by!

(This is one of the selected portraits on display. Sitter is Rupali.)

 "Dreamer"

Oil on Stretched Canvas

16 x 20

What Lies Ahead

One ending is the beginning of something new. I continue to paint faces. 

If you'd like to join me in this journey, you are very welcome. Just email me or call me, I will take it from there. And above all, keep sending your best wishes, we all need it. 

You are Invited: New Shows in January

Hello!

I am happy to invite you to two of the art shows that I am participating in.

One is group exhibit Gertrude Stein: Shorn where I am showing a portrait and the other one is solo show, Expressions. By pure coincidence, both shows are opening on the same day, January 3 and thus, I will have to miss the reception on one. But you can attend both and enjoy the works of art. 

"All Mine"
12 x 16
Oil
2016 - Year of the Monkey

Artwork from the show Expressions

I will be happy to see you at the show. In the meantime, stay warm and enjoy your holidays. Wish you a very happy year of the monkey!

My best,
Bhavna

Last Show of 2015

I have no words for those who consistently have been supporting my art. They do it selflessly, lovingly and, just so naturally. It was very touching when they offered the gift of their time to come down to wish me on my show's reception. From the deepest of my heart, I send my gratitude and best wishes their way. You know who you are and I have very cliched, but heartfelt words for you - "Thank you!"

Cellphone Collage of the Show

The show runs till March 2016. If you haven't visited, feel free to stop by when you get a chance. I was told "Now You See It" has an interesting touch. Let me know what you think.

Our photographer could not be there on the day, so we made up by sporadically taking pics from cell phone. Sorry about that. But if you have any from the show, please do share with us.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Art, Show, and Long Nights

December is already halfway past and before you know, it would be time to welcome the new year! I like this rush, the urgency, and the festivities this time of the year brings.
The days are short, evenings are early, and the nights are looong. This means more time indoors - more time with family.

In terms of creativity the process takes the different spin. It starts to align to the slower pace of artmaking. I like this nature driven healthy and wholesome intervention for the creatives. In response to season's suggestion, I transition from demanding painting to humble aspect of artmaking, that is, drawing. So, in this time, painting seems to become somewhat infrequent and drawing dominates most genres of my art-work. Which in turn, helps me revisit the fundamentals and prepare better for the later. The drawing and coloring that I can do cuddled up in the couch or bed has its own rhythm. Its like nature telling you to slow down, analyze what you have, and enjoy the basics. And I listen.

This December is no exception. The group show rushed us artists to bring out our best works to show and once it is over, we can happily step back and enjoy the season.

Today, I look forward to meeting friends, old and new during the reception of my solo. Without their support, things hardly make any sense.

I also like to take the moment to show my gratitude towards the gallery showing my work. I am very thankful to the people who made it happen for me. They showed trust in a dreamy newbie - it is a huge step towards encouraging and supporting art and the artist. And in return, this artist assures to keep doing her best!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Artwork Available for Sale

I am excited to share some of the artwork that is available to buy. If you are a San Francisco Bay Area resident, there is no shipping fee.

From this Fall, I will be selling through online outlets, so that l can better focus on creating art. I will post the updates as it comes. In the meantime, I will add work here.

So far, I have sold my work only to people I already know. I did not get a chance to have a official website but I am working on creating one. So, I am curious to move onto the next step.

As I begin this new phase of my art-career, I am aware there will be a lot of opportunities to learn from. I will be very happy to share my experiences in hopes to help anyone interested. So keep watching this space.

As always, I will look forward to your support. I am accepting commission work and glad to discuss any art related query.

Click on the the link to the artwork for sale.Thanks for your support.

Project Nature: Update

Nature Project


As you know, for the research of the Nature project I have been doing most of the following:

• Visiting the parks, farms, and zoos.
• Plein- air studies - rough sketches and drawings
• Taking photographs of the flowers, fauna, hills, animals - everything around us.
• Saving pictures from the 'net and securing permission from the photographers.

I am happy to post that my recent trips resulted in some creative ideas and fun sub-projects. I got to learn some amazing facts about the wildlife and get a curious insight into the lives of domestic animals.

About Myself

Growing up in a hilly and untouristy part of  Himalayas sowed the seeds of  affection for wildlife and especially animals. Hours long walks through the forest followed by the climbing up the hill just to reach the school, seemed like a daily picnic that could beat any of those modern day hikings.

I never realized those unsupervised hide-and-seek sessions in the forests would lead to a life of  independence, curiosity, and decision making.

Just going with the flow was the  only way of life. And that encouraged us to lead simple lives, enjoy even simpler things in life, and securing many years of great health and tension-free lifestyle that we have now come to recognize and appreciate.

Later in life, this spontaneity transformed into greater respect for the nature as I grew up. The fascination that once educated and entertained, later, turned into focus of reverence.


About Nature Series

As life coaches you to choose better as you get older, this decision to bring the nature into the center stage of the creative process, seemed justified.

But as I explore, I am further humbled by her magnificence. Its huge. Its beautiful, Its generous. Its everywhere. Its overwhelming generosity presents many questions including the most important one:

Where to begin from?

Let me start with the sense of gratitude. I am thankful for everything Mother Nature has gifted us with. This abundance should be our cue. Take only as much as you can return back with interest. And then go with it.

More on it as it comes...

Come Join Me: New Project Nature

I am working on the latest art series themed Nature.  In this series plan is to create a number of artworks that will give a glimpse of the offerings of nature.
Paintings will range from flowers to landscapes, abstract interpretation to realistic animal portraits and everything in between.
Once finished, it will be submitted for public viewing, publishing, and sale.


Timeline

The painting will begin asap and the series will end by June, 2015.

The preparation of the work involves following:

• Visiting the parks, farms, and zoos.
• Plein- air studies - rough sketches and drawings
• Taking photographs of the flowers, fauna, hills, animals - everything around us.
• Saving pictures from the 'net and securing permission from the photographers.
 

You are Invited

Please come  join me in this project.  If you have any ideas or photos that you would like me to paint, please feel free to contact me. I will be very happy to discuss it with you in my studio, online or over the phone.

You can share your pictures.  You will receive the photo credit.
Also, I will post the cross reference to your blog or a social media shout-out, whichever you prefer.
Any details about the image will help adding more dimension to the work. So, please feel free to elaborate on what, where, and why about the image.

You can share pictures taken by others as well. If sharing pictures for which you are not the photographer, please make sure you photocredit the person and secure the permission for the use of the images.



What kind of images will work best?

• Exotic animals, flowers, fruits, especially those I don't have access to photograph myself
• Natural scenery - interesting compositions, colors, water, unusual angles 
• Your own pets 
• Anything that you think can relate to beauty of nature

Contact Information


You can leave a comment here, or on facebook or linkedin.
You can also email me at bhavna.misra@gmail.com with Nature in the subject line.

I would look forward to hear from you!

Sep 15 -17 : Day 35 Today

I am happy to report that I have only a few of the under sketches to do this week. If everything goes by the book. I should have 2 more finished pieces ready to show.

I have to admit, I am not quite regular on posting pictures. Its seems like a commitment to transfer the pics from cam to com! Its comforting to know that its all there and will be posted and thus gets ignored in the light of work-at-hand and creating art.

Last week was special for I participated in a well attended artists' reception to the HTLT exhibition that opened last week. Loved to meet so many established artists at one place. Attending it with family was a dream come true. I would like to thank all my friends who support me and came down to the gallery.

If you are planning to go, please make sure to check the main hall of the gallery where my work is on display until Oct 11.