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!

"Women of Silicon Valley" - Portrait Exhibition

Hello everyone,

The exhibition is on display until May 15 in the South wing of the library during open hours.
 
"Meet the Artist" will be held at the Milpitas Library on Sunday Apr 26.  It is an open event and will take place between 12 to 1 in the auditorium. Kids are welcome.

Thank you for your support!

Paint My Photo

Do you have a photo that you'd like to be painted? Send it my way. I am accepting paint from photo projects. Your kids, pet, home, flowers, castles, travel pics, any specific objects - you pick.

 Summary

I will contact you on details, what will work & what won't.
I just finished a commission project and preparing for an upcoming series.
While I am planning, I see that I have some room for small projects for the coming weeks.
Will accept about 5 or 6 photos this time.


Fee

It's not free because it cannot be. But its affordable, because it can!
Contact at Bhavna.misra@gmail.com, if interested.

Inspirational Quotes Entry

You are invited to submit your favorite quote that will turn into a digital drawing.
If your quote is selected you will get the credit and a limited edition digital copy of the drawing.

Anyone can participate. Geo location no object.

Genres to consider but not limited to:

Inspirational
Happiness
Love
Kindness
Peace

o Keep the quote simple and short.
o It can be your original or inspired. Mention the source.
o If you have a question, let me know.
o Deadline is a week from now or 25 quotes.

Spring III : Color Riot

Spring III

Oil

16 x 12

Available

Not much to say about this one. I think the colors say it all.

Moon Shines on Picket Fence - Spring Inspired Abstract

"Moon Shines on Picket Fence"

Oil 

11 x 14

An abstract inspired by the onset of Spring in the valley. Instead of Sun, I used moonlight to reflect through the spring blossoms.

Seasons: Abstract Art Series

Seasons seem like a popular choice among the emerging and experienced artists alike. The diversity and the singularity in theme attracts the creative minds of all genre and style with equal attraction. 

Here is the abstract series in oil. My first!

  

"Winter Night"

Oil

12 x 16

Available

 

"Spring Garden"
Oil

16 x 20
NFS

 "Summer Afternoon"
Oil

11 x 14
Available

 "Autumn Leaves"
Oil

11 x 14
Available

Here are some of the details:

Portrait Series II : Support the Art

Do you like art, support art, or want to be part of art, please keep reading!


Call for Models

With her portrait from series Friends

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.
If you have already participated in an earlier series, you can again, too.


You don't have to be present for painting part. But you can always check on the progress. In fact, I will regularly update you on the progress.


This project will begin around July/ August and would continue until 12-20 portraits are ready.

I will hand out more information and other details as a followup and would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

For the exhibition purposes, your personal information will not be revealed.


About me:

I have been painting portraits and other things for almost about a year now. Let me know if you'd like to see sample of my work.

I work from my home-studio based out of Bay Area. So, if you are local  you can visit when you like!


Project Info:

This series will be proposed for an exhibition.
It will be a collection of portrait paintings created around a theme.


The portraits will be painted from photographs selected from the ones that I would take. Model can bring  the pictures of their liking. If you are not available for the picture shoots but would like to participate, we can set up a phone call where we can discuss how you may have your own pictures taken and sent over for the painted portraits.

During photoshoot, I will try to capture the personality as a whole. Likes, dislikes, favorite color, special interests, hobbies, and any other information that you'd like to share. If we have already met, the photoshoot time would be really short.

I am planning to paint over 20 portraits but this may change.

The painted portraits will be used for the purpose of art enrichment such as exhibition and will be available for sale after that.


Remuneration:

Any prints of the portraits will be made available to the model free of cost.
The model can buy their original portrait before/ after it's been exhibited.
It is a volunteering  opportunity for the art project.


For more information:

Leave a comment below, or
comment or PM me at my facebook page or
mail me at bhavna.misra@gmail.com


Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from you soon!

Transparency of Process: Bane or Boon

I have been creating art consistently for a while now. My art-making process is quite open mostly because I work from home-based studio and also because I like the feedback as much on the final piece as on the process. It has worked out fairly well for me.


I have friends, clients, guests coming over and letting me know what they think about it. It adds a layer of team effort to otherwise a single artist effort. But, I have come to realize, that's not how many others look at it. They like to keep a sense of secrecy until the piece is ready for the viewing. And, I understand this.

If you are an artist, which type are you?

Hand Lettering, Language, and Art

 Dream Big!

Growing up, like most kids, I would doodle and draw all the time. The margins of the notebooks were filled with smiling faces, bright eyes, random shapes, spirals, cubes, and figures. Expressing through arts, as they call it, was a happy outlet.

It definitely helped me focus better and think clearly. Maths was my favorite. Having to write less and expressing more was best balance that my right and left brain made through maths and drawings.

Playing with words and letters was another favorite. Writing the alphabets in different possible ways was an exercise to explore how to convert a word into a picture. Adding a visual appeal to what's been written in plain and simple words seemed like a right thing to do. Many letter were quite prominent in getting the preference such as B.  There were more than a fifty different ways to write B. And I tell you, this was over the top fun. It pleases me to know there are training schools that teaches you this natural artform. (Check course Lettering 101)

 Have a pen, will draw!

Classmates would ask me to write their names in different letterings and I was more than happy to oblige. I remember one of my classmates, how she would insist on touching the surface of the paper to feel the letters written. I would laugh it off but she insisted that it felt different when its written well. Oh, how I would like to believe her! Looking back, I wanna tell her how right she was. To me, its very comforting to see something written well.

My Name

(Two Point Perspective)

 
Even without a training, we look at something, we know when its aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.  That's sometimes called to have an artistic eye.  We all have it. How much we relish it, is a personal choice. To gauge the artistic talent, many teachers find it a useful tool to check the hand-writing. Its not accurate, but its a good starting point.

Say it with a song!

I am triligual. I can read and write three languages. When using one, my mind automatically translates it into the rest of the two. I can read in one and speak in the other without breaking the flow. Long time ago, this got me a job of news reader, in broadcasting. But that was a different story. Here the point is, its a privilege to be able to express with the aid of words and pictures.

Speaking of languages, I often contemplate the idea of learning sign language but haven't yet. I hope I soon do.  

In the meantime, I ask you to try playing with your words. Make your words sing to you, doodle if you like, create a visual story. Give it a try.  You'll enjoy it, I am sure!

February 26 Fast Approaching

What's so special about February 26?

It's the anniversary of my artistic journey! I chose to become a full-time artist almost around this time of the year exactly one year ago. There were many things happening right here right inside me. Just too many ideas, too many push-pull instances, a creative chaos - that finally led me straight to the proverbial light bulb moment! It had to be.

I am honored to have people trusting me with my new decision, I understand it has affected many and has made impact at various levels, still believing in me and respecting me for who I am and what I am going for - is what makes me a better person.

With this, I hope I would be able to make a difference, no matter how little, in others' life and try to do everything better than before. If I could bring a smile on a face through my art, I would consider my life successful. With gratitude, I await to welcome the new year.

New Year New Projects (Project Friends Ends)

I am quite excited to announce that the portrait series that was started around a theme has been finished. With a year full of learning, I am happy that I could not only meet the deadline but also could paint to my heart's delight!

Here are some snippets of this journey:

• Over a twenty portraits completed.
• Process: Photoshoot, photoprint, finalize a picture, paint. Repeat.
• I tried almost all the media - pen , pencil, pastel (hard and soft)
• I fell in love with oil all over again.
• On the side, I could start another series.
• Created other unrelated pieces for the exhibition acceptance. 

 

Untitled

18 x 24.5

Soft pastels on paper

I feel, I could educate myself on many aspects of studio arts and the importance of preparedness towards the creative process. The sentiment with which this whole series was conceived and finished was met with lots of encouragement and I tried my best to offer nothing but the best.

I could not include many into the series purely due to lack of available time. I am sure, we would work on something together in the future.

Now we look forward to the public viewing of this artwork. I will post updates on that very soon. Till then!

Happy New Year!

Time, like a bird, flies!

A moment, a day, a week, a month....where does the time go! I am amazed how fast the past year has gone by. So fast, in fact, I didn't get a chance to truly appreciate the offerings it brought. I would remember it very fondly. For being so generous and so giving that I didn't get a pause to thank it properly. So here goes, right now is the right time to say Thank You to the special year 2014. This year,

• Is the year of many firsts!
• Was made special by my munchkins, they make me feel so proud. Truth is, they have taught me the true meaning of life. 
• I met some of the most amazing people, who made a positive impression on my career. Some of them are - Gwenn, Roopa, Irene, Barbara, Carolina, and many of my models.
• I am very thankful for the support from so many of you that I am not sure I will ever be able to reciprocate. But I will make sure, I try.
• Enjoyed being among the old friends.
• A new member joined our family. Lovely new bride of my baby brother. What bliss to see them as a couple. 
• Met with my close as well as extended family.
• Enjoyed the new chapter of my life, I cannot wait for weekends to get over!
• Received great books, great gifts, and surprises.  

So many things to be thankful for but my very special thanks is reserved for my sweetheart, my power, my one and only, for being there for me this year and every year! Nothing is possible without him being around. Thank you for all the kind words, you have no idea how much they mean to me.

Looking back, friends and family, all I want to express is, gratitude.

Hope you are having a good start in 2015. May it brings you happiness and peace for all.  Happy new year!

America: Time is Now

America: Time is Now

Approx. 8 x 11

Mixed media/ digital

How many times did you tell yourself that one day you'd do this or one day you'd do that. A different job, a new hobby, writing a book, or something that you've always dreamt to do one day. 

That one day is today. In fact, its right here, right now! 

The theme of this artwork is highly inspired by the thoughts on these lines.

Working for Self, Seriously?

I need to share about the freelance work.

Recently I had been asked what I do. And I tried to keep the answer tidy and direct.
"I am an artist."
"Oh wow. Okay." Followed by a pause. "So, what do you do?"
"I make art." I said excitedly, explaining process of painting portraits.
"No, I mean what do you do for a living?"
Okay, it was little awkward.
"I work as an artist, full-time. That's what I do."
Longer pause.
"Seriously?"

It would have been easier if I had said, hey I am an engineer. And conversation would probably have been on where I work or on what technology.


But, this is what I signed up for. So, enjoy the perks of being different. Enjoy the freelance life!



====================


After meeting the deadlines for the Fall shows, exhibitions and shows its a time for getting back to the work and letting that rush-to-create to overcome you. I can finally focus fully on the series' at hand.

While I wasn't blogging, in the past weeks, I

1. Finished two more oil portraits.
2. More than 2 pen portraits
3. 1 America artwork

Until the next post!

The Joy of First Time : Pen Portraiture

I have always imagined drawing with pen quite hard. Due to multiple reasons, which I would list below, I didn't try to render much in pen.

1. Fear - pen won't erase, so if you make mistake, it can't be corrected and you'll have to work all over again.
I cannot tell you how deep-rooted this fear was! We all learn to write in pencil and gradually move onto the ink. Assuming as we grow, we learn how to write without making mistakes or learning to correct the correct way.
But for the art, most of us don't take the risk of making mistakes. I heard from many experienced artists how they do the first draft in pencil and then switch to pen. Serves some of us well.


2. Myths - pen art is not art. Can you believe that! Some still contest the real art is what painted upon and not just drawn. Well, to me, anything created with sincerity is okay to share with others. Let the debate go on, you focus on wherever your creativity takes you.

3. Lack of value range - this was something that kept me off for so long. What a myth! You and only you can keep yourself from giving the depth to the artwork. There are different techniques but sure a full range of shades.

But it just happened. Because its a milestone for me, I will share my story. Before hitting the bed, I had to choose the best reference picture of the model. One looked more promising than the other but second one has a striking unavoidable appeal. So, I decided to do underdrawing of both. Sleep can wait. This idea cannot! whichever looks better will turn into a final painting.

I had my supplies lying around and I decided to draw the rough sketches before going to bed. Shortly, first drawing was ready and I started the second one. By the time I finished, I realized, I was using pen, inadvertently. Oh woah, I don't use pen, I told myself. But I did and it was a big deal for me because the result was astonishing!  The output was darker, clearer, and bore striking likeness in much fewer marks as opposed to the charcoal, the usual medium for this purpose. Oh my, I had pleasantly surprised myself.

What can I say. This has made me a very happy person. In the days that followed, I am not able to put the pen down. One more, just one more!

My hands are tired, my wrists hurt, but the sketching is very enjoyable. You should try it! Here are some detailed pics of what I made as a full portrait out of this new love.

 Look, Ma!

9 x 12

Pen on paper

Details of above

I am not sure what's making me more happy - breaking the myth, seeing the light or is it pure joy of learning something new.

Either way, I am happy to share it with others. Tired muscles behold! You have a lot to do. :-)

Progress Through the Festival Season

Oct 8 - Oct 27 :  63 Days and counting

As far as the series is going, I'd say, its going good. There is progress, learning, and lots of excitement.

Let's just say, we are almost halfway through.

Portraits, Techniques, Likeness, and Life

Oct 1 - Oct 7: Day 49th of Friends Series

I have been drawing, painting, reading, and writing lately. As mentioned earlier, I met many new people during art show. And I cannot describe how helpful other artist have been. They gladly shared what they know and later sent more as promised. I cannot thank them enough for their help.


Portraiture

This is  a bonding process where a person tries to create his own version of how one sees. Its art and it also is science. Its 2 D in technicality and heavily 3 D for the artist. Or 4 D if you add the artist's perception to it. Artist tries to capture the essence of the model over the period of time.

Technique

There are as many techniques as there are portraitist. No single one is right or better. Some find realism to be the most disciplined form which may be true in a sense that if that's your goal in the first place. But over time, you learn to immerse in the process, and start to enjoy the process so much and so, that you hardly bother if that highly acclaimed belief of realism is only a way of seeing things.  The artistic license lets you enjoy the journey and the destination. Choose what suits you!  This is what I did for one of the works.

Likeness in Portraits

People find portraiture as hard because they think getting the likeness is not easy. Its true. Its not easy to get the likeness if you don't practice enough. There is a lot of relativity among different angles and shapes and the process requires a lot of swinging back-and-forth while creating a face.

When I do it with pause, there seems to be a harmony in the process. The focus is not on one part but the face as a whole. With this in mind, things just seem to be right. And when its right, you stop and gauge the balance. After a while, the process starts to balance itself.

Bonding Experience

I usually know when to stop. The work starts to speak for itself. It becomes a whole with its own identity and charm. At that point, artist need to take a step back and let the work enjoy its own identity. The bond between the subject and the artist moves on to next level. And that is a marvelous experience. Its too complex to explain in words.

First Juried Show

Sep 30: Day 44


With this day the month of September comes to a close. In October, we hope to see diversity experiment and the results thereafter. Here are some pics from the weekend :

The show was well attended

The work of artists were unique

 

 

The acknowledgement

 

The food