"Proud as a Peacock"

 Any art portfolio seems incomplete without the painting of a peacock. So, here is my humble attempt to paint one.

 "Proud as a Peacock"

Oil

2016

The title of the artwork has been inspired by the following story -

In 1956, John J. Graham created an abstraction of an 11-feathered peacock logo for American broadcaster NBC. This brightly hued peacock was adopted due to the increase in color programming. NBC's first color broadcasts showed a still frame of the colorful peacock. The emblem made its first on-air appearance in 1956. NBC later adopted the slogan "We're proud as a peacock!" The current version of the logo debuted in 1986 and has six feather colors (yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green).  

Fearless Peacock in Ardenwood Farm

There are two Asiatic bird species Indian and African peafowl. Among the Asiatic species, his extravagant eye-spotted tail covert feathers which he displays as part of a courtship ritual. The term peacock is properly reserved for the male; the female is known as a peahen, and the immature offspring are called peachicks.

As with many birds, vibrant iridescent plumage colors are not primarily pigments, but structural coloration.

 
Indian peacock has iridescent coloration and large "train" of feathers that according to Darwin served to attract females, and the showy features of the males had evolved by the preferential selection.

In many cultures, peacock is often associated with wealth, good luck, and marital bliss.

Catholics adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent resurrection, renewal and immortality. This came from the ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay. In Hindu culture, the peacock is the vehicle of Lord Kartikeya, the god of war. Peacock feathers symbolize the fine taste, beauty, and perfection.




Kartikeya as painted by iconic painter Raja Ravi Varma

It is thus common to decorate with the imagery of peacock and/or peacock feathers. For more pictures and progress log on this artwork is wip. I hope to share it soon.