Artwork for Week # 6 - "Sweet Nectarines", Small Oil Painting

Sweet Nectarines

Oil

6 x 6 x 1 in

2017

Available

Another rainy, grey week. Nectarines at hand. The choice was clear. 

 

I also noticed that the finished painting can be displayed from either side. :-)

Artwork for Week # 5 - "Fresh from Farmer's Market", Small Oil Painting

Fresh from Farmer's Market

Oil

6 x 6 x 1 in

2017

Available

It was painted as part of the from life weekly series. I was hoping for the sunlight but the week was dedicated to the storm and it rained all days long.

So I decided to utilize the diffused light and painted strawberries without composing them in any particular order.

Artwork for Week # 4 - "Stronger Together II", Small Oil Painting

Stronger Together

Oil

11 x 7 approx

2017

It was painted as part of the from life weekly series. I had this prop around my studio and it was very interesting how it responds to sublight.

Are we there yet - defining your own destination

Once I figured out that I was ready to give up on a nine to six job, the journey actually began. It was not a pre-planned move to quit and start my own studio, but it was not an accident either. It was always in the back of my mind that one day I will paint full-time.

I would not pay much of my time or resources to this dream of mine due to one thing or another. But like they say, you cannot stop the force of an idea whose time has come. Just like that, one day, when the time came - I knew I had to work on it. As I let myself follow on this dream, I have to admit, it seemed so natural as if I had been swimming against the flow all along. It was right there but I had not opened my eyes to see it. But once I did, things started to fall in proverbial alignment.

I received help from left and right, heard encouraging word, and kept going. In the past years that have been dedicated to arts was one of the most relished and grateful time of my life. It gave me opportunity to meet with amazing people around me, learn new things on everyday basis, and above all rediscovering myself all over again.

I hope to contribute in a meaning way, share whatever little I know, and be part of the amazing gift we call life with a purpose in heart. I was recently interviewed by Professional Artist magazine as a part of their 30th anniversary issue. I found it a moment of honor that I am viewed as a part of the artist community and my humble opinion is worthy of being published by this prestigious publication.

Professional Artist Jun/Jul 2016 Issue

I know may of us have those moments that can be a game changer. If its one for you and you are looking for a sign, here it is - take the plunge. We only have one life to live, don't live it with regret of not trying!

Once we are exposed to the pleasures of the journey, we do not long for the destination. The journey becomes the destination!

"Dragonflies - Face the Sun" - Finished and Free to own!

 Dragonflies - Face the Sun

Oil

9 x 12

You receive this painted drawing as a thank you from me when you pledge to become a patron.

Plus, you will receive the other bonus artworks along the way.

If this one is claimed, I will make one just like this or one of your choice.

Learn to Paint, Paint to Learn

 

  Majestic - Recent Artwork
SOLD

 When it comes to paint, I have always something to work on. Mostly because I finish with a start.

Let me explain. I usually have a subject chosen to paint. Mostly faces. Sometimes one person other times, many. Its either a study or complete drawing. In any case, I have more than one artwork to work on. Although only one gets on the easel but in planning, there is always more than one.

Majestic in a Room

As soon as I reach close to the end, I know exactly which one is next. And when I sign the work, which usually happens around the time the piece ends, I start off the new one. And that's when I clean up the area and call it a day.

Majestic 2

This is a tip I picked from some book and I have to say, it is a wonderful one! Give it a try if you ever find yourself facing a creative speed-bump or painter's block, I am sure, it will help you.

 

Majestic 2 

11 x 14

Acrylic on Paper

Available (Click below to purchase)

 

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.

Roses

Roses

Oil 

12 x 16

Available in two weeks

Roses have been painted using only the palette knife on the surface. The texture of the paint is really thick and thus the painting welcomes the viewers to touch.

My old knife

 The new tool

My palette knife broke last week and I ordered a new one online. The shape and material is quite different than what I had been using, so I decided to put it to some use. The result was this exclusive knife painting.

It was amazing to work with paint this viscous, possible to apply only by this new tool. I am loving it.

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!

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:

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!

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. :-)

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