Ever Changing Nature

Nature has its own mysterious ways to offer drama, amusement, and sense of immediacy for us to enjoy and interpret in our own words and capacity. Most times, a gorgeous view humbles and delights in the manner nothing else can - leaving me speechless in awe and wonder.

In moments like this, not knowing what better can I do, I try to put my ever-ready hd-camera to some use. In this post, I would like to share the recent captures the fleeting scenes of clouds floating in the vast spread of blue skies. Here are some humble attempts to catch those moments.

I took this picture from the middle of the street. I had to make an pico-second emergency stop to appreciate the Van Gogh painting created in the sky.

In the week of Halloween, setting sun put up an immense show to attract the attention from the human festivities.

 Sky as seen after a rainy day, as it started to clear off. limitless screens of clouds set a grand stage.

Mission San Jose skyscape

When the clouds settle in the rearview.

 A cloud parade

An early morning sky in this Fall

Summer Sky

Clouds rest on the cross-street, while a horse jumps at the top

Clouds on the loose

A down-quilt of clouds enveloping the sky

A heart on horizon

Are you a nature lover? Do you like to watch sky? It would be nice to see what you have to share.

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!

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!

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. 

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!

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!

Day 2 - Charcoal Portrait Started

Not sure why my last post is missing from the blogosphere!

I can no longer recall exactly what was on that post. Ummm, that's not very effective! Okay so, let me take a moment and see.

I think, the last post was about the first day. Actually, that Isn't very brilliant given this post is titled Day 2. So, I guess, it was on what I did for that bigger goal. I read. And I am quite glad that finally I understood the theory behind the value, intensity, hue and temperature.

Reading counts.** But its the doing that impresses the understanding better. Its like, confirming by testing it yourself. So, that was something left for the next day.

I am convinced that if heart truly desires something, that thing inevitably becomes accessible .

• Define expectation clearly to see the outcome clearly.
•  Give it a timeline and work smart. Hard work is essential, naturally. 
•  Make sure you enjoy every part of the journey, otherwise its a chore. And this chore, in turn, makes the next step even a harder chore.

That was pretty much about the first day. getting back to day 2.

I practiced drawing. A charcoal pencil portrait. Worked good on marking the edges, its where the artistic eye comes handy. Worked on values.

 ** Margaret Kessler's Color Harmony

Ideas - the source of everything creative

"The hardest part of any journey is taking that first step." - Unknown

The First Step

While getting back to reading, writing, painting, or anything you love should not be hard, its easier said than done. I wish I could pinpoint the day or the time or the thought that held be from the corner of my shirt and made me stop in my track. Now that, I say it aloud here, I think I can backtrack the chain of events that made me realize the power of ideas. I mean, really what it is.

Is this the same wisdom that proverbially comes with age?

Or even at more profound level, called enlightenment. Whatever this is, its extremely pleasant. Like finding a hundred dollar bill in the inside pocket of the jacket that you so wear often but don't care to check. I mean it was there alright, but it made you happy when you finally owned it!

I know it may sound slightly disconnected at the time, but I have come to realize the timing is really the key between the good and truly refined!  And it is almost divine to have a combination of the life changing idea and the luxury of right timing to atleast jot it down for accomplishing that idea. If I could do that, I would consider it a huge success to get my first step in the right direction.

The Clarity of Thought
  
No matter how good your intentions are and how resourceful you may be, if you don't act at the right time, its all for nothing. As I progress here, unraveling the chain of thoughts, I am finding things more and more incoherent as opposed to what I initially had in mind. It has to go.

So, here is a start over. Some bullet points, some random ramblings and then getting back at ironing out the kinks of expressions and elaborating  for myself and whoever comes along for the ride. Fasten your seatbelts!

 
Here goes

• Write down the ideas. All of them. 
• Smile
•  Be yourself. You are you, because of your past. Accept it and try to make the best out of it for the future 
• Every day is not just a new day. It may be the beginning of something special, so treat it with respect. Please, don't waste a single moment.
• Keep the thoughts in the right prioritized manner. What good is a genius idea that is left unexpressed.
• Work with focus, determination, and with the expectation of the best.
• Just do it, when you know, you can!   

Have Maturity, Display It 

Know what you want. Write it down.
How would you know what you want if you haven't known. Like, how would you know strawberry is your favorite fruit unless you have eaten it! 

Ummmm, wrong metaphor?


Wait, here is what I am trying to say. If you don't know where you want to go, how would you reach there? Okay, this is better. 

Ask Yourself

• What do you want to accomplish in 5 years, 1 year, 6 months, 1 month, a week, a day. Right now?
• If not now, when
• Are different dreams mutually exclusive?  I hope not, otherwise, its gonna be hard, if not downright infeasible.

Label of the New Post

As I start off the new dream, which has to be shared here sometime soon, I have chosen to keep the progress log public. By baring, I hope to keep myself motivated and energized. Also, I hope this will take me an inch closer to my goal everyday.

 

Vegetarian Pizza

Using Rupi's recipe with some changes -

1 c       whole wheat flour
2 t       baking powder
3-4 t    butter
1 t        sugar
1 t        flaxseed powder
3/4 c     milk
pinch of salt

Method

Mix all ingredients, knead into a soft dough
Spread it in a circle on the pizza stone
Heat the oven
Apply pasta sauce, sprinkle shredded cheese and toppings of your choice and bake in hot oven (400 F) for 10-15 min

Legwarmers and Jumper Dress

I saw these on Craftzine and love it.
I had seen another pair where the top resembled high boots. Can't find a pic of it. Anyways, I know what it was and thus, I will post my own pic if done.

One of those days when I will have plenty of both time and yarn, I will make this dress for self -

Right now the main goal is to finish what's on my Bond.

Knitted Pants & Pompom Scarf

I just saw these in Craftzine. I am thinking of making these sometime soon.

Three Same Themed Paintings

I am thinking of working on three canvases simultaneously. The idea is to have a common theme for all the three. Something like Fire, Earth and Sky or may be all three in different shades of blue. There would be some harmony among all...may be all have human figures in different moods...

A new idea is taking shape

I am planning on a baby-dress with straps.