Artist Intro ~ Amrita Rao

On Colours Dekor today... is Amrita Rao ...

Over to Amrita.. 

I'm a self-taught artist focusing on oils on canvas. My passion for art has been a long-standing one, right from childhood. I've always loved color, and loved drawing and been encouraged by my father who is an amateur artist himself. He made it possible for me to play with oil pastels, watercolor, sketch pens and even oil paint at a young age.  There were also books about the great masters always lying around at home. My earliest remembrances of school competitions have been of drawing and painting! 

As I grew up however, studies, marriage and then work took a more important place in my life and I almost lost touch with the artist in me. However, there came a turning point in my life after the birth of my daughter as I could not work full time and ultimately stopped working so I could look after her better. I was at a loss at the time to know what to do with myself the rest of the day when she was at school and it was my mother who reminded me about my artistic talents and urged me to take the step to become a professional artist. I started with pencil sketches at first but soon switched to oils as I simply love colors and cannot be happy unless I've created something vibrant. 

Over the last year and a half, I've painted a variety of paintings - still life, portraits, landscapes and abstract. I've sold four paintings and made two custom-made ones (not reproductions, I could never bring myself to copy) to suit the wall color and general color scheme of my client's home. I'm as yet discovering the scope of my gift and developing my style. I enjoy the freedom of not having to stick to schedules everyday and yet have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I've discovered creative work is as taxing and tiring as any job but so much more enjoyable, satisfying and uplifting. Whatever I see now inspires me to paint and my mind is always busy thinking about a new work of art! I hope you will all enjoy looking at my works as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

Do leave a comment.. and inspire the artist.. *smiles*

a little artist

Introducing to you today, is 5 year old Mowgli… (Indrani's little one!)

Mowgli is very talkative with lots of queries about everything, flying and floating in his day dreams with his purple coloured spects…   His first love is car. He is owner of 60-65 cars, 90% of them are scale model of originals. Just by a glimpse he can recognize the right car without any fault. He often gives his mom Indrani training on how to recognize these car.  

His second love is painting, which is obvious from all the work done. When he was around 2 and ½, he started drawing. From then on, his parents always stocked new drawing books and other materials. 

And when he is the mood.. he can finish a book in just two hours and then start screaming for more pages… 

His aim in life to become 1) Astronaut, 2) Pilot, 3) Automobile designer, 4) Truck driver.

His future plan is to buy 5 Tata Nano cars (different colours), 3 Audi, 3 Mercedes, 1 Fiat 500, 2 Volkswagen  Beetle, 1 big Concrete Mixer, 1 Rescue Van, 3 big private jets, 1 Helicopter etc etc etc.

Here is how he colours plastic containers... and reuses them.. 

butterflies on plastic .. in acrylic... 

And this is an empty rasgulla tin... He made this with his mom...

The Red jar is a glass jar, painted with acrylic and marker pen...

What do you think of the little magician... 

My Story ~ Kavitha

Today, I'm featuring Kavitha ~ a wife, a mom, an artist ... The series called 'My Story' will be similar to showcases, however, all the views below are of the artist herself and Colours Dekor will simply be used as a platform.... Saying that Colours Dekor is not responsible for any content below... If it offends anyone, please write to me on coloursdekor@gmail.com individually and we can look into the matter.... 

"I am Kavitha, a mom of a soon to be teen. Brought up in Chennai, lived in Dubai and now in Mumbai. I majored in Psychology as I was always passionate about people and their emotions. I think my strengths of being a good listener and communicator helps me connect with people.

I have no memories of deciding to “become” an artist. It seems as if I have always drawn and made marks. My decision was more about embracing the fact that I was an artist. After much soul searching, I decided that I had to be true to my calling in life and silence the art critic inside myself. This has allowed me to more fully enjoy the creative process.

When I create, my inner child is let lose to do whatever she pleases with the paint for that particular day. My best pieces come about freely and without a deadline or a set agenda. There is no pressure to sell or be validated and no struggle between myself and what my tools are doing. There is just me and the paint.

I have a deep interest in and fascination for the creative process. For me I’m not sure where or when the process actually begins. Perhaps it starts with that first hint of inspiration. Or maybe not even until the first stroke of a brush hits the painting surface.

But when the process starts there’s no doubt about it. I just go with it.

Inspiration for me comes from many different directions and sources. It could be anything from life experiences, the materials I use, music or even from other artists. When I view the world around me everything is a potential work of art. In my mind I’m constantly painting my surroundings. Always asking what colors do I need to mix in order to accurately render what I see.

Painting has become the means of conveying the inner landscape of my heart and mind.

My recent works are displayed in  Kala Kosh and hope you enjoy and share my happiness ."

If you'd like to share your story and your talent, email me on coloursdekor@gmail.com

Invitation ~ Art Exhibition, Germany

Art Exhibition in Germany!! 

Fremdeblicke team is currently hosting another Vernissage, the 53rd in the Fremdeblicke series, showcasing a group of Indian Artists.

Hop on to the blog for more details... and watch out for individual artist reviews as well.. 

This exhibition will make a sincere trial to compile India in to the evening.

So if in Germany, do visit... *smiles*

The blog is http://die-fremde-blicke.blogspot.de/  - (some pages are still under progress)

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/fremdeblickpage : http://www.facebook.com/fremdeblickpg

Madhuri Krishna

Happy International Women's day to you all... And on this occasion, on Colours Dekor today, is an amazing personality... A woman I truly admire... 

Madhuri Krishna

Madhuri Krishna is software professional and self taught artist, based in bay area, USA. She specializes in Art Design, Fine Art Drawing, Painting and Photography. She also designed various art websites, art magazine covers. She is interested in traditional Tanjore Art and Mysore paintings..... spends lot of time exploring different painting techniques, painting concepts....etc!  

She is an active volunteer/supporter of various non-profit organizations in Bay-Area, she is the art director for various dramas, dance and music performances. 

Inspired by Tanjore Art and Mysore painting Madhuri’s work have a very traditional, folk art feel to them.

Publications:

Her paintings have been published in ISKCON children books and her art has been exhibited in various local exhibitions.

Her paintings were published in ISKCON children magic books (www.illuminationeducation.com or www.learntoreadenglish.co.uk) and her art work is exhibited in various Bay Area local exhibitions (Fine Arts League of Cupertino, Sunnyvale Library and Cupertino Library)

Her art work is recently published in one of the best Indian Artists site OfIndianOrigin as the Sunday Special article (Nov 21, 2010). http://ofindianorigin.co.uk/sunday-special/traditional-paintings

Volunteer work:She volunteered for teaching art techniques at Stocklmeir School, Collins Elementary School, MyDreamAcademy and Sarvaguna Learning Center.

She designed Kuchipudi Sammelenam Art website (http://kuchipudi.siliconandhra.org/) in 2008 for Silicon Andhra, and also she was the volunteer art director for Vancouver SaPaSa various music dance performances, designed art templates in 2002-2006 and for VedicYagna Center she designed website design in 1999.

Her little girls room... handpainted

Madhuri's hobby room...

.... Madhubani... 

Tanjore Art...

and.... a painting to give the living room a new look...

Now ... tell me... Doesn't she inspire you??!! Don't you admire her personality? I totally admire women who follow their hearts.... 

Oh.. and do you want to see more images of her child's room?? Be honest!! *wink*

...Art for a Social Cause...

Hello everyone...Do you remember reading the post on Padmaja Madhu's murals and paintings on Colours Dekor? You can find it here and here. I was so captivated by the images, that I immediately hopped onto Padmaja's blog and sent her an email. The very next day, she responded back and over phone calls, emails and family visits (She is located in Mumbai), we became good friends.

Padmaja is blessed with this innate sense of color, proportion and a penchant to detail,...but what stands out are the subjects, that she chooses to paint, be it a traditional mural, a landscape, or a figurative abstract...Themes that make you ponder,...Pieces of introspection and conversation, that you want to discuss over a cuppa of chai,...Or you are awestruck at the spirituality that shines through, in her traditional pieces. Most importantly, all of her Art is for a Social cause - the monies are utilized to provide education to financially under-privledged children, who want to study. Isn't this wounderful! A lady, who is making use of her talent, to contribute back to the community! She is doing her small bit, by ensuring these kids have a good future, ahead of them. Listening to some of her experiences and the happiness shared by the parents, I had tears in my eyes. I love her paintings, but I respect her more for the individual she is. Way to go Padmaja!

I have 6 of Padmaja's paintings at home,...and one day, it suddenly dawned on me that a Padmaja painting would be a precious gift for my brother. My brother and Padmaja worked on the subject and what followed was a beautiful Laxmi Narayana painting. I was very curious on my brother's reaction to the painting when he finally saw it 3 weeks ago at her Mumbai home. He was plainly Stunned, Speechless and Captivated!...*smile*. He told me that the picture attached didn't do justice *smile*...it was far more beautiful! The Laxmi Narayana faces were luminescent!...*more smiles*. I am including the painting below and another that Padmaja made on a commission. You can contact Padmaja at padsart@gmail.com, and don't forget to check out her paintings on her blog...her latest 'An Extra mile' is a wowie!! and her 'The Diamonds or the Silver?'...I want you to see it for yourself...

Padmaja M's Laxmi Narayana painting ...


Padmaja M's Ganesha painting ...


...the first painting is a gift from Padmaja, on what we both do best, aptly named 'Conversation'. I made the Rajasthani painting, to give company to the first...*smile*


...a conversation area at home... with the two paintings...

Hope you enjoyed the post...Adios until next week.

Contributed by

~ ~ Anpu

aRt Efforts

Helloe lovelies !!

The last couple of weeks have been nothing short of M.A.D!! According to me a real break is only when I have 'me' time - having the little one at home with me, there is no time to breathe. He's become more of an attention seeker these days and everything more or less revolves around his activities ;-) *grin*

I don't have any craft tutorial this week... but I only have a piece of art that I have painted to be hung in the Guest room. I haven't framed it as yet, I just finished it couple of days ago. How does it look?

It is honestly the first time I have ever painted something like this. I do motifs on pottery and paint designs on glass - but this is a debut effort. I did it solely with water-colours. I am planning to outline the flowers with a thin black pen...hoping it won't look too kiddish, what do you think?

Do you like it? :)

Happy Easter and have a gorgeous weekend !!

CreationS - The Essence of Arts

Today I'm super excited to introduce to you Rachana ... and her amazing work!! Here is a bundle of talent .... Her work makes you stop and look at it.... The eyes are so expressive that she really doesn't have to explain the emotions in words... wow!! Well done Rachana... you make us all very very proud of you!!

Now a little about Rachana

Painting used to be a hobby from the time Rachana was a little girl.... In 2009, after her marriage, she moved to Maryland, USA.. With constant support and encouragement from her hubby, she is now a professional artist!! Her work proves that she is good with Indian art styles. However her eagerness to learn all art forms.. and master them all is what her blog - CreationS - The Essence of Art show cases!!

After all kinds of experiments ~ good and bad... Rachana is now back to her original style.. The Indian artwork!! She shared her work in the form of Indian art, depicting Indian traditions, their meanings, the emotions behind them.

Don't you just love her work!! Please check her blog - CreationS - The Essence of Arts. Support her work.... read more about her.... and contact her for more details...

If you'd like to be featured on Colours Dekor, write to me on torresp27@hotmail.com

Art and more by Meera

Here is a visual treat… rather retreat of art work… It will transport you to another world!! Can you tell that a true artist lives here. You’ve got to see Meera’s work!! Without formal training in art… her work is magical, aesthetic, exquisite and mystical.. She will surely leave you spell bound!!


She blogs at Art by Meera… and this post is an attempt to show you her gorgeous artwork and how she displays her work at home – pairing it with artefacts from other artists, things she collected during travels and stuff that she made. The rangolis are either painted or embroidered over the years.

My blog ‘Artbymeera’ is an
indulgence - a place to share my adventures in painting, photography and
reflections on life. It is also where I share my inspirations, my
love of reading, science and nature. I came to drawing and painting as an adult
and have been dabbling in it for about fifteen years now – even though I feel I
just started *smiles* I don’t have formal art training but have benefited from a
few classes here and there or workshops now and then by other artists.

I am thankful for the abundance of DVDs, books, and of course, the internet that
allows me to explore art the world over and expand my knowledge and
understanding of art and form friendships with other artists. I use water
media, colour pencils or graphite and find myself using them all
in the same piece. I paint whatever captures my imagination and try both
realistic and abstract styles to convey my impressions.

I love colours and often experiment with textures. My family members
are my personal art critics, unconditional supporters and cheer leaders and of
course great art patrons too *huge smile*

Over the years I have won a couple of modest awards, juried into a few local,
national and even one international show. I look forward to see where my art
adventures take me :)

I wont talk any more.. and will let the photographs talk for themselves..

Would you like to showcase your artwork, home or any other talent on Colours Dekor?? Read ‘Showcase’… coz I’d love to feature you and your work… specially if you are an upcoming talent. Write to me on torresp27@hotmail.com and I’d love to provide you with Colours Dekor. *smiles*