"Reflected"

Oil on Canvas - 30x30 inches

I attribute this painting, and some others, to a journalist named Akash (Instagram @gmbakash), who has done great work in drawing attention to poverty in Bangladesh. This painting taught me to work on my "short game", a golf analogy, where one needs to focus on the last part of the task.

"Chai-walla"

Oil on Canvas - 24x30 inches

The ubiquitous roadside tea-vendor in India. I remember stepping out of my office complex on Secretariat Road in Hyderabad and having tea made by this old lady. During pandemic and related lockdowns, it is people like these who were among the greatest victims! So when I found this photograph of a roadside "chaiwalla", I realized I had to paint it. Interesting project. I learnt the use of gold foil in oil paintings too!

"Happy Feet"

Oil on canvas - 24x30 inches

This one was so much fun to paint! I'm learning to paint feet (a little bit easier than painting hands, methinks), and continuing to build on the technique of underpainting. The reference photograph was one I took of my son at the beach.

"Flower Girl"

Oil on canvas - 24x24 inches

When I came across this picture on the page of a photo-journalist, I knew I had to paint it. I did this on an old canvas that had another painting that I wasn't too happy about, so the painting has some interesting textures.

The subject inspired a conversation with friends about beautiful places like Haridwar and Hrishikesh, on the foothills of the Himalayas. Both these places bring back memories from a very long time ago, for me.