Conch Shell Ganesha

A patron recently commissioned a large portrait of a tiny Ganesha figurine. The unusual sculpture was made to look as if it were assembled of conch shells. The conch is a predatory sea snail found in the Indian Ocean. The Shankha, a conch shell used as a trumpet in Hindu ritual, is praised as a giver of prosperity, longevity, and fame, and is an emblem of the Hindu preserver god Vishnu. 

Detail of Shanka Ganesha

The painting would be a surprise birthday gift for the man's wife who is especially fond of the little Ganesh statue that holds significance for their family. Lord Ganesha, one of the most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon, is the deva of intellect and wisdom. Widely revered as the remover of obstacles,  elephant-headed Ganesh is honored at the start of rites and ceremonies.

Together we selected a beautiful Indian hand-blocked cotton Kalamkari fabric printed with natural vegetable dye to use as the canvas. The fabric design features a large circular mandala with delicate floral and paisley designs. The circular motif would frame the icon like a halo and add another large element to the composition.

Because the painting will be hung on dowels as a scroll, acrylic paint was chosen for its flexibility. The paint will not crack when the scroll is rolled. Another benefit of acrylic here is that it can be used on unprimed cotton canvas without causing the fabric to rot as oil paint would.

Making the uniform brown color of the statue interesting would be a challenge. Another concern was how to incorporate it into a fabric which did not contain brown colors. Using mostly metallic colors, I built up transparent layers of paint which allow the fabric's pattern to show through. This adds depth, complexity, and gives the richness of an aged patina.

A detail of the face (above) shows a good example of the kinds of coincidental occurrences I find fascinating while I paint. Placement of forms often coincide or mirror similar shapes in the pattern of the underlying fabric. Here the arching brows happen to fall inline with the alternating blue and green shapes fanning out from the center of the mandala.


A range of shiny gold, copper, bronze, and silver paints were utilized to emphasize subtle difference in the temperature of light and shadows on the form. Hot red copper was used in the shadows as reflected light bouncing up from the ground while a golden color indicates direct light from above.


Teardrop shaped Paisley motifs, visually rhyming with Ganesha's curling elephant trunk, were scattered to move the viewer's eye around the composition and give relief from the static formal symmetry of the image. I realized mid-stream that the parts of the fabric's central circle left exposed are suggestive of the elephant's ears which are absent on the sculpture.

Shanka Ganesha

acrylic on Kalamkari fabric

54" x 45"

I was given rather short notice, having approximately three weeks to complete the painting by the birthday deadline, but was very happy to spend time on this project during the "safer at home" pandemic weeks of April 2020. Working from home all day everyday, it was nice to be able to alternate between teaching emergency remote college classes online and painting.

The piece was completed on time and the recipient was delighted with her surprise gift! The family happens to be relocating to another state in just two weeks and have promised to send me a photo of the painting installed in their new home. I can't wait to see it displayed!

I am open to doing more special projects on commission. Please feel free to contact me with inquiries. 

Don't forget to check out my artwork available at my Etsy store, Facebook page, as well as my Instagram feed.

Icons & Illusions: Solo Exhibition in Decatur, IL - Part II

Welcome to  "Icons & Illusions", my solo exhibition in Decatur, IL. (March 2-28, 2018)

The Anne Lloyd Gallery staff has done a beautiful job arranging and hanging artwork.

This painting of Kartikeya was a good choice for the centerpiece.

Kartikeya on Peacock

65 x 58 inches (64” rods)

acrylic on hand blocked Kalamkari fabric

A painting of Buddha is flanked by River Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna on the end wall.

Another diptych occupies an adjacent wall.

Three images of Ganesh fill another wall.

Golden Ganesh

26” x 20” image

conte and acrylic on paper 

printed with metallic ink

Tables are set up for an Indian themed spread of food and a wine bar as the staff prepares for the opening reception.

An exhibition preview appeared in the newspaper, Decatur Herald and Review, March 1, 2018. I hope this brings attendees to the reception.

People start arriving.

Two featured pianists are scheduled for tonight. 

Larry Wade, first pianist of the evening, starts his performance as the crowd grows.

It is fun meeting everybody. I even have the chance to discuss curriculum with faculty from the local art college.

All gather for the Artist Talk and a series of speeches to celebrate the Decatur Area Arts Council's 50th Anniversary.

Sue Powell, the gallery director, gives me a nice introduction before I say a few words.

Perhaps I should hold this sign while I teach classes at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee! 

The second pianist, Mike Waltenberger,  plays some of my favorite melodies and ends the evening with a lovely rendition of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess.

SOLD!

Teaching Buddha

49 x 43 inches (48” rods)

acrylic on hand blocked Kalamkari fabric

Thank you Decatur Area Arts Council's Anne Lloyd Gallery for the memorable event and the opportunity to exhibit in the Madden Arts Center!

Ganesh from "An Exclusive Expression of Indian Mythology"

The centerpiece of my recent solo exhibition "An Exclusive Expression of Indian Mythology" was the largest work featured - Dancing Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles. This painting of a Ganesha with twenty arms was a favorite of many attendees. Many folks even had their photos taken with it.

This acrylic painting was the culmination of an evolution involving several versions. The foundation is a yellow ochre hand blocked Kalamkari bedspread in a pattern named "Kensington". The fabric's border 

is used to create the illusion of the ground on which he stands. Huge golden medallions on either side of his legs replace the statue's small attendant figures, bringing the focal point upward. All twenty hands hold unique and symbolicaly meaningful objects. Among the objects we see he holds his broken tusk and a bowl of sweets.

Dancing Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles

48 x 48 inches

acrylic on hand blocked fabric

The mixed media drawing below was the first version. I used a paper which was handmade in Nepal printed with a metallic gold faux bois (French for false wood) pattern.  I selected this wood grain pattern paper because it was visually similar to the striated layers in the stone from which this sculpture had been carved. 

The original statue on which this is based, is light cream colored limestone. In the drawing, variations in warm and cool tones are heightened to provide contrast and variation. The rear arms have cooler grey tones which helps them appear to recede. This also becomes a framing device for the warmer sepia colors in the foreground - especially the face.

Twenty-Armed Ganesha

26” x 20” image

conte and acrylic on paper printed with metallic ink

An oil painting utilizes a full spectrum of colors. Silver paisley shapes and lattice pattern are layered over an abstract arrangement of high intensity hues. A palette of pastel tints and earthy browns form the ganesha with the focus on light and shadow.

Here is a series of photos that show the steps involved with making on of my drawings. 

First, is a photo of statue which is at the Chicago Art Institute.

This photo shows the stencil I used to lay a basic design in acrylic paint. The gold ink printed on the paper creates a very slick surface which is very difficult to draw on because the chalk does not stick. I use some gold acrylic paint to make a "toothier" surface which will grip the chalks.

The stenciled design is subtle and will become hidden as the drawing develops.

With just a bit of light and shadow the illusion of a volumetric form appears.

I am satisfied with the way the golden patterned paper has contributed an ornate feel appropriate to character of the icon which inspired this finished piece.

Golden Ganesh

26” x 20”

conte and acrylic on paper printed with metallic ink