Saturday 23 October 2010

Decorative Artwork

- Post by Anpu Somanath
I have always loved to travel and experience the culture, art, architecture and history of a new place. Of all of the places, I have traveled; Rajasthan holds a unique place in my heart, an experience that has had me spellbound in all my three visits to the region. Whether it is the sand dunes or the massive forts, palaces, or havelis, the exquisite mirror work, the intricate sandstone carvings, the paintings of vibrant red and gold adorning the walls of the havelis, or clay art with mirrors on the mud walled homes in Kutch and Jaisalmer, there is no other place like Rajasthan. I have been greatly influenced by this region and have tried to capture the beauty and splendor of the region in my paintings. I am not a trained painter, but listen to my intuition, work with bright colors, mixed media and use non-conventional items, like socks…J to paint or dudh ki bags for the clay work on my paintings. Patty has given me the opportunity to share my artwork in her lovely blog. Thank you Patty and here are some of my work…with a special focus on Clay art on painting. Young Kutchi GirlOriginally planned to do Lippan kam and attempt to recreate the gorgeous mud + glass mirrored walls in Kutch and Jaisalmer. After 2 unsuccessful, messy attempts, settled for conework in the background
Rajasthani women - Madhubani on glassConework using black frolica paint + clay on wasted Bathroom glass window Madhubani close-up - Lippan KamFinally some Lippan work on plywood. Truly admire the Kutchi women who very easily create the magic of Lippan on the mud walls. Having visited some of the homes, one can sit for hours admiring the intricate handiwork… Lippan Kam closeup - Lippan Kam 2 - Lippan Kam 2 closeup - Hope you enjoyed the paintings…have to call my amma and thank her for sending the Dudh ki bags…:-)
- ANPU

24 comments:

  1. Anpu, Fabulous work! Very inspiring- no not to make them (bet they are time consuming and super difficult), but to fill my home with them :) Love all the beautiful art, but my faves are the clay Lippan work. Kudos!

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  2. Anpu, these are simply gorgeous---I'm amazed at all the talent out there!! Love love love your klippan kaam...I've been "planning" to do something similar for so long now....you're an inspiration!!

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  3. wow! this is one talented lady! loved all of your work!

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  4. Thanks Cherry, your piece will be ready soon [as soon as you give me the specifications].

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  5. Thanks Gagan, and looking fwd to seeing all the lovely pieces. Lovely talking to you...will be in touch

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  6. Anpu, your Madhubani on glass is fabulous, so also the Lippan..I enjoyed looking at your work today!
    There it goes again, one more common love.. the joy of Rajashtan :-)

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  7. nice artwork.....i always try to pick up local artwork during my travels to decorate my home...it serves both as a memory of our trip and aesthetic decoration!!!

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  8. Lippan is fabulous Anpu! but ofcourse, the Rajasthani women painting should be on a new post. Very well done...the shades, the co-ordination. Love all you work! :)

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  9. Wow!.. your work is fabulous,Anpu.I like the detailing on the madhubani

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  10. I love Rajasthan too, and having visited Jaipur more than 3 times and still not tired of the place. Beautiful pieces of art, loved the Lippan Kaam (didn't know what it was called, thanks fr enlightening;))

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  11. This is fantastic! I love your post, and have been a fan of yours for a long time! Im glad to see its finally coming out in the open for the world to see :)
    - Shruthi

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  12. Thanks Padmaja for the lovely comments...esp coming from a person, I admire. Yes, our love for Rajastan is indeed one more thing we share in common...

    Thanks Shooting star

    Thanks Harshi... all the artwork is my stress antidote...:-)next time sessions will be individual posts...

    Thanks Bedazzeled - it was fun trying new items...i did say i was not very convential...:-)

    Thanks Rekha - yes, need to make more visists, but vac times are so small..:-((

    Thanks Shruthi...for all teh encouragement...:-)))

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  13. Anu,

    Love your work. Love the colors. Every time I see a new creation of yours I wonder what are you doing in the IT industry. I think we/ world deserves to see more of your work.

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  14. Anpu...beautiful paintings...I am proud to let others know how talented my niece is...keep it up. We love to see your work.

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  16. Thanks Sajani...If I were not in IT, how would I have come across wounderful people like you?..:-) But yes, people at W are still surprised to see this dimension of me...

    Hi Prabha Chitti...thanks for the lovely comments...:-)

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  17. Anpu...these are fabulous. I really love the last 2 pieces on the clay! What are they? Clay tiles? Just incredibly beautiful stuff! The beauty of Rajasthan never ceases to amaze me!

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  18. Oh gosh!! Anu!! what a fabulous fabulous post.. I love Rajesthan too... But I tell you.. this is surely an overdose for me.. I'd like to see them all again.. with tutorials.. (so not fair!)

    Loved all your work.. You are truly one super talented woman!! I'm so so pleased... that you are sharing this on colours dekor... makes me happy happy! *smiles* Thank you..

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  19. Thanks Kamini, yes would love to go to Rajasthan again,,:-)The last 2 pieces are made of natural clay, that i got from Michaels. + Carpenter glue and Mirrors. you shape them with your hand,,,and let your imagination fly...and ohh, used acrylic Red oxide paint for color...
    I also had some wooden spoon like tools... that i used to make the indentions...

    Hey Patty - glad you are back...and glad you liked...Infact got in touch with gagan...and sent out the tutorial pics...will send it out to you...:-)

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  20. These are gorgeous. Love the details in all. My favorite is the Madhubani, since its from the state I grew up in.

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  21. Hey Anpu,

    I don't know how I missed this post! Wow! Your work is gorgeous! I didn't know the work was Lippan Kam till I saw your post. The first one completely stole my heart. What are the different mediums you've used? Is there any chance you might do a tutorial post? I went to your profile and couldn't find an email id, to ask you the zillion questions buzzing in my head!

    - divya

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  22. Absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking,WOWWW!!!Love all the work.
    I tried Lippan Kam work with Crayola-air-dry clay on canvas but cracked and pieces fell off after drying:-( Any suggestions? Would love to see a tutorial post ,please.
    What material did you use for the cone work in the young kutch girl artwork?

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  23. hi...i am a great fan of lippan kaam and abs loved ur work..esp the one in red..gheru...can you please tell me in a tutorial format how to do it or else do u take orders for a similar mirror frame or wall decor....pls reply asap
    shilpa

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  24. Now you can sell your Artwork online… Check this out!!!
    Sell your Artwork

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