'My personal philosophy is to open people's minds to the beauty of our times and the scenes of everyday life around us' - usha

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Painting of 'Fly Over' - Bannergatta Fly Over.

I have been quite busy for th past few months with the 'Body Language' solo exhibition in February; and the 'Prathibimba' group exhibition in May. (both 2009)


Now, I have switched back to the 'painting' mode; which is where I feel most comfortable!


Here is the latest. A view of the vehicular traffic at the Bannerughatta Flyover is most interesting. The beautiful curves of the flyover itself was inspiration enough for me.


After which I concentrated on the bright sunlight and the shadows cast by the vehiclular traffic. More challenging, was to paint the silhouttes of the bike riders, because the bright sunlight had made their bodies almost transluscent! I really enjoyed painting this cityscape.


This is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x16". Please click HERE for purchase options.

Friday, May 22, 2009

media reports on 'Prathibimba' group art show






The Newspaper media has been very kind to our group show. Leading dailies Bangalore Mirror, The Indian Express, The Times of India, Andra Jyothi, Enaadu, Rajastan Patrika are some of the newspapers who had covered about us. To read media reviews, and to see paintings displayed, please click 'Prathibimba group art show'.

The review in Andra Jyothi was a pleasant surprise for me. This article written in simple and catchy Telugu, and is presented by an artist of great calibre called Akbar. Akbar is a Hyderabad based artist, who also writes articles on art in leading Telugu daily Andra Jyothi.

Akbar is a self taught artist and his artworks have been exhibited worldwide, in solo shows in New York -U.S.A, Hyderabad and participated in many Group shows. His works are in the private collection of celebrity personalities - Padamshri Mittal, Shri K.R. Narayan ( past-president of India), The Harward University - U.S.A and many more collectors in India and abroad. He has also contributed to Telugu Litereture with his Cover Paintings, Cover Designs to Poetry, Fiction and Nonfictions Books.
His paintings are at present displayed in a 'Group show of Hyderabad artists' and you can see them by clicking on 'Art Maestros' Art Gallery - New Delhi.















Thursday, May 21, 2009

Paintings by APSA children




I was requested to distribute the prizes to the children who had taken part in the art workshop conducted by my friend and fellow aritst Sujata Tibrewala. Sujata (beside me) and M/s Shiela Devraj - Director APSA.
The APSA - ( association for promoting social action) Dream school children come from a deprived background like street children, rag pickers, newspaper boys, household servants, child labourors and generally children in distress. APSA gives them the education and opportunities that any normal child would have had at their age. The paintings were very expressive of their feelings.
Here is a well executed painting by Rajiv, an APSA child. He said that he wanted to see more birds like these flying in his neigbourhood of Vibhithipura lake, which is a sanctuary for rare migratory birds.
Click Pratibimba the Renaissance Group show to take a photo tour of the show, see more paintings by us and the APSA children.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Painting of 'Potfull of bounty'


Beautiful orange flowers sprouting out of a small mud pot is the subject matter of this painting. What was very interesting to me was the play of sunlight and shadows involved here.
'Potfull of (nature's) bounty is an acrylic painting on canvas of size 12"x 16".


For purchase options, please click 'HERE'.

Friday, May 1, 2009

A group show with a difference - Children's art works displayed along with accomplished arists' works

My friend and fellow-artist Sujata Tibrewala came up with this idea of show casing children's art works with our own.


Why not? I thought at first- it is a novel idea. Age no bar in art! But when I came to know who these children were, I decided it was a noble idea as well.

Sujata has been conducting an art workshop for the APSA dream school children for the past couple of months; trying to bring out their latent talent.

These children are taken care of by the community development organisation called APSA ( Association for Promoting Social Action) which focuses on the development of urban slums. These children have once been street children, rag pickers, newspaper boys, household servants, child labourors and generally children in distress. APSA gives them the education and opportunities that any normal child would have had at their age.
Showcasing my artworks along with these children's artworks is indeed an honour for me.
An added social cause is - that a part of the sales proceeds will be given to 'Uthkarsh Residents Initiative'; a social organisation that works to reclaim the Vibhuthipura Lake Bangalore; which is a home for migratory birds.

Certainly this double noble cause is enough reason for my next show which will be a group show called 'Prathibimba' at the prestigious 'Renaissance Art Gallery' Bangalore.
If you happen to be in this part of the world, please do visit the show, to see a variety of artworks done by these children along with abstracts and realistcs from the seniors (Sujata and me).
THE INVITATION
INVITATION to 'PRATHIBIMBA'' group art exhibition, showcased in aid of the revival of 14 acres of Vibhutipura lake. Bangalore.

This art show will exhibit artworks done by the APSA DREAM SCHOOL children; artists SUJATA TIBREWALA and USHA SHANTHARAM.
Venue: RENAISSANCE ART GALLERY
104,Westminster,
13, Cunningham Road
Bangalore - 560052.
From 9th May to 13th May 2009
Timiings 11 a.m to 7 p.m
Sunday - 11 a.m to 3 p.m
INAUGURATION
By Chief Guest: Shri Nandiesh Reddy MLA
Inauguration time: Saturday 9th May at 11 a.m.
Guest of Honour: Maj Gen (Dr) Anju Manchanda
VSM C.A.O Vydehi Institute or Medical Sciences and Research Center. Lake Warden - Vibhuthipura Lake.
Host Dignitary: Ms Shiela Devraj - Director APSA

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

APSA DREAM SCHOOL CHILDREN- (Association for Promoting Social Action) is a grass roots community development organization that provides children in distress - like street children and child laborers; with proper education and exposure; to bring about awareness in them. Prathibimba conducted an art workshop for these children to bring out their latent talent. The resultant paintings will be displayed at the show, and the proceeds of which will go to APSA.
http://www.apsaindia.org/

SUJATA TIBREWALA - Her artworks reflect the deep understanding of myriad emotions and feelings drawn from her own experiences, which are beautifully depicted in her paintings.
Ph 9845126951
http://www.prathibimba.in/

USHA SHANTHARAM (thats me)! - She paints from contemporary real life, as she believes that it is the truest form of expression.

VIBHUTHIPURA LAKE
A part of the proceeds of this event will be used for the ‘Utkarsh Residents Initiative’ .to reclaim the Vibuthipura Lake, which is home to rare migratory birds, but off late has been encroached upon and used as dumping ground for debris from construction sites. Incidentally, it is also in the vicinity of APSA premises.
Please come with family and friends.