Toast to the coasters

Coasters for all

Coasters have always played an important part in creating the perfect ambiance and experience for me while having tea or coffee. The warli coasters especially for those who cherish ethnic sense and settings and contemporary coasters for those who prefer a chic and casual ambiance. Coasters undoubtedly come across as multipurpose products used in our daily lives.

For all the moods and settings, hand painted coasters from Senorita Art collection turns the usual tea or coffee experience into a memorable one for solitary souls, couple or a group. Cheers!!:)

BLOGGER ART TRAIL by GOOD HOMES

How often have you visited any art gallery in your life? The perception that goes around when it comes to visiting an art gallery is that one needs to have big pockets and patronize art.

                                            
For me, an art gallery visit goes beyond the shackles of judging the artwork and also whether its worth to be bought or sold at a particular price or not. Its the entire experience that attracts me and I strongly feel that an art gallery has much more to offer. My  thoughts were reinforced when I was recently invited for "Blogger Art Trail" event organized by Good Homes magazine during their annual public art initiative Art Week 2013 (25th Nov-1st Dec). The event involved bringing art closer to everyone by exploring some of South Mumbai's prominent and finest Art Galleries on a walking tour. The Art trail kicked off at The Pantry, Kala Ghoda, a quaint stylish cafe' with all white soothing decor and witnessed the get together of bloggers, art enthusiasts, architects and artists. 

The Pantry, Kala Ghoda

While enchanting Ronitaa Italia-Dhanu, Editor of Good Homes flagged off the event, the highly spirited Elise Foster Vander Elst, Director Asia Art Projects along with the Good Homes Team led the trail thereafter.

After savouring delicious snacks while discussing art with like-minded folks, the fun filled art trail finally began:-

1. Gallery 7
Treat your eyes with scintillating artworks by 7 inspiring artists under one roof including paintings, installation art and photographs.

                                                        Pic courtesy: Binisha Ajmera, Good Homes

In Conversation with Chandra Sachdev, Owner  of Gallery 7

2. Art Musings

What was most striking about this gallery is that it houses diverse artist collection with completely different painting styles. The ongoing exhibition was by artist Gopikrishna who prefers his artworks to not to be tagged as surreal but rather as a parallel world reality.

'Marriage of Fishes' by Gopikrishna

The gallery owner was kind enough to allow a sneak peek into Paresh Maity's upcoming exhibition "Symphony of Silence" from 10 Dec' 13-15 Jan'14. Yes, he is the same artist who painted the famous 850ft long painting for Delhi's T3 International Airport. Inspired by nature, his paintings are bright and colorful with the signature natural light on the subjects in his artworks. 

Beautiful landscape by Paresh Maity

3. Gallery Maskara

Go to third pasta lane in Colaba and the funky exteriors open up into a huge warehouse turned gallery hosting the exhibition "The Ideal Boy" by a very talented artist Roshan Chhabria. All his artworks made on tinted paper with sharp detailing using different forms of media seemed to re-accentuate that 'Perfection lies in Imperfection.'

Painting from 'The Ideal Boy' Collection

4. Sakshi Art Gallery

This gallery hosted the debut exhibition of a young aspiring artist from West Bengal. I was completely swayed by the use of vibrant colours, detailing and the unique kitsch on huge canvases beautifully exploring the construction of reality and glorifying some of the mundane activities in an unusual fabulous style.

Exhibition of Kalighat Painting in Victoria memorial, Kolkata

5. 1/29 Studio

I didn't know the walk through the busy dark streets of Colaba, going up two floors of the steep narrow staircase to reach the studio, was only to find myself pleasantly surprised. The door opened to a cosy and warm Art Studio with dim lighting and completed the definition of art gallery to me by exhibiting every art object that I could think of; be it the sculptures, photographs, decorative art, installation art, textiles or paintings. And when I thought this was it, I was treated to lovely live music by international performers.

Moulded metal mesh installation art@1/29 studio

What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

The artworks make you travel to a different world altogether and consciously or unconsciously impart life learning lessons. Nothing remains abstract or abstruse, its all in the mind and the best part is everybody has their freedom of expression and interpretation; be it the Artist or the Art Connoisseur. There is no right or wrong in the world of art. Who says its necessary to be a creative person to visit an art gallery? Any person who is open minded, appreciates freedom of expression, and simply possess zest to explore life would definitely enjoy visiting such art galleries. You never know when you may find answers to unanswered questions of life hidden in these artworks!

Thanks to the Good Homes Team to organize a memorable art trail that can be followed anytime by anyone again and again! 
                                                                            Pic courtesy: Binisha Ajmera, Good Homes

For all my blogger friends, I leave you with an artwork installed at Gallery 7 to ponder and tell me what do you think this is all about? Looking forward to your comments! :)

Rest, Relax & Rejuvenate

Soothe Spa Art

Don't you think that the "Spa" has become an overrated concept these days? I don't deny that some of the spas may be really relaxing but overall they have literally become a fad value. To some relaxation means only when they land up in a spa and for those who can't really make it to spa for whatsoever reasons relax in their own way. I probably would fall into the second category where I would devise my own ways of relaxation. To begin with, the right ambiance makes a lot of difference especially in unconventional spaces at home like the bathroom and vanity. The space should be soothing and calming the senses which acts as a great stress reliever. One of my creations really helped me to uplift the ambiance. Cheers! 

And the Liebster Award goes to....:)))

All Thanks to Vivek, I got nominated for my first Liebster Award! Its an honour to receive this award for any blogger who shares a passion for blogging. The Libester Award involves nominating a few bloggers you enjoy and follow, posing some questions to them and then encouraging them to post their answers and nominate more bloggers for said award to keep the love going.
It’s a fun way to get to know more about your favourite bloggers better and to recommend new blogs to readers.

 Liebster Award

What is the Liebster Award all about?

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming/new bloggers or who have less than 200 followers. The 'Liebster' word is of German origin and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

How does it work? 

1. Link back to the persons blog who has nominated you and convey thanks for giving the award.
2. Answer all questions posted by the nominator.
3. Nominate 10 more bloggers whom you feel are deserving of more subscribers; you pass the award on to them.
4. Create 10 questions for the nominees.
5. Contact the nominees and let them know that they have been nominated for the Liebster Award!

The Answers to the Questions of my nominator Vivek are:- 

1)  Life full of tough decisions that might pay well (money,satisfaction,happiness) or a life of easy decisions? And why?

Nothing comes easily so definitely life full of tough decisions.

2) Your biggest regret?

I started blogging quite late...should have done much earlier as its so much fun!

3) Cat or dog?

Dog. That was an easy one :)

4) Would you survive a zombie attack? If so describe how.

I think I have already survived a zombie attack since I am among the few who tolerated the entire "Go Goa Gone"!!LOL

5) Do you believe in love at first sight?

I believe in attraction at first sight....love follows!!! ;)

6) You wake up to realize that your entire life so far was just a dream. Your reaction?

O wow! what a wonderful dream...why not go to sleep all over again!

7) First word that comes to your mind on seeing the pattern "--*--*--"

Beep Beep :(

8) The farthest and nearest place in your bucket list.

Farthest: Bahamas

Nearest: Adlabs Imagica

9) What stops you from being what you want to be?

Gravity!! I would have been flying otherwise!

11) Find the mathematical mistake in this post.

Someone missed question number 10!!

Now here are a list of my ten Nominees whom I nominate for Liebster Award:-

Shilpa - http://beingmommee.blogspot.in/
Aditya - http://slip-of-my-tongue.blogspot.in
Veturisarma - http://veturisarma.blogspot.in
Woolgatherer - http://gonewoolgathering.blogspot.in
Words N Me - http://coffeetalkwithbarkha.blogspot.in
Sreesha - http://petrichorandclouds.blogspot.in
Nona - http://nonaspensieve.blogspot.co.uk
Aryan - http://aryanzzblog.wordpress.com
Beyond - http://beyondfewwords.blogspot.in

Jitendra - http://jitendravaswani.wordpress.com

And...My questions for nominees are as follows:-

1. Where does your blogging inspiration come from

2. Which cartoon character do you relate to and why?

3. If you were given 1 lakh rupees to shop in an hour to purchase 5 items, what would be your shopping list?

4. Which one is your pic Friends/How I met your Mother/the Big Bang Theory?

5. Funniest moment of your life?

6. Price of onions per kg in your city?

7. Equities, Real Estate or Fixed income.. which one and why?

8. Black or white?

9. One holiday destination that you never wanna go back again?

10. Your Favourite book?

Enjoy answering the questions to all my nominees! Keep blogging!

Power of Chhota Bheem

"Chhota Bheem" character is an unusual inspiration for the kids today. If you are surrounded by kids in the age group of 2-5 years old, I can bet you can always strike a conversation with them regarding Chhota Bheem. The kids can recall the stories related to him in daily life and love this icon of theirs. Birthday parties themes, door stickers, and merchandise are some of the ways the kids patronize this special character in their life.

Chhota Bheem

During my childhood days, I cherished a secret dream of becoming a cartoonist since I was, and I am still, extremely fond of cartoons. I like to update myself regularly with the latest popular cartoons. The best part about the Chhota Bheem story is that it is depicted in the backdrop of Indian village Dholakpur with modern outlook and right morals which really helps the child imbibe certain morals unconsciously. 

This one is dedicated to my three and half year old niece who is a die hard fan of Chhota Bheem!

Blue Pottery Fascination

I have been extremely fond of blue pottery. I already possess collection of blue pottery from Jaipur and to add to the collection came the Chinese blue  pottery which I recently got during a month long trip to China last month. Well another reason for my absence on my blog besides the unavailability of internet while travelling was shopping! My fetish for tea set collection got boosted in the midst of Chinese ceramics.

Blue and white porcelain dates back to several centuries ago in China when there was a mass production during Yuan Dynasty which passed down to several dynasties in succession. The origin of blue pottery was an amalgamation of Chinese and Islamic trades. The expensive Cobalt blue exported from Persia and the translucent Chinese white porcelain gave rise to excellent quality blue and white wares. The motifs were highly inspired by Chinese dynasties and also Islamic culture. It originated at Jingdezhen centuries back in China and till this day it witnesses the superior quality production of the exquisite blue and white wares. After firing in the kiln at suitable temperature, the decoration is either by hand, by stencilling or transfer printing and other mediums.

The  art  of  glazed  blue  pottery  came  to  India  through  Persia. Rajasthan being the hub of blue pottery, Jaipur  became  a flourishing  center for  blue pottery in the mid 19th century. These days of course blue pottery is available everywhere but the exclusive blue pottery wares found in museums and certain specimens at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur displays fine art and cultural Indian history which is embezzling.

My quest for knowledge about Indian art and culture continues while I pay a humble tribute to discoverers and makers of blue pottery through my artwork.

Blue and White Pottery

My Pets Party

 I really loved my pet dog who passed away a year ago. She had a couple of friends in my neighbourhood and I used to organize pet parties' for her and her friends so that they don't miss out any fun in their life. She was a well groomed pet with a caring attitude. I used to brush her hair and tie ribbons...she was a graceful gurl with a high style quotient and made sure she had all the fancy accessories as she loved wearing all of them...:)

Pets Party

The get together with other pets was always a memorable one with their favourite dishes like biscuits, milk in tea pots served in giant tea cups, sugar free cakes and the list was endless.

My painting is a tribute to her remembering all the great parties and fun!