Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Tropical Heart

Tropical Heart watercolor 30x22" by Meera Rao 

This is a full sheet painting I completed some time ago but forgot to post  :) It was in the Peninsula Watercolor society show 2014  and is now at the end of six month hanging at the Hampton Convention center.  This painting was a challenge I took on - to paint full sheet after only sketching in 5x7 sketch books for four months in India! Painting those shadow backgrounds and layering paint on the banana heart was fun. I also learned how much easier the process is if I have all my values figured out ahead -since mostly I paint first and figure out a plan as paint ! I really loved the process and all I can say is that sketching everyday definitely improved my drawing skills!!


"A slow sunny day" watercolor 2.5x6.5" by Meera Rao 


On another note, my painting "The slow sunny day" won 'the award of excellence' at the TAA miniature show -- really surprised and pleased as it is also one of favorite paintings.  I am grateful for the judge for boosting my confidence :) No matter how many times I tell myself  'just paint' there is something to be said about being noticed! 

Just recently I read "The Art Mistakes: Unexpected Painting techniques & the Practice of Creative Thinking"  by Melanie Rothschild.  The book is about losing the fear of mistakes and to have confidence in one's own abilities. I liked what she had to say about creativity  : "Of all places, art is a spot where mistakes should be considered honored guests." I am grateful that a copy of this book was gifted to the Poquoson Public Library  by the Friends of PPL in memory of my mother who was indeed a very creative person. 

16 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Hi Meera, your "Tropical Heart" is so lovely and so different and interesting. These paintings of yours always teach me something new.
Congratulations of your "award of excellence" too. Those slice of life scenes are like the ones I try to paint and I find them so interesting. It's always a joy to visit your blog.

cathyswatercolors said...

Beautiful work! The shadows are worth the work!congratulations on all of the recognition:)

Heera said...

Beautiful work Meera!

padmaja said...

Congrats on the award Meera, the painting really stands out. Love the Tropical heart so much, the precise shadows made it pop out!

Sadami said...

Hi, Meera, your art work gets better and better! This work is so impressive and beautiful. Go, go, Meera!
Best wishes, Sadami

Unknown said...

Beautiful painting! I like what you said about drawing daily and how it's helped you in your painting. I, too, struggle with value contrast, no matter how much I think I've planned ahead. I always end up changing my mind as I see the finished piece unfold. Congrats on the award, that's a beautiful painting!

Haddock said...

Its perfect.
Having seen them actually grow in my hometown, I can see that you have captured every detail of it.
And so is the slow sunny day :-)

hmuxo said...

Congratulations Meera for the award! Very well deserved.
Tropical Heart is a lovely piece...beautiful work!!

Meera Rao said...

Thank you carol! I always appreciate your thoughtful comments!

Meera Rao said...

Yes, Cathy, you are so right :) Thanks for stopping by!

Meera Rao said...

@heera, Thank you :)

Meera Rao said...

Padmaja, Thank you! It was a fun painting to work on :)

Meera Rao said...

Sadami, Thank you so very much -- It means a lot to me !

Meera Rao said...

Katherine, I agree with you! and I am grateful I am slowly getting better at capturing the values! Thanks for your wonderful support!

Meera Rao said...

@Haddock, Thank you! it warms my heart that the painting brought back child hood memories for you:) I appreciate your comments!

Meera Rao said...

@hmuxo, Thanks! Always a pleasure to hear from you :)

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