Hot About Chili Peppers

Red Peppers in Glass Bowl color pencils by Meera Rao

My color pencil piece 'Red Peppers in Glass Bowl' was selected for "Food For Thought"  show sponsored by the Capitol Hill Art League. I am grateful that Juror Bonny Wolf  has helped me to be a part of the DC area artists as we slowly make a home there.  The peppers were from our garden a few summers ago and though it took me quite while to complete, it was a fun piece to work on.  I really loved combining the abstract and realistic style in same painting.  

By the way here is a fun fact from a Smithsonian article "Whats so hot about Chili Peppers"  : According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American now consumes 5.9 pounds of chilies a year, more than the per capita consumption of asparagus, cauliflower or green peas.

If you happen to be in DC area before April 16,  please do stop by and enjoy the show :) 

Most Magical Love

Just Arrived watercolor by Meera Rao

Almost a year after the bundle of joy arrived, I finally got around to painting my newest grandchild. It was pure joy to paint and I wondered why I was hesitating for so long!  The First grandchild still steals my heart but this little one has me completely smitten and in love all over again :)  Who knew grandchildren give you totally new perspective on life ! 

Nature's Calligraphy

Nature's Calligraphy Photography by Meera Rao 

nature's calligraphy 

  brushed with morning glow 

glazed by soft mist

whispering 

a veiled secret

~Meera Rao~  

Sound Reflections

Sound Reflections 3 watercolor by Meera Rao

Procession of people full of exuberance, in colorful costumes, playing music with shiny instruments stopped me on my tracks.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the first thing I noticed were all those reflections in the instruments. I was fascinated how the colors and reflections vibrated on the polished metals.  The need to capture the moment was immediate  :)

Sound Reflections 2 watercolor on hot press by Meera Rao 

These are two miniatures I painted along with Sound Reflections1  All three were in the  "Small Works- Miniatures by the Tidewater Artists " show at the Charles Taylor Arts Center in Hampton from Oct 25-Nov 30 2014.  

If you wait for inspiration you'll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.

~Ben Nicholas

"Catoptric Bends of Lighted Sound"

Sound Reflections 1 color pencils 4"x4" by Meera Rao 

This is one of my three pieces that was selected for the "Small Works- Miniatures by the Tidewater Artists " show at the Charles Taylor Arts Center in Hampton from Oct 25-Nov 30 2014. ( I know I am way late in posting! )  Poets were invited to write a poem inspired by the artworks in the exhibition and the Arts Center hosted a poetry reading on Oct 30th in the galleries. Below is the poem by Dave Lego and I am thrilled that my piece inspired him  :)  The link on the title of the poem should take you to the audio recording of the poet reading his creation.  Please let me know if the link does not work -- I have been working on embedding mp3 links on my blog which has been harder than I imagined.  My heartfelt thanks to Dave  for this poem.  

Sound Reflections 1

catoptric bends of lighted sound
golds and bronze, greens and blues
bright brassy banded all around
a field marches to rousing hues

hear the crowd in white-bleached stands
hear teenagers shouting loud approval
hear percussion, horns, marching band
hear Americana just being youthful

batons spin air from majorettes
pom-poms shaking pretty cheerleaders
believing it's as good as it gets
with play-by-play from a loudspeaker

half-time show a steeped tradition
for a hundred years or thereabouts
you may think of a better addition
but truth is, i have my doubts

© Dave Lego 2014-11-25

ekphrastic for 2014-11-30 at
the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
for Meera Rao's "Sound Reflections 1"

Endings and Beginnings

Photography by Meera Rao 

While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity,

 in today's language of flowers

 red, white or pink poinsettias, the December  flower, 

symbolize good cheer and success

and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration. 

So here's to endings and beginnings !