The Journey since 2004. 12:44

The above paintings are from the year 2004, they are a part of my first exhibition that took place in Ahmedabad.

Then slowly horses started to show up. A lot of people call it Hussain inspired, but I guess the roots were laid at CEPT- watching Piraji Sagara paint a lot of horses.

2006 is when I started playing with my strokes and having a better understanding of acrylics as a medium.

From horses to spirituality was the major theme in the year 2007.

2008 was a phase of uncertainity. The only painting I did this year was a few commisions.

The ones above are all in this year. 2009 still has a month left- let's see what it has in store!

Life is in details 13:10

Its November again.

This time of the year I always start wrapping up the yearly planner that sits on my table. Its always nice to look at how the year been. The targets that were picked up and the to- do lists that were made- what exactly has happened to the plans!

One of the key learnings for this year is- abstraction is meant for the canvas and not the plans of life.

I know- this is the thing that I have read all over and attended seminars in. It took me some time to put all of it in a personal koan- Don't be Vague!

It never helps :)

Define O mortal 13:47

As I introduced myself to a middle aged, seemingly successful businessman to kill time, the question took shape again. This man, whom I had just met sometime ago because we happened to be travelling together, made me regret that I had smiled and said hello. I should have never let the book go back in the bag. Shit!

What sort of paintings do you make?

This was the second time. He wants to drill me on this one. Okay, lets face it.

Me: What sort of paintings, as in....?

Him: Do you make landscapes or portraits?

This is the point the where I wish I can turn invisible. What happened this time was what happens most of the times. I blurt a few words, followed by a few questions and a bit more of blabbering from me till the audience I have starts talking of a particular artist they either know or, some rich relative having bought a few paintings. Useless clatter.

What can I explain about my art when I don't know how to classify it myself. Cubism has inspired me the way sculpture has. A lot of people simply start looking for the closest association a painting can have to a period, style or artist and immediately call the painter either inspired from or, a follower of the same. If that is the case, I am a multi layered, multi dimensional residue of the generations of art the world has seen.

Most of my paintings can never be directly linked to a certain genre or style. The watercolors that I apply are not the same as taught in most of the art schools. The same applies for acrylics and even drawing figures. I have been branded a stunt man by few and naive by others.

My efforts simply are in painting, keeping alive the love for my profession- always. As far as styling of art is concerned, I would love to throw at them a few super complicated terms to define the undefinable.

Any ideas?

As of now... 15:15

The open skies call

I hold firmly to my chains

Reasons and more of them

Parading with the Bulls! 20:27

There is one dimension to this artist that provides  a sort of meditative inputs to the grey cells- riding my Bullet!

Usually, I prefer to just be with my bike. Enjoying the experience with the signature thump of the Bullet matching the pace of my thoughts. The ride is like a chant, focusing on the road with a void that builds along with the speed, slowly u exist no more- its just the journey and the thump of the engine.

I usually looked at team trips as something that were more to satiate the ego than to enjoy the ride. Now, I have a different opinion.

"Bulls on Parade", a bullet gang in Gurgaon invited me for a small bike trip to the Aravalis with them. I happen to know Nishant, or Che as he likes to be called. So, I joined them for a simple reason of a Bike Ride. 

Talk of Bullets, and usually one meets a ego-centric dude who thinks that He is the King of the Road while the rest of the public is nothing but goons. People discuss the speed they travel in and all the stuff that compliments a super-macho image. Bones, booze and heavy rock!

I was pleasantly surprised to find people riding simply for the love of riding a Bullet. Another highlight was the way no one forces you to travel in a certain way that is supposed to be a group philosophy. The rules were pretty simple- Follow ur own pace, stay as a team and most important- enjoy the ride! (which I definitely did)

All the riders with their machines

That's Negi- a member of the group who is getting relocated to Bangalore. The team dedicated this trip to him, calling it the "Farewell to Negi trip". That just reflects the warmth for each member of the team I guess!

This is where we all chose to get framed!

From Delhi to Pune. 14:49

Pune heard the Aawaz of Street Art this December.

There shall be another post on how and what happened.

Thanks to the Joshi family for their support.

Aawaz-From painting public walls to painting backyards 01:50

This weekend, the activity shifted to Greenwoods City, Gurgaon.

Around 15 kids, 3 hours and Sarandeep Grover gave way to a transformed backyard- That's the magic of Street Art. Take it to your backyard and the space transforms from a place that is hardly used to a place to throw parties!

Thanks to Mrs. and Mr. Jain for giving us this opportunity to paint their walls.