Lotus Pond Series

Finally I get to bring you my first painting series - 'Life in a Lotus Pond'.... Started in the summer of 2016, this is the first time I attempted a series. What is the big deal in painting a series, you may ask.... Making paintings in a series is just meant to be an opportunity for the artist to show how one can play around with an idea, and bring it to form in different ways, while keeping the essential elements intact.

I had been wanting to paint a lotus pond for a long time but not in your usual realistic style - there were already too many of those out there. So I tried a process of layering and detailing, trying to see if I could make it all work together. I didn't want the painting to look noisy and crowded, but I was a little unsure when I started as I had not done something like this before.

As my lotus flowers progressed, I placed an owl on one of the lotus leaves.... and that is where the idea for the series took off!! I wanted to have images of lotus flowers interspersed with the various creatures that one could find in a pond.

It was meant to be a fun series, and I am so happy that that is exactly how it turned out. And then, within an year, something magical happened! I showed my paintings to a dear client-turned-friend and she immediately picked up the first 2 pieces. Next I knew, she commissioned 2 more! I was on a roll... :D

So while I am juggling some more ideas and will be working on more paintings for this series, right now 4 paintings have already found a new home...

...Even as 3 finished paintings are ready and waiting for a wall.

Do let me know how you feel about this first series of mine. There is also another series waiting in the wings but more about that in a later post. In the meanwhile, if you are keen to commission anything on these lines or pick up the available pieces, write in to me at creativerumblings@gmail.com and we can discuss options.

Book Charms Earrings and Necklace Set

For those of you wondering why I had done the disappearing act, I have been nose-deep in maths equations, computer jargon, grammar and likewise. Phew! just got over with the exam season and I sure am a happy mommy. Browsing through some old pictures on my desktop, I came across this little project I did last year and forgot to share with you. So here goes....

Someone approached me to create a sample set of handmade jewellery featuring tiny book charms. It was meant for members of a book club and the client wanted to have paper as the medium. However, we finally settled on polymer clay as a more sturdy material and I created a pair of danglers and a necklace. Must say it was a fun diversion from my usual line of work.

And polymer clay is such an addictive medium. As one gets used to it, moulding pieces becomes that much easier and you can create innumerable designs with it. Needless to say I am already hooked, and have created a few more neck pieces. Watch this space for a reveal soon!

If you are looking at a book charms jewellery set, do write in to me at creativerumblings@gmail.com and place your order. The set is completely customizable - the beads that you see in the pictures here can be replaced by a colour or size of your liking, and the book covers can be changed to your favourite ones too. These jewellery sets will make ideal gifts for young girls, and can even work as return gifts.

Warli Bottles

I have been on a Warli bottle-making spree this last month, with some pending orders and some random pieces for my own stock.

Warli motifs are always great fun to work with. Even though they require a lot of precision, with their stick figures looking blotchy if the contours do not come out well. But Warli motifs are familiar territory for me now since I have done so many bottles with these designs.

Yet every time I make sure to introduce some new motif into each bottle - for my own creative satisfaction more than anything else. No wonder they are some of my hottest selling items! Want to gift one this festive season? Write to me at creativerumblings@gmail.com and set the ball rolling.

Morning Glory

When my client wanted me to dress up a fat, stout bottle with an interesting shape, I racked my brains for a new design. Flipping through my old pictures one day, I spotted the flower that seemed to be the perfect fit for the bottle.


Morning glory flowers with their deep purple-blue hues, so abundant once the rains arrive, peeping out of nooks and crannies... yes, that is what I covered the bottle with.


And to add to the drama and bring in visual relief, I added a butterfly, a dragonfly, and a ladybird for further effect.


What a colourful vista it turned into.... Just looking at this bottle, you can imagine the insects float and fly past, playing hide-n-seek with the morning glory flowers. And if you are lucky, you may even hear their distinct hum... Bbbbzzzzzzz!:)

Coastal Vacation

Summers are here and it is vacation time. Why not head for the coast? This bottle takes you right there.... come away with me on a coastal vacation.

Where the sun shines bright amidst tall palms

An imposing lighthouse stands at the edge of the rocks

And the seagulls brighten the skies with their graceful flight

So have you been on a vacation lately? Are there any special place memories you'd like to cherish?...

...Then get them captured on a bottle, and add them to your decor for posterity. Or gift one to your guests as a takeaway. They'll surely love it!

Warli Village In A New Combo

I recreated a village scene in the Warli style for a recent commission. Traditionally, Warli is done on brown background with white chalk. Click here to know more about this painting style.

But I decided to give the traditional a twist. Since the bottle was black, I felt using white would only seem too predictable. So I went for a pale yellow, and the results are for you to see.

So there is the palm tree, almost representing the Tree of Life in this setting, because most activities happen around it.

The women folk are busy with the household activities like threshing crop and fetching water from the pond.

A celebration and dancing are also depicted in this village idyll.... where humans, birds, and animals co-exist in perfect harmony.

The fish pond is a new element that I added to the village scene, and I am happy with the way it came out. Hope the client is just as pleased! :)