Suruchi baug

Australian Pine ( suru in Marathi - my mother tongue,) is common across all sea shores in Konkan belt of Maharashtra. The tree grows tall and has needle like leaves . As these trees are found in large number near beach area these spots are know as suruchi baug ( garden).

I had tried painting one such spot on location some time back. Had used dry brushing technique to get effect of those needle like leaves but did not like the end result. Today I have painted same spot with that reference of old painting and avoided dry brushing instead just added few leaves here and there. I left the paper untouched from horizon till landmass to suggest sea.

Yeoor hills

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is spread over large forest area from Borivali ( Mumbai) to Yeoor (Thane). Yeoor hill is restricted area but at the base there are resorts, new weekend bungalows of rich and famous from Mumbai and houses of locals who are there for many years. I liked this spot for those palm trees.

Howz It?

Yesterday our group went to Uttan, Bhaynder, place very close to Mumbai. This is colony of east Indians and there are few very old churches ( about 400 years old).I wanted to leave early as I had some personal work and hence decided do quick painting of one old house instead of the church. This half imperial size painting was done in just about 30 minutes . Would like to know howz it?

Happy Birthday Anshul

While my wife is busy planning celebrations for our son Anshul's fifth birthday , I thought of putting together collage of few of his paintings I have done. These pictures are done at different time from photo reference as its difficult get him pose for even five minutes.
He is leaper born on 29th Feb so we celebrate his birthday according to Hindu lunar calendar if its not leap year. This year its on 17th Feb.

Vasai Fort ruins

Vasai is place very close to Mumbai and can be called extended suburb of Mumbai. This is one place where one can do variety of landscapes including cityscape, seascape, waterscapes, temples , churches. This place was ruled by Portuguese in 15th century and was headquarter of Indian operation then. This place was knows as Bassein. Typical forts in Maharashtra are mountain forts which are about average of 3000 to 5000 feet high but this fort is at sea level . As this was built by Portuguese there are three chapels inside the fort and arches show remains of Portuguese architecture.. This fort was won by Maratha army led by Chimaji Appa in 17th century .
Till year back the entire fort which is spread over acres of land was in very bad shape but archaeology department has cleanewd up all the vegetation and reconstructed some part without disturbing original architecture. ( This is rare knowing that same department has modernize some historical places in name of conservation)