Twenty Shades of Robin

Do-Something-Everyday, June 30, 2016

Ball pen sketches from observations of a couple of robins in the backyard. They stayed perched on a tree stump for several minutes and were so close to where I was standing with my camera that I could not resist taking several pictures. Seeing their many expressions, I had to sketch them. I am planning to rework them into a more formal drawing/painting at some point.

Linked to Paint Party Friday. Thanks for Kristin and Eve for hosting.

Y is for Yellow

Do-Something-Everyday, June 29, 2016

It is letter Y at ABC Wednesday this week. Though Y for yellow is quite trite, I chose it because it is not only my favorite color, I also tend to photograph objects that are yellow. Like the one above which I found at a church parking lot in Banbury, England. Some of the other yellow objects here come from my backyard.

Moving on to other topics, the challenge at Try it on Tuesday is 'I believe I can Fly'. I am submitting the canvas collage below for the challenge. This collage is done using pieces of sari fabric and a original watercolor bird painting.

Thanks for visiting.

Remaking Old into New

Do-Something-Everyday, June 28, 2016

It is called Tangle Remix at the I am the Diva czt. The challenge is to take an old tangle and spruce it up. I did two. The picture at the top is a remix of tiny wood journal cover I did below.

The piece below is a remix of the bottom piece.

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What a Wonderful World

Do-Something-Everyday, June 27, 2016

It is amusing to see how birds stake their claim to a food source. I have observed several resident robins standing protectively around the berry bush when passing migratory birds land on the yard in search of food. I planted this apple tree last year and it is not a fully grown yet. It is producing a small amount of fruits and a group of sparrows have started to park themselves on the branches. Other birds occasionally scope out the tree but the sparrows seem to have secured it.

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Three is Just a Number

Do-Something-Everyday, June 26, 2016

This week's theme at Our Beautiful World is Three. As I was going through my photo folders, I noticed that many of my samples of three came from museum exhibitions and architectural elements. Take a look.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Image-in-ing.

Paper Cut Art: Saffron

Papercut by Indira

Do-Something-Everyday, June 23, 2016

 Saffron, mainly used in the cuisines of India and the Middle East, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus.  Each crocus bears about four flowers, each with three red stigmas known as threads.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

The threads are harvested by hand and dried to be used both as a flavoring and a colorant in food. Each flower produces about twelve threads and about 125 flowers are needed to produce one gram of saffron threads. The labor costs involved in the cultivation and the limited amount produced by the plants are the main reasons for the high cost of saffron. Thankfully, only a small amount is needed to add distinctive flavor and yellow color to food. To make the most of  the small amount of dried saffron, soak it in a few teaspoons of warm milk for a few minutes before adding it just as the dish approaches doneness. When buying saffron, which are sold at all Indian grocery stores, buy a small amount at a time, and store it in the freezer.

I love the taste and the color of saffron and it finds its way in many of the milk based desserts that I make. Below is Eggless Indian Tapioca Pudding topped with threads of saffron.  The complete recipe post is found here.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Paint Party Friday.

View From the Window

Do-Something-Everyday, June 22, 2016

There is nothing wrong in catching a squirrel waking up from its nap and grooming itself. Sometimes, I spend the afternoon this way :).

This is the window in my studio from where I catch the backyard action. Enjoy.

Thanks for visiting.

It is All About Summer

Do-Something-Everyday, June 21, 2016

This is my rendition of the scientific phenomenon known as electromagnetism in a three-dimensional format. The idea for it came after seeing digital rendition of protein molecules in the shape of ribbons, tendrils and corkscrews in the chemistry magazines that my husband, who is a chemist, subscribes to.

Electromagnetism is one of the fundamental forces of nature that regulate the movement of particles. To represent this phenomenon in art form,  I used a stretched canvas, embroidery threads, metallic beads and paints. I edged the borders with a map of the world to emphasize its material aspects.

I am posting this art to celebrate the beginning of summer yesterday which was astronomically a rare event with summer solstice and full moon happening on the same day.

Today is International Yoga Day. Here is elephant Lochanadevi doing her Sun salutation. This box and other yoga art are  available in my Etsy shop . 

With the summer just starting, the rudbeckias are beginning to show their bright faces to the world. They really make me happy.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Art Journal Journey which has Maps as the theme this month.

Monday Morning Art Fix

Do-Something-Everyday, June 20, 2016

For this Monday morning, I am posting two pieces of art. The first one is for I am the Diva czt this week's challenge which is Black, White and Red all over. My kind of color scheme.

The one below is a watercolor of the gorgeous magnolias that have been blooming all this month on my front yard.

The letter this week for ABC Wednesday is X.  It is hard to come up with a word that starts with X. Melanie's X is the symbol for kisses and hugs (XO). Mine is more prosaic. If you ever did a spreadsheet on the computer, you will recognize this logo. Yes, the ubiquitous Microsoft Excel! If you can be excited about this X, you are welcome!


Thanks for visiting. Linked to Paint Party Friday

Old as in Historic

Do-Something-Everyday, June 20, 2016

This week's theme at Our Beautiful World is "Old".  (Also, linked to this week's  Image-in-ing.) I am posting photos of some really "old" (historic) buildings: The Forum, Rome, Italy and the Big Temple, Tanjore, Tamilnadu, India. The buildings of the Forum are ancient; the Big Temple built in the 12th century is relatively young.

Thanks for visiting.