Happy New Year folks, and a Roundup of (blog-year) 2014

Wish you a sparkling new year 

filled with positive, creative energy! 

Spread love and cheer as you go, 

and may your dreams have wings!

And Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, for hanging out with A Sunny Yellow Window every now 'n then. 

I promise to bring you the best of what my right-brain can conceive and curate in 2015 and the years to come :-)

Here's a round-up of 2014 with a few old posts you might still find relevant and useful:

7 Reasons Why Creative Entrepreneurs Must Have a Social Media Strategy

Wood-Block Art DIY

An ode to the Leather and Fabric duo

Frida Kahlo - a face that launched a thousand products

Transforming Spaces with Art - Aradhana Anand's gorgeous Delhi home

Designing a room around Artwork

Transforming Spaces with Art: 8 Creative Ways to Display Art

And in case you are planning your travel to these places and need ideas on artisan visits:

Craft Tour: Mask Making in Sri Lanka

A Bohemian Home Tour - a gem of a place to stay in Colombo

Beautiful remnants of colonialism in Sri Lanka

11 Must-Do Textile Tours and Craft Tours in India

Art & Artisans of Fez & Asilah: Morocco on my mind

Signing off for the year,
ambika.

The Evolution of a Canvas - Gypsy and Deer - New Artwork update!

A blank canvas is intimidating and exciting at the same time. 

When you start off, there are a riot of ideas in your head which spin and swirl and do the somersault with every stroke of the brush on the canvas.
Several coffee breaks and iterations later, you decide to call it Done.
In fact, it is never Done, it can evolve as long as the canvas stays with you. Calling it complete is often a tough call to make. Have you felt the same way too?

I definitely prefer it that way though - just as in life - a broad layout to start with, and then set off on an adventure. Chuck guided-tours!

Thought it better to show you my canvas from start to finish in this quick animated-gif.

Midway, I tried to bring in other aspects of this gypsy's life, but finally chose to keep it just to this precious moment between Man and Nature.

A moment in her day when she chooses to pause and befriend a deer that crosses her path.

Gypsy and Deer. Ambika Sudhakaran, 2014

This happens to be the second in my series of Gypsy art.

See the first here - Flower Gypsy.

Art Journal Exploits Prompt #6 - LEAF

I think this prompt has endless possibilities. Even as I type, I can picture it being represented in a zillion beautiful ways.

I painted/journaled it this way!

 

She shares secrets with the leaves and the wind.

A happy rest-of-the-week folks!

Color Blocking for Summer, and Art Journal Exploits Prompt #5

Summer doesn't sizzle as much here in pleasant Bangalore as in various other places in the tropics. However color blocking with summery hues and Juicy Watermelons are definitely on top of my mind.

I put it down on canvas today...

Juicy, yes!

Alrighty, Your Art Journal Exploits Prompt #5 is

Summer! 

Tell me what is top-of-your-mind when you hear "Summer"

Art Journal Exploits - Prompt #2 - Portrait

I exchanged some interesting notes, and got to meet (virtually) a lot of creatives who journal their heart out! A truly enthusiastic bunch of them linked up with some wonderful pages, and I am glad we got it rolling! I hope this has been of help in getting atleast some of you to reach for your journals! :-) Click here to reach prompt #1 and see the journal pages linked up!

And, 

This week (March 17-23), let's go for

Portraits

To see the rest of the prompts go here.

And this is what I have to share with you folks, the first time I ever let my paint brush lead me, instead of the other way round. I like it this way!
I usually just "color within the lines".

I let all the colors run down and meet at the very bottom... my way of saying - She is one with Nature.

Pleased to update that this 8*8 inch artwork is now Sold. 

Now, I'll wait for your versions of Portraits.
Have a good week ahead!

Gypsy Woman - New Artwork

A free-spirited traveller, born to be a nomad.
There definitely is more to her than just travelling around...
She dabbles in making music, creating art, foretelling fortunes, tattooing,
and even journalism as does a modern-day Gypsy.

Here is my whimsical interpretation of a moment in a Gypsy woman's day
when she pauses to pick up and wear flowers,
before getting back to her chores and her journey.

Frida inspired, for sure!

Gypsy woman

This piece is Sold.

Critique is most welcome! Pls send me an email (ambika.kolangarakath@gmail.com) to add you to the mailing list announcing any new artwork for sale.

Wall Art - Wielding my paintbrush

When the urge to paint took over me!

This one's in watercolor, I credit my inspiration to a painting of artist Gregory Alexander.

Here, using just colour pencils, I recreated a watercolour painting of artist Dennis Roxby Bott.

I have linked this post to A Few of my Favorite Things, the KeyBunch February Carnival, ColorsDekor Weekend Wrap-up, A stroll through Life and to the Paint Party @Domestically Speaking!